WOLAITA SODO UNIVERSITY

COLLEGEOF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

TITLE; CORRELATION BETWEEN COMPACTION

CHARACTERSTIC AND ATTER BERG LIMITS OF FINE GRAINED
SOIL FOUND IN WOLAITA SODO UNIVERSITY

GROUP NAME ID NO
1. ASIYA GIRMA………………………..ENG/R/246/10

2.AMINA WARIYO.……………............ENG/R/122/10

3.REHIMA SIMBO.…………………….ENG/R/166/10

Principal Advisor ; Mr. Mamo T.

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL IS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BSc. DEGREE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

MARCH, 2022

WOLAITA SODO, ETHIOPIA

 DECLARATION
We declare that this BSc thesis proposal is our own original work entitled as “:Correlation
Between Compaction Characterstics And Atter Berg Limits Of Fine Grained Soil Found In
Wolaita Sodo University“is our original work. This thesis proposal has not been presented for
any other university / college and is not concurrently submitted to any candidature of any other
degree, and that all sources of material used for the work has been accordingly acknowledged.

GROUP MEMBER ID NO SIGNATURE

1. ASIYA GIRMA ENG/R/246/10 .....................

2.AMINA WARIYO ENG/R/122/10 ....................

3.REHIMA SIMBO ENG/R/166/10 ....................

This thesis research proposal has submitted for approval by advisor.

ADVISOR NAME SIGNATURE DATE

Mr. MAMO T. ____________ ____________

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all we want to thanks the God, father of all things for his support us in duration of our
proposal work. And we would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to our instructor
Mr.Mamo for his professional and genuine guidance.We also want to thank him for his
dedication and time devotion on guiding us how to proceed and for his uninterrupted advice
during the progress of the Proposal work. Finally, we are indebted to the department of civil
engineering on providing us the necessary materials and computer rooms to accomplish our
thesis Proposal in advance and properly.

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 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR PROPOSAL
Compaction is one of the essential engineering techniques, performed to assure the stability of
soils based on specified strength. However, in most construction projects such as large scale
projects, obtaining the desired compaction characteristics, namely optimum moisture content
(OMC) and maximum dry density (MDD), becomes time-consuming. In this case, predicting the
compaction characteristics from the Atterberg's limits that involve a more straightforward and
quicker method of testing becomes a vital task. This study will be focused on obtaining valid
correlations between Atterberg's limit parameters and compaction characteristics of fine-
grained soils of wolaita sodo town.To develop the correlation, a total 5 test pits will be
excavated and a total of 10 disturbed samples (primary data) will collecting from different
places, 2 samples from each test pits at different depths ranging from 1.00m to 2.00m After the
samples will collected, they will be transporting to Geotechnical engineering laboratory and
different laboratory tests (Atterberg limits, grain size analysis, specific gravity,moisture content
and compaction tests) will be conducted. After the tests will conducted, the recorded data will be
analyze using descriptive and analytical methods, and then correlation between compaction
characteristics and Atterberg limits of fine grained soil using regression analysis will be done.
Regression analysis will be conducted by using EXCEL and SPSS software.This thesis will be
conducted from March 2022 up to June 2022.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT
Contents Page
DECLARATION..............................................................................................................................I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..............................................................................................................II
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR PROPOSAL.............................................................................III
TABLE OF CONTENT................................................................................................................IV
LIST OF FIGURE......................................................................................................................VIII
LIST OF TABLE...........................................................................................................................IX
ACRONYM....................................................................................................................................X
CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................1
1.INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background....................................................................................................................................1
1.2. Statement of the Problem..............................................................................................................1
1.3. Research Questions.......................................................................................................................1
1.4. Objective......................................................................................................................................2
1.5. Significance of the study...............................................................................................................2
1.6. Scope of the study.........................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................................4
2.LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................................................................................................4
2.1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................4
2.2 Compaction....................................................................................................................................5
2.3 Atterberg limits..............................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER THREE.........................................................................................................................6
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................................6
3.1 Description of the Study Area........................................................................................................6
3.2 Organization of the thesis..............................................................................................................7
3.3 Study period...................................................................................................................................7
3.4 Study design..................................................................................................................................7
3.5 Study variables..............................................................................................................................7
3.6 Sources of Data..............................................................................................................................7
3.7 Data Collection Procedure.............................................................................................................7
3.8 Laboratory Tests and Equipment we will use...............................................................................8

