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METHOD
STATEMENT
4/3.3

1.0
4/3.4

1.0

BS 1377: 1990 - British Standard Methods of test for Soils

for civil engineering purposes
Part 4: Compaction-Related Tests, 3.3 - Method using 2.5 kg rammer for
soils with particles up to medium-gravel-size (1 Litre standard mould)
Part 4: Compaction-Related Tests, 3.4 - Method using 2.5 kg rammer for
soils with some coarse gravel size particles (2.3 Litres CBR mould)

Method Statement 4/3.3 and 4/3.4 for Standard Compaction

This laboratory test covers the determination of the dry density of soil in a specified manner over a
range of moisture contents when it is compacted. In method 4/3.3, the soil shall be passing 20mm
test sieve and for method 4/3.4 soil retained on a 20mm test sieve shall be 30%. The relationship
between the dry densities and moisture contents are presented to determine the optimum moisture
content at which the maximum dry density is obtained.

1.1

Laboratory Equipment

1.1.1

Cylindrical metal mould with detachable baseplate and top extension. The nominal internal volume for
method 4/3.3 is 1 Litre and for method 4/3.4 is 2.3 Litre.

1.1.2

A hand or motorised metal rammer, 2.5 kg

1.1.3

Balance, capacity 12kg x 1 gm accuracy

1.1.4

A large scoop, a straightedge (or steel ruler) and metal tray for preparing (mixing) sample.

1.2

Procedural Steps

1.2.1

Weigh the mould with baseplate.

1.2.2

Attach the top extension to the mould with extension and place the whole assembly on a concrete
floor.

1.2.3

Mix prepared sample in metal tray with a measured amount of water.

1.2.4

Place a quantity of moist soil in the mould such that when compacted, it occupies about one-third of
the height of the mould body per layer (a total of three layers)

1.2.5

Apply 27 blows from the rammer dropped from a height of 300mm above the soil as controlled by the
guide tube. Distribute the blows uniformly over the surface.

1.2.6

Repeat the above procedure 1.2.3 and 1.2.4 two more times.

1.2.7

Remove the top extension, strike off the excess soil and level off the surface of the compacted soil
with a straightedge.

1.2.8

Weigh the soil and mould with baseplate.

1.2.9

Remove the compacted soil from the mould and obtain two representative samples (one from the top
and one from bottom) for moisture contents determination.

1.2.10 Break up the remainder of the soil and mix with the remainder of the prepared soil by adding a
suitable increment of water or use dry prepared sample for procedure 1.2.11
1.2.11 Repeat procedures 1.2.3 to 1.1.10 to get at least five determinations with different moisture content.

1.3

Calculations, expression of results and test report

1.3.1

Presentation of results is in accordance to BS1377: 1990, Part 4, Method 3.3.5 and 3.3.6

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