CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF WISDOM SEATS

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY I

LABORATORY GUIDE

SOIL COMPACTION IN THE LABORATORY USING ENERGY

MODIFIED (56,000 lb-ft/ft3 [2,700 kN-m/m3]) (MODIFIED PROCTOR)

Reference.

ASTM D-1557, J. E. Bowles (Experiment No. 9), MTC E 115-2000

OBJECTIVE

This essay covers the compaction procedures used in the laboratory to determine the
relationship between Water Content and Dry Unit Weight of soils (compaction curve)
compressed in a mold of 4 or 6 inches (101.6 or 152.4 mm) in diameter with a ram of 10 lbf
(44.5 N) that falls from a height of 18 inches (457 mm), producing Compaction Energy
56,000 lb-ft/ft3 (2,700 kN-m/m3).

Note 1: Soils and soil-aggregate mixtures are considered as fine or coarse-grained soils.
composed or mixtures of processed natural soils or aggregates such as gravel, silt, or crushed stone.
Note 2: The equipment and procedure are the same as those proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
United in 1945. The Modified Effort Test is sometimes referred to as Compaction Test.
Modified Proctor.

This essay applies only to soils that have 30% or less by weight of their particles retained in
the 3/4" sieve (19.0 mm).

Note 3: For relationships between Unit Weight and Moisture Content of soils with 30% or less by weight of
material retained on the 3/4" mesh (19.0 mm) to unit weights and moisture content of the passing fraction
the 3/4" (19.0 mm) mesh, see ASTM D 4718 test ("Testing method for correction of Unit Weight")
and Water Content in soils containing oversized particles.

Three alternative methods are provided. The method used must be indicated in the specifications of the
material to be tested. If the method is not specified, the choice will be based on the grading of the
material.

• DEVICES

•Mold Assembly.- The molds must be cylindrical.

made of rigid materials and with the indicated capacity
in Figures 1 and 2. The walls of the mold must be solid,
games or sharpened. The type "party" must have two
circular media sections, or a divided tube section
along an element that can be closed in shape
ensure forming a cylinder that meets the requirements of this
section.
The extension collar must align with the interior of the
mold, the bottom part of the base plate and the central area
The hollow that accepts the cylindrical mold must be flat.
4-inch mold.- A mold that has an average
4,000 ± 0,016 in. (101.6 ± 0.4 mm) inner diameter,

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 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SEDES SAPIENTIAE
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LAB I

a height of 4.584 ± 0.018 in (116.4 ± 0.5 mm) and a volume of 0.0333 ± 0.0005 ft3 (944 ± 14
A mold with the minimum required characteristics is shown in Fig. 1.
6-inch mold.- A mold that has an average of 6,000 ± 0.026 in. (152.4 ± 0.7 mm)
inner diameter, a height of: 4.584 ± 0.018 in. (116.4 ± 0.5 mm) and a volume of 0.075 ± 0.0009
pie3 (2,124 ± 25 cm3). A mold with the minimum required characteristics is shown in Fig.2.
•Pounder or Hammer.- A pounder operated manually or mechanically. The pounder must fall freely to
a distance of 18 ± 0.05 in. (457.2 ± 1.6 mm) from the specimen surface.

Note 5: It is common and acceptable practice in the pound-inch system to assume that the mass of
a pound is equal to its determined mass used as a scale in kilograms or pounds, and a pound -
Force is equal to 1 pound-mass or 0.4536 kg or 1N is equal to 0.2248 pound-mass or 0.1020 kg.

Sample Extractor (optional).- It can be a cat, structure, or another mechanism adapted with the
purpose of extracting the compacted specimens from the mold.
Balance.- A scale with an accuracy of 1 gram.
•Drying Oven.- With thermostat control preferably of the forced ventilation type, capable of
maintain a uniform temperature of 230 ± 9 ºF (110 ± 5 ºC) throughout the drying chamber.
Rule.- A metal ruler, rigid, of a convenient length but not less than 10 inches (254
The total length of the straight rule must be adjusted directly to a tolerance of ±0.005 inch.
(±0.1 mm). The drag edge must be beveled if it is thicker than 1/8 inch (3 mm).
•Screens or Meshes.- Of ¾ inch (19.0 mm), 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) and No. 4 (4.75 mm), according to the
requirements of the ASTM E11 specifications ("Specification for metal mesh for purposes of
essay
Mixing Tools.- Various tools such as spoons, mixer, palette, spatula,
spray bottle, etc. or an appropriate mechanical device for the complete mixing of soil sample
with water increments.

