IMPROVING EMBANKMENT DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE: AN EXAMINATION OF THE VARIABILITY RESULTING FROM SOIL COMPACTION

A glacial silty clay was studied to determine what variables control laboratory impact-compacted density and strength and their variabilities. Additionally, the laboratory data were examined statistically as possible predictors of field results. Density and strength are controlled by moisture content and density, respectively, as well as by interactions between variables (i.e., one-on-one relations between variables are not adequate to define the dependences). The variabilities are controlled by the magnitudes of density or strength as well as by interactions between variables. Results of limited field sheepsfoot compaction of the same soil show relationships very similar to those from the laboratory; the field variabilities are, however larger. Enough field data were not available to develop reliable field compaction relationships. However a prediction technique was developed, using laboratory data that should ultimately be applicable for field data. The designer selects the strength he wishes for the compacted soil, and the variability he will accept; the technique tells him what density, moisture content, and energy to specify for compaction of that soil using a specific type of compaction. Appropriate field data are now being collected to demonstrate this technique for field compaction predictions.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared in cooperation with Indiana State Highway Commission, Indianapolis. See also report dated Dec 75, PB-257 159.
• Corporate Authors:

  Purdue University/Indiana Department of Transportation JHRP

  Purdue University, School of Civil Engineering
  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907-1284

  Indiana State Highway Commission

  Indianapolis, IN  United States  46204

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Essigman, MFJ
• Publication Date: 1976-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 114 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis of variance; Clay; Density; Embankments; Field studies; Field tests; Moisture content; Properties of materials; Silts; Soil compaction; Soil stabilization; Soil tests; Soils; Statistics; Strength of materials
• Uncontrolled Terms: Soil properties
• Geographic Terms: Indiana
• Old TRIS Terms: Soil compacting
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00159010
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: JHRP-76-29 Intrm Rpt.
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 15 1978 12:00AM