COMPACTION

COMPACTION OF SOILS
Compaction is a process by which the soil particles arc artificially rearranged and packed together into a
closer state of contact by mechanical means in order to decrease the porosity (or voids ratio) of the soil and
thus increase its dry density.
Primary difference
ifference between Compaction & Consolidation
Sr.
Compaction Consolidation
No.
Expulsion of pore air Expulsion of pore water
2 Soil involved is partially saturated Soil involved is fully

ully saturated soil
Applies to cohesive as well as cohesionless
3 Applies to cohesive soils only
soils
Brought about by artificial or human Brought about by application of load or by
4
agency natural agencies
5 Dynamic loading is commonly applied Static loading is commonly applied
Improves bearing power and settlement Improves bearing power and settlement
6
characteristics characteristics
7 Rapid process Gradual process
Relatively complex phenomenon involving
8 expulsion, compression, and dissolution of Relatively simple phenomenon
pore air-in water
Useful primarily in earth dams
dams, canal, Useful as a means of improving the
9
embankments, highways, runways, etc, properties of foundation soil
Features of a Compaction Curve
A compaction curve is plotted between the water content as abscissa and the corresponding dry
density as ordinate:
Figure. Compaction Curve.
It is observed that the dry density initially increases with an increase in water content till the maximum
density [(ρd)max] is attained.
With further
rther increase in water content, the dry density decreases.
The water content corresponding to the maximum dry density is known as the optimum water content
(O.W.C.) or the optimum moisture content (O.M.C.).
It has been seen by laboratory

tory experiments that as the water content is increased, the compacted density goes
on increasing, till a maximum dry density is achieved after which further addition of water decreases the
density.
The bulk density and the corresponding dry density for tthe
he compacted soil may be calculated from the
following relationships:
ρ= (gm/cc)
ρd = (gm/cc)
Where,
M= mass of wet compacted specimen (gm)
w = water content
V= volume of the mould = 1000 ml (approx.)
Proctor Mould
Fig. Proctor Mould.

Difference
ifference between Standard Proctor Test (or Light Compaction Test)
Test
& Modified Proctor Test (or Heavy Compaction Test)
Test
Modified Proctor Test

Standard Proctor Test
Features (or Heavy Compaction Test
(or Light Compaction Test)
or modified AASHO-test)
AASHO
AASHO
Standardised by Proctor (1933) (American Association of State
Highway Officials)
I.S. Codes IS : 2720 (Part 7)-1980 IS : 2720 (Part 8)-1983
100 mm dia. 100 mm dia.
× 127.3 mm height × 127.3 mm height
(Small mould) (Small mould)
Mould dimensions =
150 mm (#) dia.
Nil × 127.3 mm height
(Large
Large mould)
mould
1000 ml (Small mould) 1000 ml (Small mould)
Volume of mould =
Nil 2250 ml (Large
( mould)
Mass of rammer = 2.6 kg 4.89 kg
Free drop of rammer = 310 mm 450 mm
Number of layers for compaction = Three equal layers Five equal layers
Number of blows for each layer = 25 blows (Small mould) 25 blows (Small mould)
Nil 56 blows (Large
( mould)
Compactive Effort (C.E.) = 593 kJ/m3 2700 kJ/m3
# If the percentage of soil retained on a 4.75 mm sieve is more than 20%, the larger mould of 150 mm
internal diameter,, effective height of 127.3 mm and capacity 2250 ml is used.
In this case, 56 blows are required for each layer. The rest of the procedure is similar to that in the standard
Proctor test.
Compactive Effort (C.E.) [or Compaction Energy]
Compactive effort is the total energy, expressed as kilo-Newton-meters per cubic meter (or kJ/m3), used to
compact the specimen.
. × . × ×
C.E. =
× ×( . × . ) × .
C.E.]Standard = ×
= 593.0145 kJ/m3 ≅ 593 kJ/m3
× ×( . × . ) × .
C.E.]Modified = ×
= 2698.363125 kJ/m3 ≅ 2700 kJ/m3
Hence,
. .]
. .]
= ≅ 4.55
Factors Affecting Compaction
The various factors which affect the compacted density are as follows :
(i) water content
(ii) amount & type of compaction
(iii) method of compaction
(iv) type of soil
(v) addition of admixtures.
(i) Water content
A compaction curve is plotted between the water content as abscissa and the corresponding dry density as
ordinate:
Figure. Compaction Curve.
It is observed that the dry density initially increases with an increase in water content till the maximum
density [(ρd)max] is attained.
With further
rther increase in water content, the dry density decreases.
The water content corresponding to the maximum dry density is known as the optimum water content
(O.W.C.) or the optimum moisture content (O.M.C.).
It has been seen by laboratory experiments that as the water content is increased, the compacted density goes
on increasing, till a maximum dry density is achieved after which further addition of water decreases the
density.
The bulk density and the corresponding dry density for the compacted soil may be calculated from the
following relationships:
ρ= (gm/cc)
ρd = (gm/cc)
Where,
M= mass of wet compacted specimen (gm)
w = water content
V= volume of the mould = 1000 ml (approx.)
(ii) Amount & type of compaction
The effect of increasing the compaction energy results in an increase in the maximum dry density and
decrease in the optimum
ptimum water content as shown below:
Fig. Compaction Curves

rves of Standard Proctor Test and Modified Proctor Test.
(iii) Method of compaction
The density obtained during compaction, for a given soil, greatly depends upon the type of compaction or
the manner in which the compactive effort is applied.
The various variables in this aspect are:
* weight of the compacting equipment
* the manner of operation such as dynamic or impact, static, kneading or rolling
* time and area of contact between the compacting element and the soil.
(iv) Type of soil
The maximum dry density achieved corresponding to a given compactive energy largely depends upon the
type of soil.
Well graded coarse-grained
grained soils attain a much higher density and lower optimum water contents then fine
grained soils which require more water for lubrication because of the greater specific surface.
Fig. Compaction Curves for Different Soils.
Fig. Soil Structure in Compacted Soils.
Flocculated Structure Dispersed (or Oriented) Structure

