1.

0 Introduction
Compaction of crushed aggregate/soil is a mechanical process by which the crushed
aggregate/soil are placed by reducing the air voids. This is turn reduces air voids and
increased density but may also increases shear strength. Increase in dry density of crushed
aggregate/soil to compaction mainly depend the moisture content and the effort of
compaction. The increased the moisture content at a given amount of compaction to
density of crushed aggregate/soil first increased and then decreases. There exists a
moisture content that called optimum content OMC at which crushed aggregate/soil has
maximum dry density.

2.0 Objective
To determine the optimum moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry density of the
given crushed aggregate/soil sample using modified compaction test. Also to determine
the relation between water content and dry density of soil.

3.0 Apparatus
I. Molds having internal diameter, of 152.4 0.66 mm and a height of 116.43
0.127 mm and capacity 2124 cm3.
II. Mechanically operated metal rammer capable of freefall 457 mm weighing 4.54 kg
and of diameter 50.8 mm.
III. Steel straight edge having beleved edge for trimming top of the specimen.
IV. Moisture container.
V. Balanced of capacity 10 kg and 200g.
VI. Mixing tools.
VII. Moisture cans
VIII. Drying oven.
4.0 Procedures.
1. The apparatus is prepares include aggregate/soil materials.
2. The selected representative sample is thoroughly mix with the sufficient water
dampen it to approximately four percentage point below the OMC.
3. A specimen by compacting the prepared crushed aggregate/soil in the mold in five
approximate layers are formed to give a total compacted depth of about 127 mm
each layer being compacted 56 times uniformly distributed blows.
4. The extension collar is removed, and the trim the compacted crushed
aggregate/soil is carefully using a straight Edge, and the mold and wet soil is
weighed.
5. The procedure for three more samples with increased moisture (5%, 7% and 9%
above the expected OMC).

5.0 Calculations.
Water content 3%.
WI = 11950 g
W2 = 21242 g
V = 2124 cm3
21 2124211950
= g/cm3 = = 4.37 g/cm3
2124 3

Average A = 0.075 B = 0.272 C = 0.268

Water content, =

0.2720.268 0.004
= = = 0.021 x 100%
0.2680.075 0.193
= 2.1 %
4.37 /3
Wet dry, = 1+ = = 4.28 g/cm3.
1+0.021
 Water content 5%

W1 = 11950 g

W2= 21238 g

V = 2124 cm3
21 2123811950
= g/cm3 = = 4.37 g/cm3
2124 3

Average A = 0.074 B = 0.274 C = 0.266

Water content, =

0.2740.266 0.008
= 0.2660.074 = 0.192 = 0.042 x 100%

= 4.2 %
4.37 /3
Wet dry, = 1+ = = 4.19 g/cm3.
1+0.042

Water content 7%

W1 = 11950 g

W2= 21502 g

V = 2124 cm3
21 2150211950
= g/cm3 = = 4.50 g/cm3
2124 3

Average A = 0.077 B = 0.277 C = 0.262

Water content, =

0.2770.262 0.015
= 0.2620.077 = = 0.08 x 100%
0.19

= 8.0 %
4.50 /3
Wet dry, = 1+ = 1+0.08
= 4.17 g/cm3.
 Water content 9%

W1 = 11950 g

W2= 21553 g

V = 2124 cm3
21 2155311950
= g/cm3 = = 4.52 g/cm3
2124 3

Average A = 0.047 B = 0.247 C = 0.230

Water content, =

0.2470.230 0.017
= 0.2300.047 = 0.183 = 0.09 x 100%

= 9.0 %
4.52 /3
Wet dry, = 1+ = = 4.15 g/cm3.
1+0.09

The dry density, () vs Water content is plotted.

6.0 Forms and Calculations.

Water Content % 3 5 7 9
Weight of empty mould = W1(gm) 11950 11950 11950 11950
Weight of mould + wet sample = W2 (gm) 21242 21238 21502 21553
Volume of mould= V (cm3) 2124 2124 2124 2124
21
Wet density, =
g/cm3 4.37 4.37 4.50 4.52

A 0.069 0.073 0.066 0.049

B 0.079 0.075 0.091 0.058
Weight of empty container = A
C 0.078 0.075 0.073 0.035
Average 0.075 0.074 0.077 0.047
A O.269 0.273 0.266 0.249
Weight of container + wet crushed B 0.279 0.275 0.691 0.258
aggregate = B C 0.275 0.275 0.273 0.235
Average O.272 0.274 0.277 0.247
A 0.266 0.265 0.252 0.230
Wt. of can + dry crushed aggregate B 0.271 0.265 0.276 0.240
=C C 0.266 0.267 0.259 0.220
Average 0.268 0.266 0.262 0.230

Water Content, =
0.021 0.042 0.080 0.090
7.0 Discussion