FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, BUILT ENVIRONMENT & INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY

BACHELOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING WITH HONOURS

SEP-JAN 2022
ECG3213 SOIL MECHANICS II
LABORATORY REPORT 1

EXPERIMENT TITLE : COMPACTION TEST

GROUP :E
DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 11/10/2021
DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION : 18/10/2021
LECTURER : MR. DARVINTHAREN GOVINDASAMY

N
GROUP MEMBERS STUDENT ID
O
1 Agathe Merville Houssou SUKD1902103
Ahmed Abdulnaser SUKD1901896
Seifeldin wael SUKD1900797
Yasir Omer Babiker Almakey SUKD1901904

As a group we certified that we have done the Allocate Given

Description
following prior to submitting the lab report. If d Marks Marks
any of the following is falsely stated, we Table of Contents 1
agree that we will get an “F” for this course. Objectives 1
We certified that typing our name in the Apparatus 1
above table consider as an electronic Introduction/Theory 3
signature
- We have not plagiarized any part of
Experimental Procedure 3
the report and have cited reference Result & Analysis 3
where appropriate. Discussion 3
- All the members of the group equally Conclusion 3
contributed to the report writing. References 1
- We know that late submission of the Appendix 1
report will be given zero. Total /20
Table of Content

1.0 Objective………………………………………………………………………….3
2.0 Apparatus……………………………………………………………...................3
3.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………....................3
4.0 Theory…….………………………………………………………………………4
5.0 Procedure………………………………………………….………......................4
6.0 Results…………………………………………………………………………….5
6.1 Data Analysis……………………………………………………………..…..5
6.2 Calculation and Graphs ..…………………………………………………..5-7
7.0 Discussion………………………………………………………………..……....8
8.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………......9
Reference.….
…………………………………………………………………………..10

Appendix……………………………………………………………………………..11-13
(2.0) Objective:

This laboratory test is performed to determine the relationship between the moisture
content and the dry density of a soil for a given compactive effort.
Compaction can be applied to improve the properties of an existing soil or in the process
of placing fill. The main objectives are to:
 increase shear strength and therefore bearing capacity

 increase stiffness and therefore reduce future settlement

 decrease voids ratio and so permeability, thus reducing potential frost heave.

(3.0) Apparatus :

 Balance
 Drying oven
 Graduated cylinder
 Manual rammer
 Mold
 Mixing pan
 Moisture cans
 Trowel
 Ruler and sieve
 Ruler and sieve Straight edge

(4.0) Introduction:

The quantity of mechanical energy given to the soil mass is referred to as compactive
effort. Tamping, kneading, vibration, and static load compaction are just a few examples
of processes used to compact soil in the field. The tamping or impact compaction method
will be used in this laboratory, which was created by R. R. Proctor in 1933. As a result,
the test is also known as the Proctor test. Soil compaction is a low-cost form of soil
development that is frequently employed to make ground suitable for road and
construction foundations. It is also used in the placing of soil fills and in the construction
of earth dams to ensure suitable soil properties. The compaction is normally achieved
through the input of energy into the soil by impact, kneading, vibration or static means.
The two standardized tests in use today, the standard and modified Proctor tests, differ
only by the amount of compactive energy. The extent of compaction depends on the
moisture content of the soil and the compactified effort used.
(4.1) Theory:
Compaction can be generally defined as the densification of soil by the removal of air
and rearrangement of soil particles through the addition of mechanical energy. The
energy exerted by compaction forces the soil to fill available voids, and the additional
frictional forces between the soil particles improves the mechanical properties of the
soil. Because a wide range of particles are needed in order to fill all available voids,
well-graded soils tend to compact better than poorly graded soils.
The degree of compaction of a soil can be measured by its dry unit weight, γd. When
water is added to the soil, it functions as a softening agent on the soil particles,
causing them to slide between one another more easily. At first, the dry unit weight
after compaction increases as the moisture content (ω) increases, but after the
optimum moisture content (ωopt) percentage is exceeded, any added water will result
in a reduction in dry unit weight because the pore water pressure (pressure of water
in-between each soil particle) will be pushing the soil particles apart, decreasing the
friction between them.

(5.0) Procedure

1. Collect small soil sample

2. 2000g of dry soil had passed through sieve opening prepared.
3. Weighing the empty mould, collar, and base plate Empty containers were
weighed as well.
4. The sample was thoroughly mixed with around 10% of the total soil volume in
water
5. Apply lubricant to the collar.
6. Remove the soil from the mixer and layer it three or five times in the mould,
depending on the method used (Standard Proctor or Modified Proctor). Start the
compaction process with 25 blows per layer for each layer. The drips are applied
at a constant rate, either manually or mechanically. The soil mass should fill the
mould and extend a maximum of 1 centimetre into the collar.
7. Remove the collar with care and use a sharpened straight edge to trim the soil that
extends above the mould.
8. Weight the mold and the containing soil (W).
9. Using a metallic extruder, extrude the soil from the mould, ensuring that the
extruder and the mould are in line.
10. Water content should be measured from the top, middle, and bottom of the
sample.
11. Place the soil in the mixer once more and add water to achieve a higher water
content.
(6.0) Results
(6.1) Data Analysis
Table 1:

Test No. / Target

1 2 3 4 5
Moisture
Mass of Soil + (g) 7188 7399 7568 7521 7301
Mould
Mass of Mould (g) 5395 5395 5395 5395 5395
Container No. C22 C24 C26 C28 C30
Mass of Container +
(g) 101.2 89.8 85.3 78.3 82.5
Wet Soil
Mass of Container +
(g) 93.9 82.8 77.7 71.0 73.5
Dry Soil
Mass of Container (g) 36.1 36.5 36.6 36.9 36.3

