ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 16 July 2010
Page Count: 15

Compaction Characteristics of Non-Gravel and Gravelly Soils Using a Small Compaction Apparatus

Chinkulkijniwat, Avirut
Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Suranaree Univ. of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Muang District

Man-Koksung, Ekachai
School of Civil Engineering, Suranaree Univ. of Technology,

Uchaipichat, Anuchit
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Vongchavalitkul Univ., Nakhon Ratchasima, Muang District

Horpibulsuk, Suksun
Associate Professor and Chair of School of Civil Engineering, and Head of Construction Research Unit, Suranaree Univ. of Technology,

(Received 5 January 2010; accepted 16 June 2010)

Abstract

The standard Proctor test has been widely used and accepted for characterizing soil compatibility for field compaction control. This paper presents a time- and cost-effective method to predict standard Proctor compaction characteristics of non-gravel and gravelly soils using a proposed small apparatus. This small apparatus is similar to the standard Proctor apparatus and easily introduced into soil mechanics laboratory. A comparison of the compaction characteristics of non-gravel soils measured from the proposed small apparatus and from the standard Proctor apparatus shows that this small apparatus can be used as an alternative to the standard Proctor apparatus and regarded as a practical tool for non-gravel soils. For gravelly soils, gravel content mainly controls compaction energy transmitted to the fine fraction and hence its compaction characteristics. A relationship between the generalized optimum water content of the fine fraction in the gravelly soil and the gravel content is established. This relationship leads to an effective method of predicting standard Proctor compaction characteristics of gravelly soils compacted in standard molds using compaction results from the proposed small apparatus. Comparisons between the predicted and the measured compaction characteristics are in very good agreement.

Keywords:
standard Proctor, compaction characteristics, small compaction apparatus, transmitted compaction energy

Paper ID: JAI102945
DOI: 10.1520/JAI102945
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