METHOD 'A'
Mold - 4 inches in diameter (101.6mm)
Material.- Use the one that passes through sieve No. 4 (4.75 mm).
Layers.- 5
Hits per layer.- 25
Usage - When 20% or less of the material's weight is retained on sieve No. 4 (4.75 mm).
Other Uses.- If the method is not specified; the materials that meet these requirements
grading can be tested using Method B or C.

METHOD 'B'
Mold - 4 inches (101.6 mm) in diameter.
•Materials.- The one that passes through the 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) sieve is used.
Layers.- 5
Hits by layer - 25
Uses.- When more than 20% of the weight of the material is retained on sieve No. 4 (4.75mm) and 20% or
Less weight of the material is retained on the 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) sieve.
•Other Uses: If the method is not specified, and the materials meet the gradation requirements.
They can be rehearsed using Method C.

METHOD 'C'
Mold - 6 in. (152.4 mm) in diameter.
Materials.- The one that passes through the ¾ inch (19.0 mm) sieve is used.
Layers - 5

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 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SEAT OF WISDOM
FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LAB I

Hits per Layer.- 56

Uses.- When more than 20% by weight of the material is retained on the 3/8 inch (9.53 mm) sieve and less.
30% by weight is retained on the ¾ inch (19.0 mm) sieve.
The 6-inch (152.4 mm) diameter mold will not be used with methods A or B.

Note 4: The results tend to vary slightly when the material is tested with the same effort.
of compacting in molds of different sizes.

If the test specimen contains more than 5% by weight of extradimensional fraction (fraction
thick) and the material will not be included in the test, corrections must be made to the Unit Weight and
Water content of the test specimen or field density using the testing method
ASTM D-4718.

This testing method will generally produce a well-defined Maximum Dry Unit Weight for
soils that do not drain freely. If the method is used for soils that drain freely the maximum
Dry Unit Weight will not be well defined and may be lower than that obtained using the Method.
ASTM D-4253 Test (Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soil Using a Vibratory Table).

DEFINITIONS

A soil with a determined moisture content is placed in 5 layers inside a mold of

certain dimensions, each of the layers is compacted in 25 or 56 blows with a ram of 10 lbf (44.5
N) from a drop height of 18 inches (457 mm), subjecting the ground to a stress of
total compaction of approximately 56,000 ft-lbf/ft³ (2,700 kN-m/m³). The Weight is determined
Resulting Dry Unit. The procedure is repeated with a sufficient number of water contents.
to establish a relationship between the Dry Unit Weight and the Water Content of the Soil. This data,
when plotted, they represent a curvilinear relationship known as the Compaction curve.
optimal water content values and maximum modified dry unit weight are determined from
the Compaction Curve.

IMPORTANCE AND USE

The soil used as fill in Engineering (embankments, foundation fills, bases for roads)
it is compacted to a dense state to obtain satisfactory engineering properties such as:
resistance to shear stress, compressibility or permeability. Also the soils of foundations
are often compacted to improve their engineering properties. The compaction tests
In the laboratory, they provide the basis for determining the percentage of compaction and content of
water needed to obtain the required engineering properties, and for control of the
construction to ensure the required compaction and water content.

During the design of Engineering fills, consolidation shear tests are used.
permeability or other tests that require the preparation of compacted test specimens at
some water content for some Unit Weight. It is common practice to first determine the optimum
moisture content (wo) and the Maximum Dry Unit Weight through a compaction test. The
compaction specimens at a selected water content (w), whether on the wet side or dry side of the
optimal (wo) or to the optimal (wo) and to a selected dry unit weight relative to a percentage of the weight
Maximum dry unit (max). The selection of water content (w), whether from the wet or dry side of the
optimal (wo) or the optimal (wo), and the Dry Unit Weight (max) should be based on past experiences, or
A series of values must be investigated to determine the necessary compaction percentage.

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 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SEDES SAPIENTIAE
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY I

SAMPLES

The required sample for Method A and B is approximately 35 lbm (16 kg) and for Method C is
approximately 65 lb (29 kg) of dry soil. Due to this, the field sample must have a weight
moist of at least 50 lb (23 kg) and 100 lb (45 kg) respectively.
Determine the percentage of material retained on screen No. 4 (4.75mm), 3/8 inch (9.5mm) or 3/4 inch.
(19.0mm) to choose Method A, B, or C. Make this determination by separating a portion
representative of the total sample and establish the percentages that pass the meshes of interest through
the Method of Sieve Analysis for Coarse and Fine Aggregate (MTC E–204). It is only necessary for
calculate the percentages for a sieve or sieves for which the information is desired.

PREPARATION OF EQUIPMENT

Select the appropriate compaction mold according to the Method (A, B, or C) to be used.
Determine and record its mass with an approximation to the gram. Assemble the mold, base, and collar of
extension. Check the alignment of the interior wall of the mold and the extension collar of the mold.
Adjust if necessary.
Check that the assembly of the ram is in good working condition and that its parts are not
loose or worn out. Make any necessary adjustments or repairs. If the adjustments or repairs are
facts, the hammer will need to be recalibrated.

SOIL TEST PROCEDURE:

Do not reuse the soil that has been previously compacted in the laboratory.
Use the wet preparation method

Wet Preparation Method (Preferred).- Without prior drying of the sample, pass it through the
sieve No. 4 (4.75 mm), 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) or ¾ inch (19.0 mm), depending on the method to be used
(A, B or C). Determine the water content of the processed soil.

Prepare at least four (preferably five) specimens with water content so that
these have a water content as close to the estimated optimum as possible. A specimen that has a
Moisture content close to optimal should be prepared first by adding water and mixing.
(see Note 6). Select the water contents for the remaining specimens so that
resulting in at least two specimens, wet and two dry according to the optimal water content,
that vary around 2%. At a minimum, two water contents on the dry side are necessary and
moisture of the optimum to define exactly the compaction curve. Some soils with very high
optimal water content or a relatively flat compaction curve require large
increments of water content to obtain a well-defined Maximum Dry Unit Weight. The
water content increases shall not exceed 4%.

Note 6: With practice, it is possible to visually judge a point close to the optimal water content.
Generally, soil with an optimal water content can be compacted and remain so when the pressure
manual breaks, but it will break into two sections when bent. In water contents on the dry side of
Optimal, soils tend to disintegrate; on the humid side of the optimum, they remain united in a mass.
sticky cohesive. The optimal moisture content is often slightly lower than the limit.
plastic.

Use approximately 5 lb (2.3 kg) of the sieved soil in each specimen that is compacted using
Method A or B; or 13 lb (5.9 kg) when using Method C. To obtain the contents of
specimen water, add or remove the required amounts of water as follows:
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 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF WISDOM SEATS
FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY I

Gradually add water to the soil during the mixing; to remove the water, let the soil dry.
in the air at room temperature or in a drying device so that the temperature of the
The temperature should not exceed 140 ºF (60 ºC). Continually mix the soil during the drying process.
to maintain the distribution of water everywhere and then set it aside in a container with
Cover it and place it according to Table No. 1 before compaction.

• Dry Preparation Method.- If the sample is too wet, reduce the water content.
by air drying until the material is crumbly. Drying can be done by air or by using a device.
drying so that the sample temperature does not exceed 140 ºF (60 ºC). completely disaggregate
the lumps in such a way as to prevent grinding the individual particles. Pass the material through the sieve.
appropriate: No. 4 (4.75 mm), 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) or ¾ inch (19.0 mm). During the preparation of
granular material that passes through the ¾ inch sieve for compaction in the 6 inch mold, to disaggregate
to separate the aggregates sufficiently so that they pass through the 3/8 inch sieve in order to facilitate the
water distribution through the soil in the subsequent mixing.
Prepare a minimum of four (preferably five) specimens.
Use approximately 5 lb (2.3 kg) of the sifted soil for each specimen to be compacted when
use Method A, B or 13 pounds (5.9 kg) when using Method C. Add the amounts
water requirements so that the water content of the specimens has the described values
previously. Continue with the specimen preparation, for dry soils or addition of water in the
soil and the curing of each test specimen.

Compaction.- After curing, if required, each specimen will be compacted as follows

way

Determine and record the mass of the mold or mold and the base plate.
Assemble and secure the mold and the collar to the base plate. The method of linking or joining to the rigid foundation.
It must allow for easy demolding of the assembled mold, the collar, and the base plate after it has been
complete the compaction.
•Compact the specimen into five layers. After compaction, each layer must have
approximately the same thickness. Before compaction, place the loose soil inside the
mold it and spread it into a layer of uniform thickness. Gently compact the soil before the
compaction until it is no longer in a loose or fluffy state, using the manual tamper
compaction or a cylinder of 2 inches (5 mm) in diameter. Subsequently to the compaction of each
one of the first four layers, any soil adjacent to the walls of the mold that has not been
compacted or extended near the compacted surface will be trimmed. The trimmed soil may
be included with the additional soil for the next layer. A knife or another available device can
be used. The total amount of land used will be such that the fifth compacted layer will extend
slightly inside the collar, but it will not exceed 1/4 inch (6 mm) from the top of the mold. If the
The fifth layer extends more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) from the top of the mold, the specimen will be
discarded. The specimen will be discarded when the last blow of the tamper for the fifth layer is done.
below the top part of the compaction mold.

Compact each layer with 25 blows for the 4-inch mold (101.6 mm) or 56 blows for the mold
6 inches (152.4 mm).

Note 7: When the compaction specimens are moistened more than the optimum water content, they can
irregular compacted surfaces may occur and the operator's judgment will be required for the average height.
of the specimen.

When operating the manual tamper, care must be taken to avoid raising the guide.
while the ram rises. Keep the guide firmly and within 5º of the vertical. Apply the

TEST MANUAL 5
 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SEDES SAPIENTIAE
FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LAB I

hits in a uniform relationship of approximately 25 hits/minute and in such a way that

provide complete and uniform coverage of the specimen surface.
After compacting the last layer, remove the collar and base plate from the mold. The knife
It should be used to adjust or fix the ground adjacent to the collar, releasing the ground from the collar and
removing without allowing the tearing of the ground beneath the top of the mold.
Carefully level the compacted specimen using a straightedge across the part
superior and inferior of the mold to form a flat surface on the top and bottom of the mold.
Fill any hole in the surface with unused or cleared soil from the specimen, press down with
the fingers and scrape again with a straight ruler across the top and bottom of the mold.
Determine and record the mass of the specimen and mold with an approximation to the gram. When left attached
the base plate to the mold, determine and record the mass of the specimen, mold, and base plate with
approximation to the gram.
Remove the material from the mold. Obtain a specimen to determine the water content using
the entire specimen (this method refers to) or a representative portion. When the whole is used
specimen, break it to facilitate drying. Otherwise, a portion can be obtained by cutting.
axially through the center of the compacted specimen and removing 500 g of material from the sides
cut down. Obtain the moisture content.
After the compaction of the last specimen, compare the Wet Unit Weights for
ensure that the desired pattern of data acquisition on each side of the optimal moisture content
achieved in the compaction curve for each Dry Unit Weight and plot the Unit Weight
Moisture and Water Content of each compacted specimen can be helpful to carry out this
evaluation. If the desired pattern is not obtained, it will be necessary to compact additional specimens.
Generally, a water content value greater than the water content defined by the maximum
Wet Unit Weight is sufficient to ensure data on the wetter side than optimal.
water content for maximum dry unit weight.

CALCULATIONS

Calculate the Dry Unit Weight and Water Content for each compacted specimen, Plot them
values and draw the compaction curve as a smooth curve through the points (see example,
Figure 3). Plot the Dry Unit Weight with an approximation of 0.1 lbf/ft³ (0.2 kN/m³) and water content
approximately 0.1%. Based on the compaction curve, determine the Optimal Water Content and
the Maximum Dry Unit Weight. If more than 5% by weight of the oversized material (larger size)
was removed from the sample, calculate the maximum Specific Weight and optimal Moisture content
corrected total material using ASTM D4718 Standard ("Test method for correction
of Unit Weight and Water Content in soils containing oversized particles." This
correction should be made to the field density test specimen, rather than to the specimen of
laboratory essay.

Plot the saturation curve at 100%. The water content values for the 100% condition.
Saturation can be calculated using formula (4) (see example, Fig. 3).

Note 8: The saturation curve at 100% is a help in sketching the compaction curve. For soils
that contain more than 10% fines at water contents that exceed the optimum, the two curves generally
They become approximately parallel to the wet side of the compaction curve between 92% and 95%
of saturation. Theoretically, the compaction curve cannot be drawn to the right of the 100% curve.
of saturation. If this occurs, there is an error in the specific gravity, in the measurements, in the calculations, in
testing procedures or in the plotting.

Note 9: The 100% saturation curve is sometimes referred to as the void ratio curve.
zero or the complete saturation curve.

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 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF SEDES SAPIENTIAE
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY I

Water Content, w.

Dry Unit Weight - Calculate the wet density (Eq. 1), the dry density (Eq. 2), and then the Weight
Unitario Seco (Ec.3) as follows:

Where:
m= Wet Density of the compacted specimen (Mg/m3)

MtWeight of the wet specimen and mold (kg)

MmdMold compacting mass (kg)
V = Volume of the compaction mold (m3) (See Annex A1)

Where:
Pd = Dry density of the compacted specimen (Mg/m3)
w = water content (%)

γd= 62,43din lbf/ft3………….. (3)

γd= 9,807din kN/m3…………..(4) .

Where:
γd = dry unit weight of the compacted specimen.

In the calculation of the points for plotting the 100% saturation curve or relationship curve of
zero voids of dry unit weight, select the corresponding values of water content to the
condition of 100% saturation as follows:

Where:
WsatWater content for complete saturation (%).
γw = Unit weight of water 62.43 lbf/ft³ or (9.807 kN/m³).
γd = Dry unit weight of the soil.
GsSpecific gravity of the soil.

Note 10.- The specific gravity can be calculated for the test specimens based on the database of
tests of other samples of the same soil classification and origin. Otherwise, it would be necessary to conduct the test
of Specific Gravity

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 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF WISDOM SEATS
FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY I

Table No. 01
Established and required times for moistening specimens
Classification Minimum stay time in hours
GW, GP, SW, SP Not required
GM, SM 3
All other floors 16

TERMINOLOGY

Definitions - See ASTM D-653 Terminology for general definitions.

•Description of Specific Terms for this Standard:
Modified Effort - It is the term applied for the compaction effort of 56,000 lb-ft/ft3.
(2 700 kN-m/m3) applied by the equipment and procedures of this test.
Maximum Modified Dry Unit Weight, max (lbf/ft3 or kN/m3), the maximum value defined by the
compaction curve of the test using the modified effort.
•Modified Optimum Moisture Content, wo (%).- It is the water content at which the soil can
to be compacted to the maximum Dry Unit Weight using Modified Compaction effort.
Fraction of larger size (Coarse Fraction), Pc(%).- It is the portion of the total sample that does not
used in the execution of the compaction test; this can be the portion of the total sample retained
in mesh No. 4 (3.74 mm), 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) or ¾ inch (19.0 mm).
•Tested or Sample Fraction (Fine Fraction), PF (%).- The part of the total sample used in the
compaction test execution; this may be the passing fraction of sieve No. 4 (4.75 mm) in
Method A, smaller than the 3/8 inch mesh (9.5 mm) in Method B, or smaller than the 3/4 inch mesh (19.0
mm) in Method C.

MANUAL OF ESSAY 8
 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF WISDOM SEATS
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY I

TEST MANUAL 9
 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SEDES SAPIENTIAE
FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY I

TEST MANUAL 10