Experiment No.

1
COMPACTION TEST

1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to introduce the concept of compaction and the relationship of moisture
content to the dry unit weight of the soil.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
 Connect the significance of compaction test in other properties of soil.
 determine the relative density of soils by compaction test.
 describe the use of water in relation to the dry density of the soil.

3. Discussion:

Soil Compaction is generally the cheapest method of improving the engineering properties of the soil. In
compaction, the soil solids are forced to a tighter state in order to achieve a higher unit weight and reduce
the air voids.

The process of compaction is better understood by comprehension of the behavior of a soil mass under
compaction. In a dry condition, the frictional resistance of the soil would resist granular rearrangement;
therefore, the compacting force is not quite effective. Introduction of a lubricant such as a predetermined
amount of water is mixed, would then be absorbed by soil particles, forming minutely thin and coherent
water films around the particles. In this condition, the soil particles will readily move closer together under
the compacting pressure due to the lubricating effect of water and reduced frictional resistance. When a
certain amount of water, called the optimum, has been added, the compacting force completely
overcomes the frictional resistance and maximum density of the soil mass is attained.

4. Resources:

1. Compaction mold and hammer

2. Moisture sprayer
3. No. 4 sieve
4. Rubbed tipped pestle
5. Scoop
6. Spatula
7. Large mixing pan
8. Balance
9. Drying oven

5. Procedure:

1. Weigh the empty mold.

2. Obtain a 6 lb. representative specimen of the soil sample to be tested. Break sample with the
use of rubber pestle and pass through No. 4 sieve.
3. Form a 2 to 3 inch layer using the soil passing though No. 4 sieve.
4. Press soil until it is smooth and compact it with a specific number of evenly distributed blows of
the hammer, using a one foot drop. Rotate the hammer to ensure a uniform distribution of blows.
5. Repeat the same procedure for the second and third layers seeing to it that a uniform distribution
of blows.
6. After compaction of the third layer the soil should be slightly above the top rim of the mold.
7. Remove the collar and trim off the soil from the top of the mold. Tart trimming along the center
and work towards end of the mold.
8. After the soil has been made even with the top of the mold and all base soil cleaned from the
outside, weigh the cylinder sample to 10 lb.
 9. Remove the soil from cylinder and obtain a representative sample of 50gm for a water content
determination. The water content sample should be made up with specimens from the top,
middle and bottom of the compacted soil.
10. Break up by hand then removed from the cylinder and remix with the original sample and raise
its water content by 3% by adding water to the sample with sprayer. Mix the soil thoroughly. By
weighing the sprayer before and after the spraying, the amount of water added is known.
11. Keep repeating the procedures for 5 to six times until soil is sticky. Use 3% approximate water
content.
12. Compute dry density of each sample and plot the compaction curve. Determine the Optimum
Moisture Content of the sample.

Course: CE 510 Foundation Engineering Experiment No.: 1

Group No.: Section: CE52FB1
Group Leader: Godoy Jr., Reynaldo T. Date Performed: 11/13/2018
Group Members: Date Submitted: 11/29/2018
1. Flores, Albert Andrew S. Instructor: Engr. Rhonnie Estores
2. Ganuelas, Charlene Mae A.
3. Riva, Andrei Xavier A.
4. Vinarao, Marvin B.

6. Data and Results:

Determination of Optimum Moisture Content

Description Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Weight of mold (W ) m 1555 g 1555 g 1555 g
Weight of mold + compacted 3047 g 3094 g 3391 g
soil (W )
m+s

Weight of compacted soil (Ws) 1492 g 1539 g 1836 g

Volume of Mold 9.5821 x 10 −4
9.5821 x 10−4 9.5821 x 10−4
Wet Unit Weight (γ ) wet 1557.07 kg/𝑚 3
1606.12 kg/𝑚3 1916.07 kg/𝑚3
Wt of tin cup (W )
c 7g 7g 7g
Wt. of tin cup + Wet Soil (W ) c+ws48 g 66 g 26 g
Wt. of tin cup and dry soil (W ) 46 g
c+dc 63 g 23 g
Wt. of water (W )
w 2g 3g 3g
Wt. of dry soil (W )ds 39 g 56 g 16 g
Water Content (ω) 4.16 % 4.54 % 11.54 %
Dry unit weight (γ ) dry 1494.88 kg/𝑚 3
1536.37 kg/𝑚3 1717.83 kg/𝑚3
Optimum Moisture Content 1717.83 kg/𝑚3
(OMC)

Compaction Curve:
1750

1700

1650

1600

1550

1500

1450

1400

1350
4.16 4.64 11.54
7. Conclusion:
In the curve data formed, we can see that every trial there is an increase in moisture content
which we would see that the third trial is the optimal moisture content, lastly type of soil is the
primary factor affecting maximum dry unit weight and optimum moisture content for a given
compaction test.

8. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT

CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3
I. Laboratory Skills
Members
Members always
Manipulative Members do not occasionally
demonstrate needed
Skills demonstrate needed skills. demonstrate needed
skills.
skills
Members are able to
Members are able to
Experimental Members are unable to set- set-up the material
set-up the materials
Set-up up the materials. with minimum
with supervision.
supervision.
Members Members always
Members do not
occasionally demonstrate
Process Skills demonstrate targeted
demonstrate targeted targeted process
process skills.
process skills. skills.
Members follow Members follow
Safety Members do not follow
safety precautions safety precautions at
Precautions safety precautions.
most of the time. all times.
II. Work Habits
Time Members finish
Members finish on
Management / Members do not finish on ahead of time with
time with incomplete
Conduct of time with incomplete data. complete data and
data.
Experiment time to revise data.
Members are on
Members have
tasks and have
defined
Members do not know their defined
responsibilities most
tasks and have no defined responsibilities at all
Cooperative of the time. Group
responsibilities. Group times. Group
and Teamwork conflicts are
conflicts have to be settled conflicts are
cooperatively
by the teacher. cooperatively
managed most of the
managed at all
time.
times.
 Clean and orderly
Clean and orderly
workplace with
Neatness and Messy workplace during and workplace at all
occasional mess
Orderliness after the experiment. times during and
during and after the
after the experiment.
experiment.
Members require Members do not
Ability to do
Members require occasional need to be
independent
supervision by the teacher. supervision by the supervised by the
work
teacher. teacher.
Other Comments/Observations: Total Score
Rating=(Total Score)24
×100

9. References
Murthy, V.N.S. (2011). Textbook of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Singapore: Alken
Company

American Society for Testing and Materials (2000). Standard Test Method for Laboratory Compaction
Characteristics using Modified Effort (D-1557). Pennsylvania: ASTM International