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 3.9 Equipment’s we will use on site....................................................................................................9
3.10 Data Presentation and Analysis....................................................................................................9
3.11 Proposed Time Table................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

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VI
VII
 LIST OF FIGURE

Figure 3. 1 Location of wolaita sodo town 6

Figure 3. 2 Shovel 9
Figure 3. 3 Pick axe 9

VIII
 LIST OF TABLE
Table 3. 1 Time table.................................................................................................................................10

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 ACRONYM

AASHTO American association of state highway and transportation officials

ASTM American society for testing of materials

MDD Maximum Dry Density

MPCT Modified Proctor Compaction Test
NMCNatural Moisture Content
OMC Optimum Moisture Content
SPSSStatistical Package for the Social Sciences
OMC Optimum Moisture Content

LL Liquid Limit

PLPlastic Limit

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 CHAPTER ONE
1.INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Most of the time geotechnical engineers are confronted to handle large volumes of soil, where
the soil itself is used as a construction material. The importance of compaction as a practical
means of achieving the desired strength, compressibility and permeability characteristics of soils
has been appreciated since the time early earth structures were built.
Compaction of soil has applications in almost every field of civil engineering involving soil.
Thus, for a civil engineer, it is very essential to know the compaction characteristics of natural
soils, and thereby assess their suitability. In such situations, to obtain compaction characteristics
such as maximum dry density and optimum moisture content, one has to carry out a laboratory
compaction tests. But laboratory compaction test requires sufficient time and effort. For
preliminary assessment of the suitability of soils required for large project, it is desirable to
develop correlations of engineering properties with simple physical properties, namely Atterberg
limits, which are obtained through simple tests known as index tests. Correlations making use of
the Atterberg limits are fairly common in soil mechanics literature, and can be quite useful.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Compaction characteristics of soil are usually determined by conducting specified method of
testing (e.g. standard Proctor compaction test) in the laboratory, and the test results are utilized in
the field to ensure the quality of construction for the desired purposes (Nerea, 2012). However,
when the extent of construction is very large (such as construction of long roads and large
embankment dams that require massive materials), number of compaction tests are to be
performed. Obtaining this compaction achievement requires relatively elaborated laboratory
procedures and is time consuming. Thus, it is very important to obtain the index property
parameters that involve simpler, quicker, and cheaper method of testing and the compaction
characteristics can be predicted satisfactorily from empirical correlations.

1.3. Research Questions

The research questions that this study will attempt to clarify during the study period are:
1. What are the values of Atterberg limits of the soil?

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2. What are the values of compaction characteristics of the soil?
3. What will be the correlation between compaction characteristics and Atterberg limits of
finegrained soil

1.4. Objective

1.4.1. General objective

The general objective of the thesis work is to make correlation between compaction
Characteristics and Atterberg limits of fine grained soil found in wolaita sodo town.

1.4.2. Specific objectives

To determine Atterberg limits of a soil.
To determine compaction characteristics of the soil.
To establish correlation between compaction characteristics and Atterberg limits of the soil.

1.5. Significance of the study

The developing correlations will be important
To minimize the time, cost and effort/energy incurred in carrying out laboratory compaction
tests by predicting the compaction characteristics from Atterberg limits.
The results of this study can serve as a basis for further study of such correlation between
compaction characteristics and index properties of a soil.
 The City Administration of wolaita sodo town will benefit from the study as a source of
information and base for the construction industry that can help to minimize the time and
cost of laboratory tests.
 Other researchers will use the findings as a reference for further research on the correlation
between compaction characteristics and Atterberg limitsparameters.

1.6. Scope of the study

This research addresses the defined objective and provides correlations between the compaction
characteristics and index properties of fine grained soils of wolaita sodo city. Collections of the
disturbed samples will limit to five representative locations. One test pit will open at each test pit
and then disturbed samples were collected at a depth ranging from 0.6m to 2.00m.
For the intended purpose, Atterberg limits, grain size analysis, specific gravity,moisture
contentand modifiedcompaction tests will be conduct on disturbed samples.

