Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering

4

Compaction of Soils

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

Principles of compaction – Compactive effort – Laboratory compaction: Standard Proctor test, Modified Proctor test, IS Light Compaction Test, IS Heavy Compaction Test – Field compaction and equipment – Compaction specification and control – Factors affecting compaction – Compaction of sand

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Compaction may be defined as the process of increasing the density of a soil using force to pack the particles closer together, with a reduction in air voids without any significant change in the volume of water in the soil.

The reduction in air voids is deliberately brought about by some mechanical means during a construction process in the field or in the preparation of a sample in the laboratory. ...