Knowing the ground beneath your building is essential when starting any construction project. The soil compaction coefficient is an important component in this process. This straightforward but crucial metric assesses the soil’s ability to sustain infrastructure or buildings. However, what is it precisely and why is it relevant?
The density or compactness of soil under pressure is measured by the soil compaction coefficient. In essence, it provides us with an estimate of how much the soil will settle or compress when a structure is placed on it. In order to guarantee that roads and buildings are built on stable and trustworthy ground, this information is essential.
Inadequate soil compaction can cause settling problems for a building over time, which can result in uneven surfaces, cracks, and even safety risks. Consequently, these issues can be avoided and a strong foundation for any building project can be ensured by comprehending and appropriately utilizing the soil compaction coefficient.
One important metric used in construction to assess how well soil can support structures is the soil compaction coefficient. The strength and longevity of foundations are directly impacted by the density and stability of the soil, which is reflected in it. Comprehending and precisely quantifying this coefficient guarantees a stable foundation for constructions and other undertakings, averting potential issues such as shifting or settling. To put it simply, it all comes down to ensuring that the earth beneath our feet is sturdy and stable enough to support whatever we decide to build on it.
- General information
- The need to know the shrinkage coefficient of non-metallic material
- Shrinkage coefficient when filling the pit
- Compaction factor during transport
- Compaction coefficient at a construction site
- Determination of compaction factor
- Relative shrinkage coefficient
- Video description
- Video description
- Video on the topic
- Standard soil compaction
- How to use a dynamic soil density meter when pouring a foundation?
- Determination of the sand compaction coefficient under USHP. #Technical supervision in Sochi
- Dynamic soil density meter DPG-1.2
- Determination of optimal humidity and maximum soil density using the static compaction method
- Determination of compaction coefficient of crushed stone base
- Checking soil compaction
- Determination of the compaction coefficient of sandy soil, density meter D-51
General information
Compaction of non-metallic materials occurs during their storage, transportation, and unloading in addition to during construction. Crushed stone, soil, clay, screenings, and their mixtures all change in density both spontaneously and with the assistance of physical impact, or ramming. You must be aware of the shrinkage coefficient of sand or another non-metallic material in order to calculate the amount by which the embankment’s volume decreases. This indicator is computed using the ratio of total to highest density.
There are always empty spaces between the individual grains that make up crushed stone, soil, sand, and other embankments. Are they pores or voids? Their size determines the volume that the material will occupy. Stated differently, the compaction coefficient of a mixture of crushed stone (20–40), clay, sand, and gravel, for instance, represents the variation between the embankment’s initial state and its final state following compaction.
The Coupl value is used to express this physical quantity. This is a standard number indicator. GOST and SNiP are used to find it. The simplest method for determining the desired value is this one. This figure indicates the number of times the volume of a particular non-metallic natural mineral has shrunk due to transportation or ramming.
The strength of the base, such as a foundation, can be increased by physically compacting the material. Tamping can be carried out manually or with specialized tools. It might be a road roller or a vibrating plate. A specialized instrument is employed to ascertain the level of compaction.
Vibrating tamper is a widely used technique. Natural non-metallic mineral grains are compacted to the greatest extent possible by the impact (impacts) of the eccentric load. This technique permits compaction in the embankment’s thickness in the event of severe impacts.
Static compaction is done if a mechanical roller is utilized. Both the machine’s weight and the material’s own weight are used in its execution. For example, the top layer in static compaction prevents the bottom layer of sand from being compacted. Construction processes may not always benefit from this tamping option.
The need to know the shrinkage coefficient of non-metallic material
An inert material’s ability to withstand water and support weight is contingent upon the degree of compaction. If the impact intensity on the embankment increases by just 1%, the strength of the soil and so forth increases from 10% to 20%. Poor compaction techniques can lead to soil subsidence. As a result, you will need to spend more money on building maintenance and make costly repairs to the structure.
- purchase the required amount of material that is needed, for example, for installing sand and crushed stone cushions, backfilling a pit, trenches;
- accurately calculate the volume of concrete required to build a foundation or pour floors;
- check the volume of natural non-metallic minerals brought to the site;
- calculate soil shrinkage during foundation construction or installation of tiles on paths.
Speaking of which, High-quality soil compaction is essential when building a house; the compaction coefficient of the soil should be at least 0.98 when the foundation is being built.
Shrinkage coefficient when filling the pit
One of the many building ideas is saving. Compaction of inert materials occurs when they are subjected to pressure from building structures or from their own weight. We refer to this process as shrinkage. The addition of the pit’s foundation and other earthly indentations does not lessen its value. A failure occurs after a certain amount of time if factors like the coefficient of sealing river sand are ignored.
The volume of the pit must be pre-calculated in order to order the necessary quantity of non-infuriated natural fossil. You must measure its width, length, and depth in order to accomplish this. Then, every value is altered. The number that emerges will match the pit’s volume. The computed value is then multiplied by the inert material’s bulk density to fill the space.
