Prediction of Compaction Characteristics from Atterberg Limits and Specific Gravity for Kuttanad Soil

Twinkle Toms, Joe G Philip

Abstract: Compaction of soil is used in majority of Civil Engineering Projects. It is a soil improving method which helps to increase density of the soil by mechanical means. The knowledge of compaction characteristics i. e. , maximum dry density, optimum moisture content is very important for soil modification. Regression models were developed to find the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of fine grained soils using physical and index properties from 30 soil samples collected in Kuttanad region. The liquid limit of the soils analyzed ranged between 70 and 190 %, the plasticity index between 26 and 127 %, and specific gravity between 2.3 and 2.5. The most significant regression variables used were the specific gravity and the index properties. The developed models are accurate and can be used as a simple convenient tool to approximate the maximum dry density and optimum water content of fine-grained soils.

Keywords: Compaction, Soil modification Regression model, Index properties, Specific gravity