ODOT Compaction Testing
Peter Narsavage, P.E.
2
Compaction Testing
Supplement 1015
Compaction Testing of Unbound Materials
ODOT Compaction Testing
3
Compaction Testing
Nuclear gage used to determine
in-place dry density.
Maximum dry density determined from:
One-point Proctor test
or
Test section
ODOT Compaction Testing
Percent Compaction =In-Place Dry Density
Maximum Dry Density
4
Nuclear Gage Testing
Always used to
determine in-
place dry density
and in-place
moisture content.
Standard count
once per week
5
Choose test location
Choose a representative location.
Have contractor provide a smooth surface
ODOT Compaction Testing
6
Make sure it is level and smooth
This looks good.
ODOT Compaction Testing
7
Smooth with scraper plate
Use sand to fill surface voids
ODOT Compaction Testing
Take the measurement
In-place dry density and in-place moisture content
9
Probe depth
Embankment
probe depth = 8"
Subgrade
probe depth = 12"
Bases, granular material,
test section
use backscatter mode
ODOT Compaction Testing
10
Maximum Dry Density
One-point Proctor test used for soil with
more than 35% passing No. 200 sieve and
25% or less retained on the ¾ inch sieve.
Test section used for other material.
granular material, bases,
select granular backfill
ODOT Compaction Testing
11
One-point Proctor TestAASHTO T-272
Family of Curves – One Point Method
Method C – ¾ inch sieve and 4-inch
diameter mold
Refers to AASHTO T-99, “Standard
Proctor”
One-point Proctor sample prepared for
every test.
ODOT Compaction Testing
EVERY TEST
Sieve material through ¾ inch sieve.
Save retained stone.
ODOT Typical Moisture-
Density Curves
Moist density from
Proctor test
Moisture content
from nuclear gage
reading
15
Aggregate Correction
Aggregate
correction
required if percent
of stone retained
on ¾ inch sieve is
10 to 25% of
sample by weight.
ODOT Compaction Testing
Aggregate Correction
Corrected optimum
moisture content is
determined from table
and corrected
maximum dry density.
116.5
Check moisture content from zero
air-voids curve
This moisture content
must be greater than
the moisture content
from the nuclear
gage.
19
Compaction Requirements
For one-point Proctor test, the percent
compaction must be at least …
ODOT Compaction Testing
Maximum Dry
Density
Compaction
Requirement
90 to 104.9 lb/ft³ 102%
105 to 119.9 lb/ft³ 100%
120 lb/ft³ or more 98%
20
Test Section
Used for granular material
Less than 35% passing the 200 sieve, or
More than 25% retained on ¾ inch sieve.
Method A Method B Method C
ODOT Compaction Testing
21
Test Section Method A
Method A used for materials that have a definite
moisture-density relationship (you can determine
an optimum moisture content)
Place material at optimum moisture (±2%)
ODOT Compaction Testing
Test Section Method A
Make two passes
Take a compaction test
(mark location with paint)
Make another pass
Take another compaction test
Repeat until no further increase or density drops
Verify by making two more passes
and one more compaction test.
23
Test Section - Examples
ODOT Compaction Testing
Maximum dry density is indicated in
Examples 1 and 2
Something didn’t work in Example 3, try
another test section
Passes 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Density, lb
/ft³
Example 1 134.0 137.2 139.5 140.9 142.3 142.5 142.5 142.4
Example 2 133.8 134.8 133.5 142.1 146.8 147.2 147.9 148.2 148.3 147.2
Example 3 120.1 128.7 129.3 130.0 132.6 130.1 145.2
24
Test Section Method BUsed when material does not have a
definitive moisture-density relationship,
typically fine sands, foundry sands, bottom
ash, fly ash, etc.
Place dry (0 to 3%)
Run test section
Repeat and increase
water content by 2%
ODOT Compaction Testing
25
Test Section Method C
Rarely used.
Used for open graded or highly variable
material.
Similar to Method A, but use the average
of three in-place density measurements
for each compaction test.
ODOT Compaction Testing
26
Size of Test Section
400 SY for embankment or aggregate bases
40 SY for SGB in MSE walls
10 SY for pipe backfill
ODOT Compaction Testing
27
Compaction Requirements
For test section, the percent
compaction must be at least 98%
ODOT Compaction Testing
28
Forms
CA-EW-5 – Nuclear Gage Compaction Form
Used for one-point Proctor and test sections
CA-EW-6 – Nuclear Gage Compaction with
Aggregate Correction
ODOT Compaction Testing
31
Compaction of Rock
Rock is material too large to be placed in an
8-inch lift.
Must be smaller than 3 feet in size
Compacted with a set number of passes
with a particular roller size.
No compaction testing
32
Shale
ODOT Compaction Testing
Compaction
testing could be
any of the
methods.
33
Bucket test for shalePlace 6-inch piece in bucket of water for 48 hours.
(C&MS 703.16.D)
ODOT Compaction Testing
Before After
34
Bucket test for shale
After 48 hours, break down with hand pressure.
Percent retained on ¾ inch sieve:
Less than 25% – use one-point Proctor method
Between 25 and 75% – use test section method
More than 75% – perform roller test(six passes with a roller that weighs 500 pounds per inch of width)
• More than 40% breaks down – use test section
• Less then 40% breaks down – treat like rock
(no compaction testing)
ODOT Compaction Testing
35
Amount of compaction testing
ODOT Compaction Testing
203, 205 one test per 2,000 CY
204, 206 one test per 3,000 SY
304, 411 three tests per 5,000 SY (one per lift)
503 one test every 5th lift
603 one test every 5th lift or one test every 50 LF
840 SGB one test per 300 LF for every lift
36
NICET CertificationRequired by SS 878 for contractor supplied
compaction testing.
NICET Level II, Construction Materials
Testing – subfield Soils
First required in the summer of 2006
Alternate qualifications acceptable until
July 1, 2007ODOT Compaction Testing
www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/ConstructionMgt