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 CHAPTER TWO
2.LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Introduction
Correlations making use of the Atterberg limits are fairly common in soil mechanics literature,
and are quite useful. Many attempts have been made to obtain equations that relate OMC and
MDD with index properties. One of the first attempts to relate compaction characteristics with
index properties was by Jumiki (1946). He developed a correlation equation to estimate optimum
moisture content with liquid limit and plasticity index.
So far as fine-grained soils are concerned, efforts were mostly made to correlate 𝛾dmax and
OMC especially either with LL or PL. In few investigations, special emphasis was laid on
compaction energy. Limited attempts have been made in the domain to correlate 𝛾dmax and
OMC with LL in conjunction with PL or plasticity index (PI). Di Matteo et al. developed
regression models compaction characteristics of fine-grained soils in terms of consistency limits
and physical properties but are limited to for modified Proctor energy level only.

Another attempt was made by Gu¨naydın taking both sandy and clayey soils into account. The
𝛾dmax and OMC of fine-grained soils are largely governed by its consistency limits. In contrast,
compaction characteristics of coarse-grained soils are also governed by their grain-size
distribution and index properties apart from consistency limits. Hence a common prediction
model for estimating 𝛾dmax and OMC of coarse-grained and fine-grained soils seems to have
potential drawback. Recently, Farooq etal. conducted an extensive study on fine-grained soils
and developed correlations for predicting 𝛾dmax and OMC of fine-grained soils in terms of LL,
PI, and compaction energy.

Review of previous studies shows that limited efforts have been made to develop prediction
models for compaction parameters of fine-grained soil in terms of both LL and PL and scope of
few such models are limited as already explained. Predicting compaction parameters from LL or
PL alone has got technical limitations and therefore, it is more logical to have a model which
takes both the consistency limits into account. Moreover, the variations of compaction
characteristics with Atterberg limits are not fully understood. In few investigations, LL of soil
was observed to bear better correlation with compaction characteristics than PL. Contrastingly,
in few other studies, PL was shown to provide a better correlation than LL. Furthermore,
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prediction models are not expected to be unique and may have dependency on the place of origin
of soils. These pin-points the necessity of a further study to understand the behavior of
compaction characteristics with consistency limits of fine-grained soils. Therefore, an extensive
laboratory investigation has been carried out to study the variation pattern of 𝛾dmax and OMC of
fine-grained soils at standard Proctor energy level as functions of their LL and PL values aiming
at developing an improved correlation among these parameters.

2.2 Compaction
Compaction is the process of application of mechanical energy to soil in order to rearrange its
particles causing reduction in void ratio. The primary objectives of compaction are to increase
the shear strength and bearing capacity, to decrease settlement, and to decrease the permeability
of soil. Compaction has wide applications almost in all civil engineering works such as
improving the properties of an existing soil, in the process of placing fills, and to prepare a level
surface such as in the construction of buildings. So, from civil engineering viewpoint, it is very
essential to know the compaction characteristics of soils to assess their suitability as a
construction material. Two basic compaction characteristics of a soil obtained from a laboratory
compaction test are maximum dry unit weight (𝛾dmax) and optimum moisture content (OMC).
These two parameters are determined either by performing standard Proctor or modified Proctor
test which requires considerable time and effort.

2.3 Atterberg limits 

The Atterberg limits are a basic measure of the critical water contents of a fine-grained soil:
its shrinkage limit, plastic limit, and liquid limit.Depending on its water content, a soil may
appear in one of four states: solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid. In each state, the consistency
and behavior of a soil is different and consequently so are its engineering properties. Thus, the
boundary between each state can be defined based on a change in the soil's behavior. These
limits were created by Albert Atterberg, a Swedish chemist and agronomist in 1911. They were
later refined by Casagrande, an Austrian-born American geotechnical engineer and close
collaborator of Karl Terzaghi (both pioneers of soil mechanics).

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 CHAPTER THREE
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Description of the Study Area
The geographical (Astronomical) location of wolaita sodo town is approximately between
6054'36’’ N- 8050'36’’ N latitude and between 37045'42" E - 37045'42" E longitude (topographic
map sheet obtained from Ethiopian Mapping Agency and topographic surveyed map). Relatively
wolaita sodo town is located 317 km far away South of Addis Ababa, 19kms North East of
Boddit town. Wolaita sodo town is a zonal town with the 4 th grade (stage) of administrative
status.

