A laboratory procedure determines the maximum achievable dry unit weight of a soil for a specified compactive effort. This standard laboratory test compacts soil samples at various moisture contents, allowing for the creation of a moisture-density curve. The peak point on this curve represents the maximum dry unit weight and corresponding optimum moisture content for that soil type under that compactive energy. This information is crucial for geotechnical engineering projects.
This method plays a critical role in ensuring the stability and performance of earthworks such as embankments, roadbeds, and foundations. Attaining the appropriate soil compaction, as identified through the laboratory procedure, enhances soil strength, reduces settlement, and minimizes permeability. Historically, consistent and controlled soil compaction methods were developed in response to failures in early earthwork projects, leading to the standardization of laboratory protocols for determining optimal compaction parameters.