construction

Soil Compaction

The process of mechanically densifying soil to increase its strength and reduce future settling.

Soil compaction removes air voids from soil, increasing its density and load-bearing capacity. It's required before pouring foundations, roads, and slabs.

Testing

  • Proctor test: Determines maximum dry density and optimum moisture content
  • Nuclear density gauge: Field testing for compaction percentage
  • Target: typically 95% Standard Proctor for fill, 98% for structures

Compaction Factor

Loose soil → compacted: Clay shrinks ~25%. Gravel shrinks ~10–12%. You need more loose fill than the final compacted volume.

Related Calculators

📊 Compaction Volume Estimator📊 Backfilling Calculator

Related Terms

Square Footage

A measurement of area in square feet, commonly used for rooms, homes, and land in the United States.

Concrete Volume

The amount of concrete needed for a project, typically measured in cubic yards or cubic meters.

Board Foot

A unit of lumber volume equal to a piece 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick (144 cubic inches).

Rebar (Reinforcing Bar)

Steel bars embedded in concrete to increase tensile strength, since concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension.

Mortar

A paste of cement, sand, and water used to bind bricks, blocks, or stones in masonry construction.

Drywall

A construction panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two sheets of paper, used for interior walls and ceilings.