Soils - Determination of the Water Content-Dry Density Relation - Standard Compaction Effort Test (600 kN.m/m³)

This standard specifies the test method to determine the relation between the water content and the dry density of soil and soil aggregates mixes when they are compacted in a standard mould by a 2,495 kg rammer dropped from a height of 305 mm. Three methods are used to determine this relation (see Chapter 5).

NOTE — The laboratory compaction test methods described in this standard generally provide good measurements of optimum water content and maximum dry density, except for soil and soil aggregates mixes of high hydraulic conductivity. In many cases with such materials, the test methods in this standard do not provide accurate water content-dry density relations, and maximum masses thus derived are generally lower than those obtained using vibration methods.

These test methods apply to natural soils such as till, clay or any other soils not having been subjected to, inter alia, dynamiting or crushing.