Open AccessEstimation of Optimum Moisture Content and Maximum Dry Unit Weight of Fine-Grained Soils using Numerical Methods
Author(s) -
Armand Augustin Fondjo,
Elizabeth Theron,
Richard P. Ray
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
walailak journal of science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2228-835X
pISSN - 1686-3933
DOI - 10.48048/wjst.2021.22792
Subject(s) - compaction , atterberg limits , water content , soil water , geotechnical engineering , soil science , environmental science , soil compaction , proctor compaction test , mathematics , engineering
Soil compaction is one of the basic engineering techniques, which is carried out to guarantee the stability of soils dependent on specified strength. Nonetheless, in large-scale construction projects, the estimation of compaction features required tremendous effort and time that can be saved utilizing empirical relationships at the initial phases. It becomes critical to develop models to predict the compaction features, namely the maximum dry unit weight (γdmax) and optimum water content (WOP). This article attempts to develop models to predict the γdmax and WOP of fine-grained clay soils. Geotechnical tests such as grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, and proctor compaction tests are performed to assess soil samples' physical and hyro-mechanical characteristics. Multivariate analysis is conducted using MINITAB 18 software to develop the predictive models. The validation process of developed models includes the determination coefficient, probability value (p-value), comparison of the predicted values with experimental values, comparison of the models proposed in this study with other existing models found in the recent literature, and employing a different soil data set. The predicted values obtained from the models proposed in this research project are more accurate than other models developed recently. The proposed models estimate the compaction features of fine-grained clay soils with acceptable precision.
HIGHLIGHTS
Soil compaction is one of the basic engineering techniques perform to guarantee the stability of soils dependent on specified strength
In large-scale construction projects, the estimation of compaction parameters required tremendous effort and time that can be saved utilizing empirical relationships at the initial phases
This study has developed semi-empirical models to predict the compaction parameters (maximum dry unit weight and optimum water content) of fine-grained soils
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT