Jordan University of Science and Technology

Civil Engineering Department

CE463-GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LAB

Student Name: Abdulaziz Essa

ID : 159145

Exp Name : Liquid and plastic limit test

Exp No. 4

Instructor: Eng. Maysa Khasawneh

Submission Date: April 10 ,2023

Sec : 1 group :1

Evaluation Elements Max Grade

Grade
1 Title Page (evaluation form) and Overall Appearance -

2 Abstract 15

3 Introduction 5

4 Objective 5

7 Results and Data Analysis 25

8 Discussion 30

9 Conclusion 20

10 Total 100
Nomenclature:
SG: specific gravity

wc: water content

%: percentage

γdry: dry unit weight

γw: water unit weight

gm: grams

cm3:cubic centimetre

Avg.: average

Wt.: weight

Ws: weight of solids

Ww: weight of water

Wd: weight of dry soil

e: void ratio

Abstract:
As a soil is stressed, the spaces are filled with solids, which results in densification. This process is
known as soil compaction. This is important since soils are mostly employed in building as
supports for various constructions. Compaction is often tested using ASTM D698 and is highly
influenced by soil type, moisture content, and compaction effort. According to the findings of this
study, the soil sample reaches its most compact form when its maximum dry unit weight of 1.40
and moisture content of 26.57are reached.

Introduction:
This test will determine the relationship between the moisture content and the dry
density of a soil. we will use the compaction to remove the air and bringing soil
particles closer This process causes increasing the unit weight of soil, increasing
shear strength, decreasing settlement, increasing bearing capacity and increasing
stability of slopes.

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Types of compaction tests:

The Standard Proctor Test

The Modified Proctor Test

Objective:
Determine the maximum dry unit weight.

Determine the optimum moisture content.

Experimental details:

Apparatus:
1.mould
2. base plate
3.straight tool
4.compaction hammer
5. balance
6. distilled water
7. can and jack

Procedure: Figure (1): Typical equipment Required to conduct both standard and Modified Proctor Test.

1.Add enough water to 2000g of soil and mix it to bring the moisture content up to about 5%.
2.Determine the weight of the Proctor mold + base plate, Wt1.
3.Now attach the extension to the top of the mold.
4.Pour the moist soil into the mold in three equal layers.
5.Remove the top attachment from the mold.
6.Using a straight edge, trim the excess soil above the mold.
7.Determine the weight of the mold + base plate +- compacted moist soil in the mold, Wt2
8.Remove the base plate from the mold.
9.Take a moisture can and determine its mass, W3 (g).
10.From the moist soil extruded in Step 10, collect a moisture sample in the moisture can (Step II)
and determine the mass of the can + moist soil, W4 (g).
11.Place the moisture can with the moist soil in the oven to dry to a constant weight.
12.Break the rest of the compacted soil (to No.4 size) by hand and mix it with the leftover moist
soil in the pan. Add more water and mix it to raise the moisture content by about 2%
13.Repeat Steps 6 through 12
14.Continue the test until at least two successive down readings are obtained.
15.The next day, determine the mass of the moisture cans + soil samples, W5 (g) (from Step 13).

Results and Calculations:

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 No. Weight of mold Weight of (mold Weight Moist unit weight Moisture content Dry unit weight
(W1) + moist soil) of moist (Ywet ) (w%) (Yd )
(W2) soil
(W2 -W1)

1 3098 4548 1450 1.53601695 16.7436209 1.3157181

2 3158 4772 1614 1.70974576 22.9878512 1.39017451
3 3166 4843 1677 1.77648305 26.5729673 1.40352485
4 3166 4877 1711 1.8125 31.8162115 1.37502055
Moisture content determination

Test No. 1 2 3 4
Weight of can (w1) 21.42 21.04 21.71 22.19
Weight of (can + moist soil) (w2) 69.46 85.83 118.07 83.01
Weight of (can + dry soil) (w3) 62.57 73.72 97.84 68.33
Moisture content (w%) 16.7436209 22.9878512 26.5729673 31.8162115

Sample calculations:

weight of moist of soil = (W2-W1) = 4548 – 3098 = 1450

(W2 −W1)
Moist unit weight (Ywet ) = = 1.53601695
944

(W2 −W3) 69.46 − 62.57

Moisture content (w%) = = =16.7436209
(W3 −W1) 62.57− 21.42

𝑌𝑤𝑒𝑡 1.53601695
Dry unit weight (Yd ) = 𝑤% = 16.7436209 = 1.3157181
1+(100) 1+ 100

Dry unit weight vs Moisture content

1.41
1.4
1.39
Dry unit weight (Yd )

1.38
1.37
1.36
1.35
1.34
1.33
1.32
1.31
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Moisture content (w%)

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Discussions:

Compaction of soils is primarily done to lessen eventual settling under operating loads. Compaction
also reduces the soil's void ratio, which makes it harder for water to pass through the soil and raises
the soil's shear strength. In order to optimize the aforementioned uses, it is crucial to determine the
maximum unit weight of the soil by measuring the amounts or characteristics of the variables that
impact compaction, such as water content, the kind of soil being compacted, and the quantity of
comp active energy that was employed.
Theoretical maximum dry unit weight is attained when there is no air in the void spaces (S=100%),
hence it is only a theoretical number because we never reach the zero air voids situation.
The maximal dry unit weight of compaction increases along with the compaction intensity. The
ideal moisture level decreases to some amount as the compaction effort increases.
Compaction effort's results:
The maximal dry unit weight of compaction increases along with the compaction intensity.
The ideal moisture level decreases to some amount as the compaction effort increases.
In this experiment, mistakes are made while reading, weighing, combining, and compacting.
The ideal moisture level decreases to some amount as the compaction effort increases.
In this experiment, mistakes are made while reading, weighing, combining, and compacting.

Conclusion:
After conducting the experiment, it was found that a standard effort of 600 KN-m/m3
and a maximum dry unit weight of 1.40 KN/m3 could be attained. When building
with the test sample, the values obtained might be very helpful if maximal
compaction is desired to accommodate the highest load feasible. With an increase in
compaction effort, the maximum dry unit weight of compaction rises. When
compaction effort increased, the ideal moisture content decreased.

References:
Bowles, Joseph E. Engineering Properties of Soils. 4th. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill, 1992

ASTM Standard D 854, 2000-2002, “Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
Water Pycnometer,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org