FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ECV 3303
SOIL MECHANICS II
SEMESTER 2 2013/2014

TITLE : COMPACTION TEST

DATE OF PRACTICAL : 5 MARCH 2015
GROUP NO. : 10
NO.

NAME

1.

MATRIC
NUNBER
175360

2.

174250

MOHAMMAD NASRUL BIN CHE WAHAB

3.

175710

OSCAR CHIN CHEN HENG

4.

174518

MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ IKMAL BIN ABDUL WAHAB

5.

176034

WAN NURULHUDA HANIM BT WAN MOHAMAD

6.

170422

LIU JUNXIN

AHMAD ZAIM HARITH BIN BIBUDIN

LECTURER : DR. HASLINDA BINTI NAHAZANAN

TEACHING ASSISTANT : MS. KIMBERLY ANAK JAYUM
TECHNICIAN : EN. MOHD RAZALI ABDUL RAHMAN
DATE OF SUBMISSION : 12 MARCH 2015

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Table of Contents
WORK OF SCHEDULE................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 1 : Type of Soil Particles................................................................................................ 4
OBJECTIVES................................................................................................................................ 5
PROCEDURE................................................................................................................................ 6
EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS.............................................................................................................. 9
RESULT & CALCULATION........................................................................................................... 11
Table 1.................................................................................................................................... 11
Table 2.................................................................................................................................... 11
Graph 1 : Graph shows relationship betwwen dry density and moisture content...........................................14
DISCUSSION.............................................................................................................................. 15
RECOMMENDATION................................................................................................................... 16
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................. 17
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................. 18
APPENDICES.............................................................................................................................. 19
Figure 2 : Weighting the sample of compacted soil..............................................................................19
Figure 3 : Putting the sample into the oven........................................................................................ 19
Figure 4 : Compacted soil in a mould............................................................................................... 20
Figure 5 : Stir the soil with water.................................................................................................... 20
Figure 6 : Soil is compacted.......................................................................................................... 21
Figure 7 : Weighting compacted soil................................................................................................ 21

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WORK OF SCHEDULE
ITEMS

NAME

GROUP MEMBERS
MATRIC NO.

Front Cover, Table of Content,

List of Figure, List of Table,
Work of Schedule.
Introduction, Objectives
Apparatus, Methodology
Result & Calculation
Discussion, Recommendation
Appendices, Conclusion,
References

Zaim Harith

175360

Syafiq Ikmal
Mohammad Nasrul
Huda Hanim
Oscar Chin

174518
174250
176034
175710

Liu Junxin

170422

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INTRODUCTION
Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing pore space between them (Figure
1). Heavily compacted soils contain few large pores and have a reduced rate of both water infiltration and
drainage from the compacted layer. This occurs because large pores are the most effective in moving water
through the soil when it is saturated. In addition, the exchange of gases slows down in compacted soils,
causing an increase in the likelihood of aeration-related problems. Finally, while soil compaction increases
soil strength-the ability of soil to resist being moved by an applied force-a compacted soil also means that
roots must exert greater force to penetrate the compacted layer.
Soil compaction changes pore space size, distribution, and soil strength. One way to quantify the change is
by measuring the bulk density. As the pore space is decreased within a soil, the bulk density is increased.
Soils with a higher percentage of clay and silt, which naturally have more pore space, have a lower bulk
density than sandier soils.

Figure 1 : Type of Soil Particles

The Proctor compaction test is a laboratory method of experimentally determining the optimal moisture
content at which a given soil type will become most dense and achieve its maximum dry density. The term
Proctor is in honor of R. R. Proctor, who in 1933 showed that the dry density of a soil for a given
compactive effort depends on the amount of water the soil contains during soil compaction. His original test
is most commonly referred to as the standard Proctor compaction test; later on, his test was updated to create
the modified Proctor compaction test.

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OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this lab are ;
1. To determine the optimal moisture content at which a given soil type will become most dense and
achieve its maximum dry density.
2. To demonstrate proctor method which is learned in the class.

SOIL MECHANICS II

PROCEDURE
No
.
1.

Procedure

The soil sample is air dried and sieved

through BS 20mm sieve. Gravel content

2.

in the sample is recorded.

3kg of the soil sample is weighed on the

3.

weighing machine.
210ml of water is added to the soil
sample which is about 7% from its
moisture content.

4.

The mould and the base plate is weighed

and labeled with M1

5.

The soil was compacted inside the mould

with 3 layers, with each layer was
compacted using rammer with falling
free height of 450mm for about 27
blows. The excess soil that protrude
above the mould is removed to a level

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Picture of the process

SOIL MECHANICS II

soil surface using metal edge.

6.

The mould with the compacted soil is

weighed and labeled with M2.

7.

The sampling cans is weighed and

labeled.

8.

The compacted soil in the mould is

removed and placed in the metal tray.
Three different sample from the top,
bottom and middle of the soil is taken for
moisture content determination purposes
and is placed in the sampling can.

9.

The sampling can is weighed with the

soil sample in it.

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10.

The remaining sample of the soil is

added with 150ml of water which is
about 5% of its moisture content. The
test is repeated for 5 times.

11.

The sampling can is oven dried for about

24 hours.

12.

The oven dried sampling cans is weighed

and the data is recorded.

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EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS
No
Equipment
.
1.

Cylindrical mould

Description

Cylindrical mould of dimensions

105mm internal diameter, internal
height 115.5mm, and volume
1000cm.

The mould is used to place the soil

that will be compacted.

2.

Rammer

The rammer of dimensions 50mm

diameter, 4.5kg weight and free
fall height of 450mm.

Rammer is used to compact the

soil sample in the cylindrical
mould.

3.

Pallete knife

Pallete knife is used to mix the soil

sample with water.

SOIL MECHANICS II

4.

Metal tray

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Metal tray is used to mix the soil

with water.

5.

Metal edge

Metal edge is used to remove

excess soil that protrude above the
mould. It is also used to level the
soil samples surface.

6.

Sampling can

Sampling can is used to place the

soil sample to be oven dried.

7.

Measuring cylinder

Measuring cylinder is used to

measure the volume of water to be
added to the soil.

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RESULT & CALCULATION

Based on the experiment that has been implemented, we obtained the results as follow :
Test No.
Weight of mould + moist
soil, M2 (g)
Weight of mould, M1 (g)
Weight of moist soil,
M2-M1 (g)
Bulk density, (M2M1)/1000 (Mg/m)

6757

6785

6861

7125

7036

5137

5137

5137

5137

5137

1620

1648

1724

1988

1899

1.62

1.65

1.72

1.99

1.90

Table 1
Container No.

63.33

66.01

59.26

66.50

73.71

60.17

60.89

53.54

57.94

62.63

Weight of container (g)

14.46

14.37

13.77

14.53

14.10

Weight of dry soil (g)

45.71

46.52

39.77

43.41

48.53

Weight of water (g)

3.16

5.12

5.72

8.56

11.08

Moisture content, w (%)

11

14

19

23

1+w

1.07

1.11

1.14

1.19

1.23

1.51

1.48

1.51

1.67

1.54

Weight of moist soil +

container (g)
Weight of dry soil +
container (g)

Dry density,

rd

= r/

(1+w) (Mg/m)

Table 2

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1. The weight of mould + moist soil and the weight of mould itself are taken at the soil laboratory and
from the reading, the weight of moist soil can be obtained where:
Weight of moist soil = (Weight of mould + moist soil) (Weight of mould)
2. From the value of the weight of moist soil, the bulk density can be obtained by using the formula
below:
Bulk density, = (Weight of mould + moist soil) (Weight of mould) / 1000
3. The moist soils are then being placed inside the oven for 24 hours in order to measure the water
content inside the soils. The weights of water are obtained by subtracting the weight of moist soil +
container and weight of dry soil + container.
4. Next, the percentages of the moisture content are calculated by dividing the weight of water and
weight of dry soil and thus, the values of dry density may also be gained where;
Dry density,

rd

= (Weight of mould + moist soil) (Weight of mould)

1000 (1+moisture content)

5. The graph of moisture content versus dry density is then plotted in order to obtain maximum dry
density and optimum moisture content.
6. The air void lines are plotted for three conditions which are 0%, 5% and 10%.
7. After getting the compaction curve as well as the air void lines, the values of maximum dry density
and the optimum moisture content may be gained.

Table below depicts the values of the air void for the conditions of 0%, 5% and 10%. The calculation
of the zero air void condition as well as 5% and 10% is getting by using the formula respectively:

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i.

For zero air void condition

Gs. w
d =
1+ w .Gs

ii.

For 5% and 10% air void condition

Gs . w (1
d =

Gs=2.7

( 100a ))

1+ w .Gs

w =1000

kg
m3

w=Moisture content

a=510

0% Air Void

5% Air Void

10% Air Void

2.27

2.16

2.04

2.08

1.98

1.87

1.96

1.86

1.76

1.78

1.75

1.61

1.67

1.58

1.5

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Relationship between Dry Density and Moisture Content for Soils

2.45

2.25

2.05

1.85

1.65
0% Air Void
Dry density (Mg/m)

5% Air Void

1.45

10% Air Void

Compaction Curve

1.25

1.05

0.85

0.65

0.45
6

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

Moisture content (% )

Graph 1 : Graph shows relationship betwwen dry density and moisture content
Hence;
Gs: 2.7
Maximum dry density: 1.67 Mg/m
Optimum moisture content: 19%

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DISCUSSION
In this laboratory experiment, we were exposed to practical way of determining the relationship between dry
density and moisture content for soil through soil compaction test. Firstly, data were obtained
experimentally. Then, data are calculated and result is plotted into a graph. The graphs obtained were then
compared to theoretical graph.
Initially, the bulk density obtained show an increment as water content in the soil increased until test
number 5 which show a slope downward. Meanwhile, after the dry density result is calculated and plotted on
a graph, the result fluctuates at around 11% water content . Theoretically, it was supposed to be parabolic
curve which open downward.
This can be explained as water is added to a soil at low moisture contents, it becomes easier for the particles
to move past one another during compaction. The soil were more compacted, the voids are reduced and this
causes the dry density to increase. As the water content increases, the soil particles develop larger water
films around them.
This increase in dry density continues till a stage where water starts to occupy the space that could have
been occupied by the soil grains. Thus the water at this stage hinders the closer packing of grains and
reduces the dry unit weight. The maximum dry density occurs at an optimum water content, and their values
3
can be obtained from the plot. The maximum dry density of 1.674 Mg/ m

can is obtained at optimum

moisture content of 19%.

The graph plotted is slightly incorrect as compared to theoretical graph. This might occur due to several
errors. First each soil test with different water content is not compacted with the same strength. All members
of our group take turns in doing the compaction for every different water content, this might cause the
strength of compaction varies from one test to another. Secondly, it was raining during our experiment which
is being carry out outside the laboratory. This can lead to a higher actual water content in our soil sample
than we have recorded. Finally, the soil not being evenly compacted can also lead to a bias in the result.
There are several precautionary steps that can be taken in order to improve the experiment. This experiment
should be carry out inside the laboratory. Compaction should be done by only one member to ensure
compaction strength is constant for each soil test.

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RECOMMENDATION
There are several precautionary steps that can be taken in order to improve the experiment. First of all, this
experiment should be carry out inside the laboratory to avoid any effect that might occur due to the
surrounding for instance weather.
Next, compaction should be done by only one person to ensure that soil sample in each test is compacted
with the same strength. Finally, the soil must be compacted evenly throughout the surface for a maximum
compaction effect on the soil.

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CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, we managed to determine the air void in each percentage which is 0%, 5% and 10%.
Besides that, we also managed to determine the Optimum Moisture Content of 16.35% with the calculated
maximum dry density of 1.726Mg/m3. The compaction curve is for making the optimum density as close as
the zero-air-void as possible on 5%. So, we able to have gone through this experiment successfully.

SOIL MECHANICS II

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REFERENCES
o Youventharan Duraisamy. 2009. Soil Mechaniccs Laboratory Manual. University Malaysia
Pahang.
o Bujang B.K Huat. Faisal Hj. Ali. 1995. Essential Soil Mechanics. Universiti Putra Malaysia
Press.
o Concrete-catalogue. Retrieved on October 21, 2011 from http://www.concretecatalog.com/soil_compaction.html

SOIL MECHANICS II

APPENDICES

Figure 2 : Weighting the sample of compacted soil

Figure 3 : Putting the sample into the oven

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SOIL MECHANICS II

Figure 4 : Compacted soil in a mould

Figure 5 : Stir the soil with water

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Figure 6 : Soil is compacted

Figure 7 : Weighting compacted soil

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