Question

For same soil, the effect of heavier compaction is to ________

(a) decrease the optimum water content

(b) decrease in the maximum dry density

(c) decrease in stability

(d) decrease in strength

This question was posed to me during an interview.

Enquiry is from Modified Proctor Test and Harvard Miniature Compaction Test in division Compaction of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) decrease the optimum water content

For explanation: Compaction reduces the voids ratio and hence there is decrease in the porosity. Hence, for same soil, the effect of heavier compaction is to decrease the optimum water content.