Density Tests

From the preceding discussion, you know that compaction testing is performed to determine the OMC and the maximum density that can be obtained for a given soil at a given compactive effort. You also know that, using the maximum density, you can determine a range of densities and moisture contents that will satisfy the compaction requirements for a project. During the construction of that project, a control must be in place to measure whether or not the compaction requirements have been met. That control is density testing. If the results of the density test determine that the compaction process has produced a density within the range specified, then the compaction is complete. If the test results reflect densities that are not within the specified range, additional rolling may be necessary or the moisture content may have to be adjusted.

Several different methods are used to determine the in-place density of a soil; however, the methods that EAs are most apt to use are the sand-displacement method and the nuclear moisture-density meter method.