Method of testing of soil samples

Laboratory compaction test for MDD and O.M.C relationship determination test
Specification of Compaction rammer and mould
Mould diameter
Material

6 inches (152.4mm)
3
Passing 4 inches (19 mm) sieve.

Layers
Blows per layer
Rammer drop height
Rammer weight
Compactive effort

5
56
18 inches (457.2mm)
4.54 kg
3
2700 KNm/ m

The laboratory compaction studies were carried out using the compaction rammer and mould
specification shown in Table xx. For soil preparation prior to compaction when the sample was
too damp to be friable, the water content was reduced by air drying until the material is friable.
The aggregations are then broken up in a way to avoid breaking individual particles and also to
allow the broken up soil material to at least pass the 9.5 mm sieve in order to facilitate the
distribution of water throughout the soil. The material is then processed over the appropriate
sieve of 19.0 mm. The dry bulk samples are mixed thoroughly, using a shovel. With the aid of a
riffle box, five numbers of 6 kg weights of the dry bulk sample of each source of material were
obtained. The samples were then sieved through a 20 mm Test Sieve, with material retained
appropriately replaced with material passing the 20 mm test sieve but retained on the 5 mm BS
test sieve. For each source of material, one of the 6 kg weights sample, the appropriate
percentage of water was added and the wet sample was then mixed thoroughly and covered with
polythene sheet, left to stay for about 15 minutes. Respective wet samples were taken for
moisture content determination
The mass of the empty clean compaction mould with its base plate only was then determined.
The collar of the mould was then after fitted in place. With the mould placed on a solid base, the
wet test sample was fed into the mould in five layers, with each layer covering about one-fifth of
the height of the assembled mould. 56 blows from a 4.54 kg weight rammer, falling freely to 457
mm were then applied to each layer. The said blows being evenly distributed over the surface of

the layer. . The collar of the mould was then removed and the surface of the compacted soil
trimmed off to flush with the top of the mould. The mass of the mould, base plate, and the
compacted soil were then determined. The mass of the compacted soil was then found. The dry
density of the compacted soil was also computed from the bulk density and the moisture content
values previously determined. The test procedure was then repeated for the remaining 6 kg
weights test samples, by adding water that was about 2% higher than that of the previous mix,
until the wet weight of the soil had fallen the second time. The corresponding dry densities were
also computed and the compaction characteristics of the various soils plotted.
For the determination of the moisture content, the mass of the clean and dry specimen container
is recorded. The wet sample is then placed in the container and the mass of the container and the
wet sample is taken and recorded. After the wet sample and the container are placed in the drying
oven. The drying oven is set to a temperature range of 110 5C and the sample is dried between
times ranging from 12 to 16 hours. After the material has dried the mass of the container and
oven-dried material are determined and recorded. The water content of the samples are then
determined.
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test
Specifications for CBR test apparatus
Mould (Inside diameter)
Mould height
Metal extension collar height
Metal base plate perforations number
Annular metal weights
slotted metal weights
The annular weight diameter
The annular weight center hole

152.4mm 0.66 mm
177.8mm 0.46 mm
50.8 mm
28
4.54 kg 0.02 kg
2.27 kg 0.02 kg
149.23 to 150.81 mm
53.98 mm

For each sources of material a set of 10, 25, 56 blow samples were prepared for the soaked CBR
test. Each of the samples was then moisture conditioned to the optimum moisture content of the
respective soil. The wet sample was then mixed thoroughly and covered with polythene sheet.
Since the sample is to be soaked, sample of the material was taken for the determination of
moisture, at the beginning of compaction and another sample of the remaining material after
compaction. The mass of the empty clean mould was determined. The spacer disk with filter

paper on top is inserted over the perforated base plate. The mold with extension collar attached is
clamped to the base plate with the hole for the extraction handle facing down. With the mould
placed on a solid base, the wet test sample was fed into the mould in five layers, with each layer
covering about one-fifth of the height of the assembled mould. After compaction of the 5 layers
the extension collar is then removed and the compacted soil is carefully trim evenly at the top of
the mold by means of a straightedge. The perforated base plate and spacer disk is removed and
the mass of the mould plus compacted soil is recorded. A disk of coarse filter paper is placed on
the perforated base plate. The mold and compacted soil which in contact with the filter paper is
then clamped to the perforated base plate. The surcharge weights of 4.54 kg are then placed on
the perforated plate and adjustable stem assembly and carefully lowered onto the compacted soil
sample in the mold. The mold and weights are then immersed in water allowing free access of
water to the top and bottom of the specimen. The specimen is allowed to soak for 96 hours. After
soaking for four days, the soaked compacted samples were removed from water and kept at a
suitable place for the water on the body of the mould to drain away. The mass of the mould,
perforated base plate, and the compacted soil after soaking, was then determined and recorded.
The mass of the compacted soil, after soaking, was then computed. The CBR penetration tests
were then carried out. A cylindrical metal plunger of 50 mm diameter was made to penetrate the
compacted samples at a rate of 1 mm / min. The dial gauge readings, of the force generated
between the plunger and the test sample, were then taken at intervals of penetration of 0.25 mm
up to a total penetration of 8.0 mm. The CBR values of the compacted samples were then
computed, by dividing the force readings obtained for the penetrations of 2.5 mm and 5mm
respectively by that of the standard forces, 13.24 KN and 19.96 KN, obtained in crush rock.