Effect of Moisture Variation on the Compaction Result of Soft Clay
Suhairiani Suhairiani(*), Nahesson Panjaitan, Enny Keristiana Sinaga, Samuel Breba Ginting, Rouli Yosabatin Dumohar Hutapea

Universitas Negeri Medan

Abstract

Soil moisture conditions influenced by the rainy and dry seasons have a significant impact on the results of soil compaction in the field. In the rainy season, soils tend to be saturated or near saturated with water due to high rainfall, creating large pore pressures and reducing soil stability. In contrast, during the dry season, the moisture content in the soil is very low, inhibiting the movement and locking of soil particles during the compaction process. This study aims to assess the effect of moisture variation on the compaction results of soft clay soils, specifically by comparing soil strength at the same dry volume weight (&#947-d) value in the dry zone and wet zone. This research method is experimental on a laboratory scale, with stages including soil physical properties testing and soil compressive strength testing. All testing procedures refer to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). The results of the research are expected to provide an understanding of the optimal moisture content for effective compaction, as well as its implications for soil strength under different environmental conditions.

Keywords: Compaction, Dry volume weight, Optimum moisture content, Soil moisture, Soft clay,

Topic: Sciences, Engineering and Material Science