Speaking of which, The pit must be filled in such a way that a mound forms on the top. It will eventually calm down. Tamping is done if it is necessary to speed up shrinkage.
Compaction factor during transport
Vibrating on a potholed road, a truck carrying, say, 6 m³ of crushed stone will cause the material inside the body to gradually compact. Put another way, the car trembles when it is moving. It will therefore result in a decrease in crushed stone volume, to about 5.45 m³.
You need to know the volume of the material after shrinkage in the truck body and the compaction coefficient to ensure that the truck delivered the required amount of material. After that, you must multiply these numbers. You will consequently be able to determine the cargo’s initial volume. If the computed value matches the amount listed in the documents, you can perform a quick calculation to confirm the integrity of the inert material seller.
Compaction coefficient at a construction site
In a newly constructed building, cracks frequently occur. Paving slabs that have fallen into walkways have also happened to some homeowners. When soil shrinkage is computed incorrectly, problems like these arise.
Calculating the soil’s degree of shrinkage under particular conditions is possible with a preliminary determination of the compaction coefficient. One possible reason would be pressure from within. On the other hand, severe shrinkage is a feature of some soil types. Usually, inert materials are used to replace such soils.
Determination of compaction factor
It is already evident that GOST and SNiP provide the easiest methods for determining the shrinkage coefficients of particular non-metallic materials. Experts have been calculating them for a long time. You can therefore determine the compaction coefficient of sand and ASG during compaction using the table below.
Name of natural non-metallic mineral | Shrinkage coefficient (compaction) |
Crushed stone | 1.1 |
Mixture of gravel and sand (PGS) | 1.2 |
Pure river sand | 1.15 |
Soil mixture of many components | 1.5 |
Expanded clay | 1.15 |
Screenings | 1.1 during transportation |
- Finally, the desired value is calculated by the ratio of two values.
Professionals compute the soil compaction coefficient quickly using this straightforward formula:
Where Ku = pd/pdmax
- Ku is the desired compaction coefficient;
- pd is the ratio of the weight of the soil together with the mass of water in the voids to its volume;
- pdmax is the ratio of the weight of the soil without the water mass and ice particles in the voids to the initial volume of the soil.
It should be noted that a coefficient that allows you to calculate the amount of sand or other non-metallic natural material shrinkage that occurs during compaction must be included in construction documentation.
Relative shrinkage coefficient
A little change in the bulk or total density of inert material occurs during extraction, transportation, and storage. The process is brought on by grain enlargement, water absorption, shrinkage during transportation, and extended storage in a warehouse. Using the coefficient of relative soil compaction in calculations is simpler in this sense. The parameter is the ratio between the characteristics of the same material after it is delivered to the customer and the density of the so-called skeleton that is mined in a quarry or kept in a warehouse.
Video description
This video demonstrates how to calculate sand’s bulk density in a lab setting:
When performing computations, remember to account for:
- the highest density of a sample in the laboratory after adding a certain amount of water;
- characteristics of the material, including strength parameters, size and caking properties of individual particles;
- bulk density, which is the density in natural conditions;
- weather during transportation, that is, negative temperature and humidity level;
- delivery method and conditions (trucks, river or sea vessels, rail transport).
In cases where the delivery of natural non-metallic minerals is consistently handled by a single supplier, they employ mechanical or manual tampers to determine the relative coefficient of sand compaction. In this instance, the vendor is required to deliver consistently. Furthermore, he must mine in a quarry where quality indicators remain constant. Each batch of material must still be kept in the warehouse by the supplier for the same period of time.
Video description
Watch this video to learn how to use a D-51 density meter to calculate the sand compaction coefficient:
Concept | The soil compaction coefficient measures how much a soil can be compressed under a load. It helps understand how stable and solid the ground will be once compacted. |
Necessity | Compacting soil is crucial for construction because it prevents future settlement and ensures the stability of structures. Without proper compaction, the ground can shift and cause damage to buildings. |
Definition | The soil compaction coefficient is a numerical value that indicates the degree to which soil is compacted. It reflects how much the soil density increases after compaction compared to its original state. |
Anyone working in construction or landscaping needs to be aware of the soil compaction coefficient. The degree of soil compaction, which impacts the soil’s stability and ability to support loads, is indicated by this coefficient. Building on solid ground is ensured by a well-compacted soil base, which reduces the possibility of settlement or shifting over time.
An important factor in a project’s overall success is soil compaction. Appropriate compaction increases the resilience and strength of the soil, lowering the possibility of problems like erosion or subsidence in the future. Understanding the proper levels of compaction aids engineers and builders in decision-making and improves outcomes.
In conclusion, the soil compaction coefficient is more than just a theoretical value; it plays a critical role in guaranteeing the longevity and safety of building projects. You can enhance the quality and stability of your construction projects, which will result in better outcomes and fewer issues down the road, by comprehending and successfully implementing this concept.