(v) Addition of admixtures
The compaction characteristics of the soils are improved by adding other materials, known as admixtures.
The most commonly used admixtures are lime, cement and bitumen.
The dry density achieved depends upon the type and amount of admixtures.
Effect of Compaction on Properties of Soils
The main aim of compacting a soil is to improve some desirable properties of the soil, such as:
* Reduction of
- compressibility
- water absorption
- permeability.
* Increase in
- soil strength,
- bearing capacity, etc.
* Change in swelling and shrinkage characteristics.

[The dry of optimum: when the water content is less than the optimum,
The wet of optimum: when the water content is more than the optimum]
The effect of compaction on various soil properties is discussed below:
(1) Change in structure of soil

(2) Permeability
(3) Shrinkage
(4) Swelling
(5) Pore pressure
(6) Compressibility
(7) Stress-strain characteristics
(8) Shear strength.
(1) Change in structure of soil
Fig. Soil Structure in Compacted Soils.
Flocculated Structure Dispersed (or Oriented) Structure
Soils compacted at a water content less than the optimum water content generally have a flocculated
structure, regardless of the method of compaction.
Soils compacted at a water content more than the optimum water content usually have a dispersed structure
if the compaction induces large shear strains and a flocculated structure if the shear strains are relatively
small.
(2) Permeability
The permeability of a soil decreases with an increase in water content on the dry side of the optimum water
content.
The minimum permeability occurs at or slightly above the optimum water content.
(3) Shrinkage
Soils compacted dry of the optimum shrink less on drying compared with those compacted wet of the
optimum.
The soils compacted wet of the optimum shrink more because the soil particles in the dispersed structure
have nearly parallel orientation of particles and can pack more efficiently.
(4) Swelling
A soil compacted dry of the optimum water content has high water deficiency and more random orientation
of particles.
As a result, it consumes more water than the sample compacted wet of the optimum, and has, therefore,
more swelling.
(5) Pore pressure
A sample compacted dry of the optimum has low water content.
The pore water pressure developed for the soil compacted dry of the optimum is therefore less than that for
the same soil compacted wet of the optimum.
(6) Compressibility
The flocculated structure developed on the dry side of the optimum offers greater resistance to compression
than the dispersed structure on the wet side.
As a result, the soils on the dry side are less compressible.
(7) Stress-strain characteristics
The soils compacted dry of the optimum have a steeper stress
stress-strain
strain curve than those on the wet side.
Fig. Stress-Strain Curves of soil.

(8) Shear Strength
The shear strength of compacted clays depend upon
* dry density
* moulding water content
* soil structure
* method of compaction
* strain used to defined strength
* drainage condition
* type of soil.
Fig. Failure envelopes of soil.
In general, at low strains, strength of cohesive soils compacted dry of optimum is higher than those
compacted wet of optimum.
*****
Compaction of Sands
Fig. Compaction Curve for Cohesionless Soil.
In case of pure sandy soils, the effect of water content on the dry density is not well defined when the water
content is below the optimum value.
Generally, the dry density decreases with an increase in the water content in this range.The dry density
decreases due to capillary tension in pore water.
The capillary tension resists the tendency of soil particles to take a dense state and hence the volume
increases.
The phenomenon is known as the bulking of sand.
The maximum bulking occurs at a water content of ab

about 4% to 5%.
For sandy soils, the compaction curve is of little practical use.

For such soils, the relative density is used as a criterion for measurement of compactness (or denseness).
The dry density of the sand is measured in the embankment and its relative density is determined if the dry
densities in the loosest and densest states are known.

COMPACTION

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

COMPACTION

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

COMPACTION

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

COMPACTION OF SOILS

2 Soil involved is partially saturated Soil involved is fully

Figure. Compaction Curve.

It has been seen by laboratory

Fig. Proctor Mould.

Modified Proctor Test

Figure. Compaction Curve.

Fig. Compaction Curves

Fig. Compaction Curves for Different Soils.

Fig. Soil Structure in Compacted Soils.

Flocculated Structure Dispersed (or Oriented) Structure

* Change in swelling and shrinkage characteristics.

The effect of compaction on various soil properties is discussed below:

(1) Change in structure of soil

Fig. Soil Structure in Compacted Soils.

Flocculated Structure Dispersed (or Oriented) Structure

Fig. Stress-Strain Curves of soil.

The shear strength of compacted clays depend upon

* moulding water content

* strain used to defined strength

Fig. Failure envelopes of soil.

Fig. Compaction Curve for Cohesionless Soil.

The phenomenon is known as the bulking of sand.

The maximum bulking occurs at a water content of ab

For sandy soils, the compaction curve is of little practical use.

You might also like