SOIL COMPACTION
PROBLEMS
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
Specifications on a job required a fill using
borrow soil to be compacted at 95% of its
standard Proctor test maximum dry density.
Tests indicate that this maximum is 19.5 KN/m3
with 12% moisture. The borrow material has a
void ratio of 0.60 and solid sp. gr. of 2.65.
1. Compute the dry unit weight of the
compacted soil. 18.525 KN/m3
2. Compute the minimum volume of borrow soil
required to fill one cum. 1.14 cum
Given: Required:
R% = 95% a. Ɣd(field - compacted)
Ɣd(max-lab) = 19.5 KN/m3 @ w = 12% b. Vborrow-field
Borrow Soil: e = 0.60, Gs = 2.65
Solutions:
𝛾𝑑 (𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑) Vborrow
a.) 𝑅% = b.)
𝛾𝑑 (𝑚𝑎𝑥−𝑙𝑎𝑏)
1cu.m
𝛾𝑑 (𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑)
95% = 𝑉 𝑉
19.5 𝐾𝑁/𝑚3
=
1+𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 1+𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤
𝜸𝒅 (𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅) = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟓𝟐𝟓 𝑲𝑵/𝒎𝟑
1 𝑐𝑢.𝑚 𝑉
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 =
𝛾𝑑(𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑) = 1+.4 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 1+0.6 𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤
1+𝑒
(2.65)(9.81)
18.525 = 𝑽𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟒 𝒎𝟑
1+𝑒
e = 0.40
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
The relative compaction of a sand in the field is
94%. The max and min dry unit weights of the
sand are 16.2 KN/m3 and 14.9 KN/m3,
respectively.
1. Compute the dry unit weight in the field.
15.23 KN/m3
2. For field conditions, compute the relative
density of compaction. 27%
Given: Required:
R% = 94% a.) Ɣd(field)
Ɣd(max-lab) = 16.2 KN/m3 Ɣd(min-lab) = 14.9 KN/m3
Ɣd(min-lab) = 14.9 KN/m3
Solutions:
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3
A compacted soil with a wet density of 18.5
KN/m3 has 97% of its pore spaces filled with
water at a moisture content of 29.5%.
1. Determine the sp. gr. of soil. 2.59
2. Determine the void ratio. 0.78
3. Determine the porosity. 0.44
Given: Required:
Solutions:
R% = 95%
Ɣd(max-lab) = 19.5 KN/m3 @ w = 12%
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
The field compacted of sandy loam was found to
have a wet density of 2181 kg/m3 at a water content
of 10%. The maximum dry unit weight of the soil
obtained in Standard Proctor Test was 2000 kg/m3.
Assume specific gravity to be 2.65. Compute the ff:
1. Dry unit weight. 19.45 KN/m3
2. Dry unit weight at zero voids. 20.55 KN/m3
3. Degree of saturation. 78.57%
4. Porosity. 25.2%
5. Percent compaction of the field sample. 99.14%
Given: Required:
Solutions:
R% = 95%
Ɣd(max-lab) = 19.5 KN/m3 @ w = 12%
HOMEWORK
SOIL COMPACTION
PROBLEM 1
An embankment with a total volume of 20000 cum is to be
constructed as part of a highway project. The soil to be used in
the embankment will come from a borrow pit where the
average moist soil unit weight and water content of the soil is
17.6 KN/m3 and 12%, respectively. Assuming that the soil will be
compacted to a dry density of 18.2 KN/m3 at a moisture content
of 16%.
1. Compute the weight of dry soil required.
2. Compute the volume of borrow required.
3. Compute the total quantity of water in liters that must be
added to the fill during compaction to bring about a desired
final moisture content of 16%.
PROBLEM 2
A balloon type apparatus is used to determine an in-place
unit weight for as soil. The volume of the test hole
determined by reading the water level graduations on the
apparatus cylinder before and after digging the test hole is
0.000708 cum. The wet weight of a soil is obtained from
the test hole is 1410 g. the soil sample was dried on a field
stone and weighs 1237 g.
1. Compute the water content of the tested soil.
2. Compute the in-place dry unit weight of the tested soil.
3. Determine the percentage of compaction for the test
result if the soil is a part of a compacted earth fill whose
maximum unit weight (from laboratory compaction
tests) is 18.57 KN/m3.
PROBLEM 3
An earth dam requires 1 million cum of soil compacted to a void ratio
of 0.80. in the vicinity of the proposed dam, three borrow pits were
identified as having suitable materials. The cost of purchasing the soil
and cost of excavation are the same for each borrow pit. The only
cost difference is transportation cost. The table below provides the
void ratio and the transportation cost for each borrow pit. Which
borrow pit be the most economical?
BORROW TRANSPORTATION COST
VOID RATIO
PIT PER CUM
A 1.8 P 0.60
B 0.9 P 1.00
C 1.5 P 0.75
