TITTLE: MODIFIED COMPACTION TEST

SCOPE: TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM DRY DENSITY AND OPTIMUM

MOISTURE CONTENTOF THE SOIL WHEN HEAVY LOADS APPLIED

APPARATUS:

 Cylindrical metal mould, internal dimension 105mm diameter and 115.5mm high.
This mould gives a volume of 1000cm3. The mould was fitted with a detachable base
plate and removable extension collar.

 Metal rammer with 50mm diameter face weighing 4.5kg, sliding freely in a tube
which controls the height of drop to 450mm.

 Measuring cylinder.

 Large metal tray.

 Balance

 Jacking apparatus fro extracting compacted material from the mould.

 Small tools; palette knife, scoop, steel rule.

 Drying oven and other equipment for moisture content determination.

PROCEDURE:

Prepare apparatus;

-the mould, extension collar and base plate were cleaned and dried. The mould body was
weighed to the nearest 1g

-the extension collar and base plate clamps were checked securely to the mould and
assembled them together. A wipe with a slightly oily cloth on the internal surfaces was
assisted removal of soil afterwards. A disc of thin filter paper was placed on the base plate for
the same purpose.

-the rammer was checked to ensure that it falls freely through the correct height of drop and
that the lifting knob was secured.
Sample preparation,

-the original bulk sample was dried and obtained a representative sample of about 5 kg. A
suitable amount of water was added and mixed thoroughly.

Compact into mould,

-the mould assembly was placed on the solid base. Compaction was carried out in five layers,
the 4.5kg rammer with a drop of 450mm used, with 62 blows for each layers. Take care that
the rammer was properly in placed before releasing. The first few blows of the rammer which
were applied to soil in a very loose state, applied in a systematic manner to ensure the most
efficient compaction and maximum result. Soil was not allowed to collect inside the tube of
the rammer because this was impeded the free fall of the rammer. Make sure that the end of
the tube was rested on the soil surface and did not catch on the edge of the mould before
releasing the rammer. The guide tube was held vertically.

-the extension collar was removed carefully and the excess soil was cut away and levelled off
to the top of the mould and checked with the straight edge. Any small cavities resulting from
removal of stones at the surface were filled with fine material.

-soil and mould were weighed to the nearest 1g.

-the soil was removed by hand or using the jack and the sample was broken up on the tray.

Measure the moisture content,

Three representative samples were taken up in containers immediately before the soil begins
to dry out.

-the material was broken up on the tray and an increment of water was added and mixed in
the water thoroughly.

-each increment of water added so that at least five compactions were made.

-the range of moisture contents were such that the optimum moisture content was within that
range.

-the sample was dried, if sample was damp.

-the representative sample was mixed thoroughly with sufficient water.

-prior to compaction, the loose soil was placed into the mould a spread a layer of uniform
thickness.

-the soil was compacted in the mould to a depth of about 125mm in approximately 5 equal
layers by giving each layers 25 uniformly distributed blows of the hammer dropped from
457mm height.

-after compaction of the first four layers a knife was used to trim excess material above the
compacted surface.

-after completion of five layers the extension collar was removed and the compacted soil was
carefully trimmed to the top of the mould.

-the mould and wet soil was weighted.

-the material was removed from the mould and slice vertically through the center. A
representative sample material from one cut face was taken.

-sample was weighted immediately and placed the oven for moisture content determine.

-the remaining portion of the moulded specimen was break up and added to the testing.

The sufficient amount of water was added to increase 1% to 2% of moisture content.

-the above process was continued until the wet unit mass was decreased.
CALCULATION:
Wet density determination,
Volume of water add = 100 ml
Weight of empty mould = 5357 g
Weight of mould + wet soil = 9698 g
Weight of wet soil = 9698 g - 5357g
= 4341 g
Wet density (γm) = 4341 g/ 2305 cm3
= 1.88 g/ cm3
Moisture content and dry density determination,
Weight of dish + wet soil = 244.2 g
Weight of dish + dry soil = 236.1 g
Weight of dish = 23.2 g
Weight of water = 244.2 g - 236.1 g
= 8.1 g
Weight of dry soil = 236.1 g - 23.2 g
= 212.9 g
Moisture content = 8.1 g/ 212.9 g x 100
= 3.8 %
Dry density (γd) = (γm)/ (1+ γd/ 100 )
= 1.88 / (1 + 0.038)
= 1.81 g/ cm3
RESULTS:

Points were plotted with moisture content on the X axis and dry density on the Y axis and a
smooth curve was drawn connecting the points. From the curve the maximum dry density
was noted and the corresponding value of moisture content taken as optimum moisture
content of the soil.

MDD = 2.03 g/ cm3

OMC = 9.25 %
DISCUSSION:

Knowledge of the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of soil is very
important for construction specifications of soil improvement by compaction. Compaction
increases the strength, lowers the compressibility and reduces the permeability of a soil.
Normally earth structures should have a minimum of 95% of compaction.

The modified proctor compaction test is important when heavy loads applied the surface.
Hence, if there is heavy traffic such as town area, runaways, and etc modified compaction test
is suitable as compaction test than standard test.

When doing the test, check the clamps hold the extension collar and base plate securely to the
mould and assemble together. A wipe with a slightly oily cloth on the internal surface will
assist removal of soil afterwards. And also check the rammer to ensure that it falls freely
through the correct height of drop and that the lifting knob is secure. Take care to see that the
rammer is properly in place before releasing. The first few blows of the rammer which are
applied to soil in a very loose state should be applied in a systematic manner to ensure the
most efficient compaction and maximum results and the blows are uniformly distributed over
the whole are. Soil must not be allowed to collect inside the tube of the rammer, because this
will impede the free fall of the rammer. The guide tube must be held vertically. The correct
amount of soils should be used for compacting layers and compacted surface in the extension
collar to about 6mm above the level of the mould body. If not the result will be inaccurate.

The compaction properties of soil are extremely important for the following reasons. Soils
which are compacted to a high density have greater strength and hence a pavement
constructed on such sub grades requires lesser thickness. Compaction of soil reduces the
possibility of settlement of embankments during the life of the pavement and of slop failure.
Compacted sub grades are less susceptible to changes in moisture content. This means that
swelling and shrinkage of soil can be reduced.

And also the compaction will depend upon on the following factors.

Soil type – The gravel and sand can be compacted to a high dry density ( 1.7 – 2.3 gm per
c.c ). Where as clays can only be compacted to a dry density of 1.4 – 1.8 gm per c.c.

Moisture content – There is one water content called optimum moisture content (OMC) at
which the dry density of the soil will be maximum. At moisture content both above and
below the OMC the dry density will be less than the maximum. At low moisture contents, the
soil is dry and stiff and it is difficult to compress the particle close together. As water is
added, the individual particle gets lubricated by the water film, making it easier for the soil
particles to be packed closer together. Density thus increases by the expulsion of air in the
void. At moisture content above the optimum, however, the dry density decreases since an
increasing proportion of the total volume is now occupied by water.

Compacted effort applied – Higher compactive effort gives a higher value of maximum dry
density but a lower value of optimum moisture content.