Figure 3. 1 Location of wolaita sodo town

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3.2 Organization of the thesis
The thesis will be organized into six parts. The first part presents a general description or an
introduction and major engineering problems associated with determination of compaction
characteristics for large projects, objective and limitation of this research work. A review on soil
classification, different tests like index tests and proctor tests including previous works on their
relationships are discussed in the second part. The third part presents the location of the sampling
pits, methods, data collection, and lab test results. Regression analysis and discussions will be
done in chapter four. Finally, conclusions and recommendations are given in fifth chapter. At the
end, details of the regression and laboratory test results enclosed under appendix section.

3.3 Study period

This research will be conducts from March 2022 up to June 2022.

3.4 Study design

An experimental study will be used during the study period and the data will analyzed and
interpret using analytical methods of approach.

3.5 Study variables

Dependent variables: - the dependent variable for this research is the correlation between
compaction characteristics and Atterberg limits.
Independent variables: - the independent variables for this research are Liquid limit, Plastic
limit, Plasticity index, Specific gravity, Optimum moisture content and maximum dry density,
Particle size.

3.6 Sources of Data

The data needed for this research will be collect from:-
Primary sources: - samples will collects from each test pits then different laboratory testswill be
conduct and the results will record.
Secondary sources: -different journals, previous thesis, books and websites.

3.7 Data Collection Procedure

The data collection process will consists of gathering relevant information from Google map,
wolaita sodo town Municipality and collection of soil samples during site visits. Sampling
locations will select within wolaita sodo Town using random sampling technique. The collecting

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soil samples from the field will be further analyses in the laboratory to classify and categorize the
soil type and determine the regression and correlation analysis.

3.8 Laboratory Tests and Equipment we will use

The engineering properties soils are classified and identified based on index properties and other
tests. Some of these properties of soil are; Natural moisture content, Specific gravity, Liquid and
plastic Limit, Grain size analysis test, compaction test and Atterberg Limits. The entire
laboratory tests will be performed in wolaita sodo University geotechnical engineering
Laboratory using the standard testing procedures .The labtests that we will conduct on this
research include:

3.8.1. Grain size Analysis Test (ASTM D-1140)

Grain size analysis is an important parameter, to determine the percentage of different grain sizes
contained within a soil.The amount of soil materials finer than 0.075mm will determineaccording
to ASTM D-1140 “Standard Test Method for Amount of Material in the Soil Finer than the No.
200 Sieve”.

3.8.2. Specific Gravity of soil Test (ASTM D-854)

The specific gravity of each type of soil will determine according to ASTM D-854 “Standard
Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soils”.
Equipment’s:Volumetric flask, Balance sensitive, Vacuum pump, Distilled water, Funnel,
Spatula, Drying oven

3.8.3. Liquid Limit Test (ASTM D 4318)

The liquid limit for each type of soil will determine according to ASTM D-4318 “Standard Test
Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils”.
Equipment’s: mechanical liquid limit device casagrande type tool, porcelain in evaporating dish,
spatula, balance, oven, wash bottle, sample container, sieve

3.8.4. Plastic Limit Test (ASTM D-4318)

Plastic limit for each type of soil will determined according to ASTM D-4318 “Standard Test
Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils”.
The plastic limit is determined by rolling a small clay sample into threads and finding the water
content at which threads approximately 3 mm in diameter will just start to crumble.

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Equipment’s: mechanical liquid limit device casagrande type tool, porcelain in evaporating dish,
spatula, balance, oven, wash bottle, sample container, sieve

3.8.5 Atterberg Limits Test

It indicates the points at which the consistency of a fine-grained changes from a liquid state to a
plastic state (liquid limit), from a plastic state to a semisolid state (plastic limit), and from a
semisolid state to a solid state (shrinkage limit). They are used in classification of fine-grained
soils the sample of soil passing sieve No 40(0.425mm) is used to determine the Atterberg Limits.
Equipment’s: Casagrande cup, moisture content container, grooving tool,syringe, glass
spatual,balance,mixing bowl,soil sample,oven gloves.

3.8.6 Modified proctor compaction test (ASTMD-698)

The test method covers laboratory compaction procedures used to determine the relationship
between water content and dry unit weight of soils, compacted in 5 layers by 101.6mm diameter
mold with a 4.5kg hammer dropped from a height of 457mm producing a compaction effort of
2700KN/M2.
Equipment’s: Cylindrical metal mold, Rammer, Sensitive balance, oven, Steel straightedge,
Moisture container, Sieve, Tray and scoop, mixing tools (spatula).

3.9 Equipment’s we will use on site

 Shovel-is a tool for digging, lifting, and moving bulk materials, such as soil, coal, gravel,
snow, sand, or ore.

Figure 3. 2 Shovel

 measuring tape-It is a common measuring tool.

 Pick axe -it used to digging the earth/soil

Figure 3. 3 Pick axe

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3.10 Data Presentation and Analysis
There are many methods that we can use to check the validity of the relationships between two
or more variables. However, in this study the two common methods will be used, namely: scatter
plot and linear regression analysis.

3.10.1 Scatter Plot

In developing correlations, the first step is creating a scatter plot of the data, to visually assessthe
strength and form of some type of relationship.
 If the points are very close to each other, a fairly good amount of correlation can be
expected between the two variables. On the other hand if they are widely scattered a poor
correlation can be expected between them.
 If the points are scattered and they reveal no upward or downward trend then we say the
variables are uncorrelated.
 If there is an upward trend rising from the lower left hand corner and going upward to the
upper right hand corner, the correlation obtained from the graph is said to be positive.
Also, if there is a downward trend from the upper left hand corner the correlation
obtained is said to be negative. However, when determinations of the relationships among
more than two variables are required regression analysis is used and the SPSS software is
found to be the most powerful and descriptive tool.

3.10.2 Regression
Regression analysis is a statistical technique that is very useful in the field of engineering and
science in modeling and investigating relationships between two or more variables. The method
of regression analysis is used to develop the line or curve which provides the best fit through a
set of data points. The proposing correlation is carried out by applying a single linear regression
model and multiple linear regression models with the help of, MINITAB, and SPSS Software’s.

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3.11 Proposed Time Table

Table 3. 1 Time table

M o n t h M a r c h A p r i l M a y J u n e

1 Title selection
2 Acceptance of title

3 Gathering related reviews from secondary sources s

4 Organizing and starting of proposal
5 Submission of proposal
6 Data collection
7 Experimental work
8 Data analysis
9 R es ea rc h w ri ti ng
10 Submission of Research
11 Presentation

REFERENCES
1. Addis, K., Correlation between standard penetration test with unconfined compressive
strength and index properties of fine-grained soil, in Civil Engineering. 2016, Addis Ababa
University: Addis Ababa.

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2. Arrora KR. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Delhi: Standard publishers and
distributors; 1997.
3. Atsbeha N. (2012). Prediction of compaction characteristics from Atterberg limits for fine
grained soils. A thesis presented to School of Graduate Studies. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa
University; 2012.
4. ASTM. Standard Test Method for Soil and Rock. Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
Philadelphia, U.S.A; 2004.
5. ASTM, Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of
Soil and Rock by Mass, in D 2216 – 98. 1998: West Conshohocken.
6. Budhu M. Soil Mechanics & Foundations. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2000.
7. Budhu, M., Soil mechanics and foundations. 3rd ed. 2011, United States of America: John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.
8. Das, B., Advanced Soil Mechanics. 3rd ed.2008, New York, USA: Taylor &Francise
Library.
9. Douglas CM. and George CR. Applied Statistics and Probability for Engineers. 3rd ed.
USA: John Wiley & Sons; 2003.
10. Murthy VNS.Geotechnical Engineering, Principles and Practice of Soil Mechanics and
Foundation Engineering. New York: Marcel Dekker, INC; 2007.
11. Nagaraj HB, Reesha B, Sravan MV and Suresh MR. Correlation of compaction
characterisitics of natural soils with modified plastic limit. Journal of transportation
geotechnics. 2015; 2:65-77.
12. Raju, V., Srimurali, M. and Prasad,K., Functional Correlations between Compaction
Characteristics, Un-drained Shear Strength and Atterberg Limits. IOSR Journal of
Mechanicaland Civil Engineering, 2014.11(3).
13. Teferra, A.a.L., M, Soil Mechanics.1999, Addis Ababa Addis Ababa University.
14. Tesfamichael, T., correlation between compaction characteristics and atterberg limits of fine
grained soil found in Addis Ababa. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering
Research, 2017. 8(6).
15. Source of map:Wolaita sodo town

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