Experiment #9

Standard Test Method for Determining Moisture Unit

Weight Relations of Soil (Compaction Test)
[ASTM D 698]



I. Apparatus and Supplies

1) Drying Oven, thermostatically-controlled and capable of maintaining a uniform of
temperature throughout the drying chamber
2) Electronic or Digital Balance, with readability or accuracy of 0.01 g
3) Vernier Caliper, having a measuring range of at least 2 to 12 in (0 to 150 mm) and
readable to at least 0.001 in (0.02 mm)
4) Container handling apparatus: gloves, tongs, or suitable holder for moving and
handling hot containers after drying
5) Miscellaneous: trowel, big pan, mold with base and removable collar, hammer/mallet,
rammer, sieve #4, moisture cans, scraper, brush
6) Source of water like faucet and spray bottle containing enough water
7) Soil: brown soil

II. Procedure

1) Fill the large pan with enough soil needed for the experiment. Only soil that passed
though the sieve #4 will be used.
2) Measure and record the diameter and height of mould to get its volume.
3) Weigh and record the mass of the mould with the base plate.
4) Fill the mould with enough soil that when compacted, 1/3 of the mould is filled.
5) Compact the soil using the compaction equipment. Simulate 25 blows for the layer.
Make sure to distribute the compaction to the whole cross section of the soil.
6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the next layer, filling the mould with compacted soil up to
2/3 of the mould, and the last layer until mould is completely filled. The collar will
serve as barrier when the loose soil will overflow the mould.
7) Slowly detached the collar. Make sure that the compacted soil wont be disturbed.
8) Remove the excess using the scraper. Make sure the level of the soil is same that of
the mould.


9) Weigh and record the mass of the mould with the base plate and the compacted soil.
10) Determine and record the mass of the clean, dry and empty container together with its
lid. Make sure to have it labelled.
11) Get a sample specimen in the top and bottom of the mould. Put it in the labelled
container provided for a certain sample. Then, cover it with its lid immediately.
12) Determine and record the mass of the container and moist material with its lid.
13) Remove the lid and place the container with moist material in the drying oven.
Maintain the drying oven at 1005C. The time required to be used is a minimum of
24 hours to obtain constant mass.
14) Return the remaining compacted soil large pan. Use a mallet to smash the soil
cylinder into particles and to be ready for the next soil consistency.
15) Add water using the spray bottle and evenly distribute the water. Mix the soil while
adding water. Mix until the desired consistency is achieved. Consistencies for the
next two trials are near the optimum moisture content and mud-like characteristics.
16) Reassemble the mould and place it back to the base plate. Repeat steps 4 to 13 for the
next consistencies.