(6.2) Calculation :
Table 2:

For graph γd versus w Zero Air Voids

Moisture Mass of Mass of Bulk Dry Assume Dry unit weight (kN/m3) (y
content % wet soil wet soil density density Water axis)
(x axis) and (g) content
mold(g) %

S =1
12.6 7188 1793 1.785 1.585 12 20.83
15.1 7399 2004 1.996 1.734 15 19.58
18.5 7568 2173 2.164 1.826 18 18.47
21.4 7521 2126 2.117 1.744 21 17.49
24.2 7301 1906 1898 1.528 24 16.60

Volume of Mold = 1004 cm3 Gs = 2.85

Moisture content:
𝑤 = (mass of can and wet soil – mass of can) −(mass of can and dry soil – mass of can) x 100%

(mass of can and dry soil – mass of can)

Container No : C22
( 101.2−36.1 )−(93.9−36.1)
W= X 100
(93.9−36.1)

= 12.6

Mass of wet soil: for C22

mass of wet soil =( mass of mould + wet soil – mass of mould)
= (7188 – 5395)
= 1793

Dry density : C22

wet density of soil
Yd= x 100
(100+ w)

¿ ( 1.785 ) ¿ ¿ X 100= 1.585

( 100+12.6)

Zero air voids : ( Dry unit weight ) S=1

2.85 x 9.81
¿
12
1+ 2.85( )/1 = 20.83 KN/m3
100

Graphs :
 Moisture content vs Dry density Graph
1.85
1.8
1.75
1.7
Dry density

1.65
1.6
1.55
1.5
1.45
1.4
1.35
12.6 15.1 18.5 21.4 24.2
Moisture content (%)

( Graph 1)

1.maximum dry density(from graph1)= 1.83 g/m3

2.optimum water content= 18.5%

Moisture content vs Dry unit weight Graph

25

20
Dry unit weight (kN/m3)

15

10

0
12.6 15.1 18.5 21.4 24.2

Moisture content (%)

(Graph 2)
(7.0) DISCUSSION:
Compaction of soils is primarily used to reduce eventual settlement under operating
loads. Compaction also raises the soil's shear strength, reduces the voids ratio, making it
more difficult for water to move through the soil, and prevents the building of significant
water pressures that cause soil to liquefy during earthquakes. Thus, in order to maximize
the above-mentioned uses, it is necessary to determine the maximum unit weight of the
soil by determining the amounts or quality of the components that effect compaction,
such as water content, the kind of soil being compacted, and the quantity of compactive
energy used.

Soil compaction raises density, shear strength, and bearing capacity, minimizing voids,
settlement, and permeability. As a result, the maximum dry density and optimum
moisture content are important in the stability of field problems such as earthen dams,
embankments, highways, and airfields. The value of the optimum moisture content
obtained by a laboratory compaction test controls compaction in the field. To put it
another way, the findings of laboratory compaction tests are utilized to write the
compaction specifications for soil compaction in the field. The findings of compaction
tests in the lab cannot be used directly for compaction on the site because the solids or
compaction energy in the lab is different, and imposed by which differs from the use of
equipment on the site. The results of the laboratory tests are only a rough guide to the
maximum dry density value that can be predicted. The findings of the laboratory's strictly
compaction tests can be used to classify and choose appropriate soil for earthwork.

SOURCE ERROR
It's possible that the water didn't be absorbed completely into the dry soil. As a
precaution, an adequate period of time should be provided for the soil to mature once it
has been mixed with water. Because each layer of dirt may not have been deposited at the
same depth into the mold's collar, extra caution should be taken to ensure that each layer
is approximately equal in weight. Before placing the next layer, each compacted layer
should be scratched with a spatula to avoid stratification.

It is impossible to provide the same compaction energy to each layer due to human error
when operating the hand rammer. One precaution that may be taken is to make sure that
the strikes are applied by the same individual to each layer. Another will be to make
certain that the rammer blows are evenly dispersed across the surface.

If the manual compacting hammer was replaced with a mechanical arm and the sample
was uniformly compacted using a fixed height and fixed force, more accurate results may
be produced.
(8.0) CONCLUSION:
To sum up, with the information given , the results obtained and the calculations we
completed. The ability of a soil type to be treated with mechanical energy and
compressed is self-evident. In general, we can say that the soul is made up of natural
components, and that the maximum soil density and optimum moisture content differ
depending on the soil type. Furthermore, there are other advantages to soul compaction,
including increased bearing capacity, stability, and permeability. It's also useful for
preventing erosion. We got the results after conducting testing. We obtained the results
through tests, and we tried to be as accurate as possible so that we could receive reliable
results. Possibilities are tough to ignore as a human being it's difficult to avoid human
error. However, we tried to be accurate as much as possible.
The laboratory experiment provided a more physical understanding of soil mechanics
II, as well as valuable materials testing experience. Additionally, the process of
identifying machine compliance as an explanation to the consistently low values of
material properties was a crucial exercise in determining source of errors. In this regard,
the acquired data was incredibly informative testing must be designed to produce not
only data but data from which artifacts and systematic sources of error may be
determined.
References:

- Budhu, M. (2007), “Soil Mechanics & Foundations (2nd. Edition)”, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., United States of America

- Das, Braja M. (2014), “Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, (8th Edition)”

Cengage Learning, Stamford, CT.

. - Proctor compaction test: A basic guide. GlobalGilson.com. (2018, April 2). Retrieved
October 18, 2021, from https://www.globalgilson.com/blog/proctor-compaction-
test-a-basic-guide.
APPENDIX:
11. Sieve: