Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics

Diploma
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(GET260S)
MODDS Test Report
A2 DCIV 2024
GROUP 8

Aqeelah Baderoen – 220106924

Haneem Salie – 222669985
Jehaan Dalvie – 230373089
Imaad Levy – 222033193
Hlabelela Ntshakaza – 230907555
Mbali Viwe Mbekile – 222181303

Mr O. Abegunde
Mr L. Maduna
3 May 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FLOW CHART:....................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION:................................................................................................................................3
EQUIPMENT:.......................................................................................................................................3
METHOD:.............................................................................................................................................4
RESULTS:.............................................................................................................................................5
ANALYSIS:..........................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................................................8
RECCOMENDATIONS/COMMENTS:...............................................................................................9
REFERENCES:...................................................................................................................................10

1
FLOW CHART:

2
INTRODUCTION:
One way to gauge the compaction level of soils is to calculate the maximum dry density and
optimal moisture content. This test includes compacting a soil sample at various moisture
levels and plotting the results to form a compaction curve.
The compaction curve is then used to calculate the soil's maximum dry density and optimal
moisture content (Mahajan, B. n.d.).
There are two basic ways to measure this: the Modified Proctor Compaction Test and the
Standard Proctor Compaction Test. For soil to achieve maximum compaction, or maximum
dry density, for the purposes of executing construction, both tests aid in determining the ideal
moisture content (K, 2020). The qualities of the soil must be considered for building
foundations, roadways, embarkments, and other buildings that depend on its stability
(BigRentz, 2021).

AIM:
To determine the maximum dry weight of compaction of soils which can be used for
specification of field compaction.

APPARATUS:
The equipment used for this experiment includes:

 Compaction mould, collar & base plate

 Standard Proctor hammer(4.536kg)
 Sieves,19mm and 4.75mm
 A large pan
 A Steel straight edge
 A Steel tamper
 Mixing Basins, 350mm & 500mm in diameter
 Moisture cans
 Measuring cylinders (1000ml)

3
  Oven
 Garden trowel.
 Plastic squeeze bottle
 Spatula
 Filter paper
 Balance
 Ruler
 Water

METHOD:
 Firstly, a 20mm sieve was used to filter a 7 kg (7000 g) soil sample that was taken
from the soil bank.
 To make the soil damp, 1000 millilitres of water were put into a cylinder and part of
the liquid was gradually sprinkled into the 7 kg of sieved soil until the sample has
become moist, and not soaked.
 A percentage of the moisture content was calculated by recording how much water
was utilised out of the 1000 millilitres.
 The weight of an empty compaction mould was recorded, then mould was assembled
with the collar and base plate in place, and filter paper was added to the base plate.
 Filled the mould with about 1kg of material, levelled it, then used the tamper to apply
55 blows (5 cycles of 11 blows each layer).
 Measured the material's depth to the mould collar (96-99 mm). If the number was less
than 96, then moved fewer samples to the next level; if the number was more than 99,
then move more samples to the next level. Repeated this for each level, depending on
whether it was less or more than the desired depth.
 Applied 55 strikes to each succeeding layer of 25-30mm thickness.
 After applying the second layer, weighed about 1000g of the mixed soil sample to a
moisture can and put it into the oven at 105-110ºC overnight.
 After compacting the last layer, removed the collar and used a ruler to measure.
 After removing any extra soil that was sticking out of the mould and removing the
collar, the weight of the compacted soil and the mould was measured.
 Recorded the oven dried weights the next day

4
  Repeated 4 times using the calculated water content for the next 4 tests and the
compacted soil's bulk density was calculated.

