BY

Eng SAM Hilmy

Soil Compaction
-Soil compaction is defined as the method of
mechanically increasing the density of soil.
- In construction, this is a significant part of the
building process. If performed improperly,
settlement of the soil could occur and result in
unnecessary maintenance costs or structure
failure.
-Almost all types of building sites and
construction projects utilize mechanical
compaction techniques.
Following are important elements in soil compaction:
- Soil type
- Soil moisture content
- Compaction effort required
• These different types of effort are found in the two principle types of
compaction force: static and vibratory.
Static force
– Static force is simply the deadweight of the machine, applying downward
force on the soil surface, compressing the soil particles.
– The only way to change the effective compaction force is by adding or
subtracting the weight of the machine. Static compaction is confined to
upper soil layers and is limited to any appreciable depth. Kneading and
pressure are two examples of static compaction.
Vibratory force
- Vibratory force uses a mechanism, usually engine-driven, to create a
downward force in addition to the machine's static weight.
-The vibrating mechanism is usually a rotating eccentric weight or
piston/spring combination (in rammers). The compactors deliver a rapid
sequence of blows (impacts) to the surface, thereby affecting the top layers
as well as deeper layers.
-Vibration moves through the material, setting particles in motion and
moving them closer together for the highest density possible. Based on the
materials being compacted, a certain amount of force must be used to
overcome the cohesive nature of particular particles.
Static mechanism
Static Roller
Vibrating Roller – Double Drum
Vibratory mechanism
Vibrating Roller – Single Drum
 Pneumatic Roller
• Initial compaction of the surfaces is done using a pneumatic-
tyred roller, where instead the single- or double-drum is
replaced by two rows (front and back) of pneumatically filled
tyres. The flexibility of the tyres, with a certain amount of
vertical movement of the wheels, enables the roller to
operate effectively on uneven ground. The finish is done using
metal-drum rollers to ensure a smooth, even result.
Pneumatic Roller
 Sheep’s Foot Rollers
• Rollers are also used in land fill compaction. Such compactors
typically have knobbed ('sheep’s-foot') wheels and do not
attempt to achieve a smooth surface. The knobs aid in
compression due to a smaller surface area being in contact
with the ground
Standard proctor test
 Moisture-Density (Compaction) Relationship
(Standard Proctor)
• When additives such as Portland cement, lime, or fly
ash are used to determine the maximum density of
mixed compacted soils in the laboratory, care should
be taken to duplicate the expected delay period
between mixing and compaction in the field.
• It should be kept in mind that these chemical additives
start reacting as soon as they are added to the wet soil.
• They cause substantial changes in soil properties,
including densities achievable by compaction.
• If in the field the period between mixing and
compaction is expected to be three hours, for example,
then in the laboratory the compaction of the soil
should also be delayed three hours after mixing the
stabilizing additives.
Optimum moisture content
Poor Compaction results
Soil Compaction test ( In situ)
Thank you