Compaction monitoring devices for earthworks

A number of methods and devices has been investigated to establish their possible suitability and application for monitoring the state of compaction of earthworks, within the requirements of the DTp Specification for Highway Works (1 986), Series 600 Earthworks, and for the reinstatement of trench backfills. This report summarises research carried out in the compaction bays at TRL using the nuclear moisture/density gauge, Clegg impact soil tester, TRL dynamic cone penetrometer, Bomag Terrameter and Dynapac compaction meters mounted on vibratory rollers. Comparisons were made between the outputs from the monitoring devices and the dry density and air voids of compacted layers of cohesive and granular fill materials. The general conclusion was that density measurement was the only acceptable method and that none of the strength measuring devices were acceptable at the present time, except for the Bomag Terrameter attached to a vibratory roller when used on granular fills. However, compaction meters and tachographs might be worth consideration, if hard outputs were required for compliance records or Quality Assurance purposes.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)

  Crowthorne,    
• Authors:
  • Snowdon, R A
• Publication Date: 1992

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 17p
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 361

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compaction; Cone penetrometers; Earthwork; Measuring instruments; Monitoring; Nuclear density gages; Quality assurance; Strength of materials
• ATRI Terms: Compaction; Cone penetrometer; Density; Earthworks; Measuring equipment; Monitoring; Nuclear gauge; Quality assurance; Strength
• Subject Areas: Construction;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01404965
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 10:36PM