How to Calculate A Compaction Test Report
Here we are going to compute the bulk density of sand down to
the degree of compaction of soil.
I would really want to
pursue this article just to completely show the full process of getting the
results of test from taking the samples into calculations. So every site
engineer, project engineer, and consultant inspector, as well as engineering
students should know how it is done. This would be a guide and help them learn
the procedures.
Here are the steps of
calculations to determine the compaction test or In-situ density test report.
1. Compute the Bulk Density of sand.
The calculation of bulk
density of sand shall be made in the laboratory before moving on to the site.
Here are the values tabulated below.
Values taken from the laboratory
|
||
V
|
0.00785 m³
|
Volume of calibrating container
|
M1
|
17,050 gm
|
Mass of the sand before pouring in the container
|
M2
|
3,425 gm
|
Mean value of mass of the sand in cone
|
M3
|
2,192 gm
|
Mean value of mass of the sand retained in the pouring
cylinder
|
Then calculate the Ms, mass of
sand to fill the container. From the formula in the article linked above.
Ms = 17, 050 – 3, 420 – 2, 192
Therefore, Ms
= 11, 438 gm.
Bulk density of sand, ρs = 11, 438 gm/ 0.00785 m³
Therefore, ρs
= 1, 457. 07 Kgm/m³.
2. Calculate the
Bulk Density of Soil.
After getting all the
values from actual compaction test done on site. Let us go directly to the
calculations because, what we are really concerned here is “how to get the
degree of compaction?” and how it is computed? So if you have with you right
now the test report from the third party laboratory, you might try to use the
solutions we’ve done here in order for you to know how the test report is computed.
Below are the parameter
for the calculation of bulk density of soil which was obtained from the actual
compaction test on site. From Item 5 on
the excavated soil from the hole shall place into a clean container or plastic
container. It will be weighted as mass of the soil excavated (Me).
Values taken on site
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||
Me
|
10, 345 gm
|
Mass of the soil excavated
|
M1
|
17, 050 gm
|
Mass of sand before pouring into the hole
|
M2
|
3, 425 gm
|
Mass of sand in cone (mean value)
|
M4
|
5, 155 gm
|
Mass of sand after pouring into the hole (mean value)
|
Mf = 17, 050 – 3, 425 – 5, 155
Therefore, Mf
= 8, 470 gm
Bulk density of
soil, ρso = (10, 345 gm /8, 470 gm) x 1. 45 mg/m³ = 1.78
Mg/m³
3. Calculation of Moisture
Content.
Below are the laboratory test of the same sample taken from the
site.
Wc = 177.5 gm. – Mass of container in gm.
W1 = 1,045.7 gm. – Mass container and moist specimen in gm.
W2 = 975.6 gm. – Mass of container and oven dried specimen
in gm.
Mass of the water
Ww = W1 – W2 = 1, 045.7 –
975.6 = 70.1 gm.
Mass of the Solid particle
Ws = W2 – Wc = 975.6 –
177.5 = 798.1 gm.
Moisture Content
MC = (Ww/Ws) x 100 =
(70.1/798.1) x 100
Therefore, MC = 8.78 %
4. Calculate the Dry Density of Soil.
After getting the result of moisture content you can now
calculate the ρd from the formula written in
ρd = (100 x 1.78)/(100 +
8.78)
Therefore, ρd = 1. 64 Mg/m³
5. Calculate the Degree of Compaction.
The degree of compaction is
the basis and or the final acceptance once it is passed. The specification
commonly says “The degree of compaction shall be not less than 95 percent of
maximum dry density (MDD).”
Please note that you have to take first a sample soil where you
are going to do compaction test and test it for “Proctor
test” where you will get the maximum dry density or MDD that
will use in the calculation of Degree of Compaction.
The MDD for instance to be
used in this calculation is 1.7 Mg/m³, but MDD may vary depending on the type
of your soil. Below is the calculation of the degree of compaction.
DOC = (1.64/ 1.7) x 100
Therefore,
Degree of compaction, DOC = 96.5 %
The compaction test is
passed and satisfactory because 96.5 percent is higher than the limit of 95
percent. The succeeding activity can now proceed.
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