In laboratory compaction tests, the optimum moisture content of soil d...
Optimum moisture content of soil decreases:
(1) With increase in compaction energy
(2) With increase in coarse grains in the soil
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In laboratory compaction tests, the optimum moisture content of soil d...
Introduction:
In laboratory compaction tests, the optimum moisture content of soil refers to the moisture content at which the maximum dry density of the soil is achieved. The dry density is a measure of the soil's compaction, and it is desirable to achieve the maximum compaction possible for engineering purposes. The relationship between the optimum moisture content and the compaction energy and grain size distribution of the soil is important to understand for effective soil compaction.
Explanation:
The correct answer to the given question is option 'C', which states that the optimum moisture content of soil decreases with an increase in both compaction energy and coarse grains in the soil. This can be explained as follows:
1. Increase in Compaction Energy:
- Compaction energy refers to the amount of energy applied to the soil during the compaction process.
- When the compaction energy is increased, it leads to greater rearrangement and reorientation of soil particles, resulting in a higher degree of compaction.
- The increased energy helps in breaking down the soil aggregates and reducing the void spaces between particles, leading to a denser soil structure.
- As a result, the optimum moisture content decreases because the soil particles can be packed more closely together, requiring less water to fill the voids.
2. Increase in Coarse Grains:
- Coarse grains refer to larger particles in the soil, such as sand and gravel.
- When the soil contains a higher proportion of coarse grains, it has a lower specific surface area compared to fine-grained soils.
- The specific surface area is the total surface area per unit mass of soil, and it affects the amount of water required to achieve optimum compaction.
- With an increase in coarse grains, there is a decrease in the available surface area for water to interact with the soil particles.
- This results in a decrease in the water-holding capacity of the soil, causing the optimum moisture content to decrease.
Conclusion:
In laboratory compaction tests, the optimum moisture content of soil decreases with an increase in both compaction energy and coarse grains in the soil. By increasing the compaction energy, the soil particles can be packed more closely together, requiring less water to achieve maximum compaction. Additionally, an increase in coarse grains reduces the specific surface area and water-holding capacity of the soil, further decreasing the optimum moisture content. Understanding these relationships is crucial for achieving effective soil compaction in civil engineering projects.
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