RESULTS:

APPROXIMATE VALUES
Table 1: Water added of approximate values

Millilitre 222 292 362 432 502

(ml)
Percentage 22.2 29.2 36.2 43.2 50.2
(%)
Assumed mc 3.17 4.17 5.17 6.17 7.17
(%)

Table 2: Dry density of approximate values

Mould no. 1 2 3 4 5

Mould factor 42.974 42.974 42.974 42.974 42.974

Mass of 9883 9924 9986 9805 9761

mould + wet
soil (g)
Mass of 5161 5161 5097 5097 5097
mould (g)
Mass of wet 4722 4763 4889 4708 4664
soil (g)
Approximate 2028.59 2046.00 2099.91 2012.97 2002.87
dry density
(Kg/m^3)

ACTUAL VALUES
Table 3: Moisture of actual values

Container no 1 2 3 4 5

Mass of 1253 1205 1254 1248 1222

container +
wet soil (g)
Mass of 1222 1168 1207 1186 1158
container +
dry soil (g)
Mass of 253 205 254 248 222
container (g)

5
 Mass of 31 37 47 62 64
water (g)
Mass of dry 969 963 953 938 936
soil (g)
Moisture 3.20 3.84 4.93 6.61 6.84
content%

Table 4: Dry density of actual values

[ (M2 – M1) / 2028.58 2046.07 2099.96 2021.88 2002.93

(MC+100) ] x
100/V x
1000(Kg/m^3)

Graph 1: Approximate values

2120.00

2100.00

2080.00

2060.00
Dry density (Kg/m^3)

2040.00

2020.00

2000.00

1980.00

1960.00

1940.00
2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5

Moisture content (%)

M.D.D = 2099.91 kg/m^3

O.M.C = 5.17%

6
Graph 2: Actual values

Chart Title
2120

2100

2080
Dry density (Kg/m^3)

2060

2040

2020

2000

1980

1960

1940
3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5

Moisture content (%)

M.D.D = 2099.96 kg/m^3

O.M.C = 4.93%

ANALYSIS:

When comparing the two graphs, I believe the explanation for the difference is that the moist
soil samples did not entirely dry in the oven when the reading was taken. However, the
maximum dry density for both graphs is very close to same as the difference is 0.05%, as
well as the O.M.C as the difference is 0.24%.

Depending on the type of the asphalt mixture, the 96 or 98% compaction degree is required.
The asphalt mixtures must reach 98% of the compaction degree on the average and its
compaction degree cannot decrease below 96% (Cihlarova., Mondschein & Capayova, 2018).
Therefore, for an average compaction degree we will use 98%:

98
Troxler=M . D . D x
100

98 3
Troxler=2099.96 x =20 57.96 kg /m
100

7
CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, the Maximum Dry Density and Optimum Moisture Content test provides
insights into the compaction characteristics of soil samples. Compaction removes air and
water from the soil, resulting in a denser matrix. Based on the results when soil particles are
moistened with more water, they stick together more closely, making the soil denser.
However, at the OMC, adding more water doesn't make the soil any denser.

In summary, understanding these parameters helps ensure the stability of structures such as
roads, and foundations. The determination of MDD and OMC is important as it demonstrates
compaction effort.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 Ensure that the soil samples are always covered to ensure that the moisture content
doesn’t escape.
 Use a rubber pistol to lay the soil in the mould (after compacting) evenly.
 Consider the soil that may spill in the process of transferring the soil from the large
pans to the mould.

8
REFERENCES:

BigRentz, 2021. www.bigrentz.com. [Online]

Available at: Proctor Compaction Test: Procedure and Tools | BigRentz[Accessed 27 april
2024].
Cihlarova, D., Mondschein, P., Capayova, S.,2018. Communications – Scientific Letters of
the University of Zilina, 20(3): 61-66. Compaction Density Determination of the Road
Asphalt Layers https://komunikacie.uniza.sk/artkey/csl-201803-0011_compaction-density-
determination-of-the-road-asphalt-layers.php [Accessed 25 April].

K, N. S., 2020. theconstructor.org. [Online]

Available at: https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/soil-maximum-dry-density-optimum-
moisture-content/18426/?amp=1#origin=https%3A%2F%2F2.gy-118.workers.dev/%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.google.com
%2F&cap=swipe,education&webview=1&dialog=1&viewport=natural&visibilityState=prere
nder&prerenderSize=1&viewerUrl=https [Accessed 27 April 2024].

Mahajan, B. Civiconcepts. Modified Proctor Test for Soil: A Comprehensive Guide. [Online]
Available at: https://civiconcepts.com/blog/modified-proctor-test [Accessed 24 April].