compacted fill water and dry density

[ketanco]

In the questions that asks the weight or volume relationships between borrow soil and compacted fill...

First of all, even if we calculate a dry density to the compacted fill, this doesnt mean compacted fill is constructed dry, and we still add water when building it correct? and that water content must be the optimum water content for us to achieve that dry density?

and, the results from a proctor test , although it is given with a water content, still refer to a dry density, because after achieving that compaction with that water content, we dry it and measure the density correct?

 

[MikeMcC215]

Correct. The wet and dry densities are easily related and you obtain the moist denisty from the proctor test and then calculate the corresponding dry density, which is obtained at a certain moisture content.

In the field water may be added to a material to increase mositure if it is too dry, or on the oppisite specturm if the material is too wet it can be scarified (surface scratched) and let to dry out a few days before continuing compaction efforts.

Also remember that the more fines (particles passing No. 200) the material has the more sensitive/difficult the comapction effort will be.