Applies to QEST Web App

Contents

Overview

The ASTM D698 Standard Proctor worksheet covers the laboratory compaction methods used to determine the relationship between molding water content and dry unit weight of soils (compaction curve), compacted using Standard Effort.

This article provides information on how the various choices available within the QEST Web App worksheet for this test method provide the required pathways to deal with the variations within the test.

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Embedded Tests

General functionality is described in the article Associated Test Results.

The following associated test methods are embedded in this worksheet:

• ASTM D2216 Water Content

• ASTM C127 Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption

Data Entry

Preparation

This section allows some preliminary details to be recorded, such as how the test portion was prepared, and what the compaction method to be used is and how it was determined.

There is also provision for additional material description details to be added, if required.

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Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Default - Preparation Method recorded as “Moist”.
Open	Preparation Method recorded as “Dry”.
Open	Default - no action required
Open	An input field, to allow a Visual Description of the material being tested, is provided.
Open	Default - Compaction Method is unable to be determined until the proportion of oversize material is determined.
Open	Compaction Method is displayed as a group of radio buttons for the user to make a selection. Default: Open
	Open
	Open

Oversize Determination

Selections made from the Oversize Proportion Determined By set of radio buttons configure this section to provide the necessary fields to obtain the required particle size information for the oversized material.

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Default Selecting Measured as part of this test as the determination method causes fields to be made available to determine a partial grading of the material, based on the oversize sieves. If the oversize determination is carried out as part of this test, the Passing Material Water Content is required to determine the oversize percentage.
Open	Selecting Import from another test as the determination method allows the results from another test to be made available for data entry, as per Associated Test Results | Import from Another Test.
Open	Selecting External source as the determination method causes the standard fields for an external source, as per Associated Test Results | External Source, to be made available for data entry.

Passing Material Water Content

This section records the determination of the water content of the material that is smaller than (passes) the selected oversize sieve.

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	The Passing Material Water Content Determined By radio button set is available to select how the water content is obtained. Open If the oversize determination is being carried out as part of this test, this selection is locked to Yes as the result is necessary to determine the oversize percentage.
Open	No action required.
Open	Default Selecting Measured as part of this test as the determination method causes an embedded version of ASTM D2216 Water Content Test to be made available for data entry. The dry mass in the embedded water content will be available for dry mass data entry in the Dry Mass Entry grid.
Open	Selecting Import from another test as the determination method allows the results from another test to be made available for data entry, as per Associated Test Results | Import from Another Test.
Open	Selecting External source as the determination method causes the standard fields for an external source, as per Associated Test Results | External Source, to be made available for data entry.

ASTM D4718 Oversize Correction Data

In order to correct the Proctor test results for the existence of oversize, ASTM D698 references ASTM D4718. This requires that the percentage of coarse material is known as well as the relative density and water content.

Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Oversize

From the data entry point of view, the function of this sub-section is to provide a result from an ASTM C127 Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate test, carried out on the oversize particles.

The source of this value is selected by using the Determined By radio button set.

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Default Selecting Measured as part of this test as the determination method causes an embedded version of ASTM C127 to be made available for data entry.
Open	Selecting Import from another test as the determination method allows the results from another test to be made available for data entry, as per Associated Test Results | Import from Another Test.
Open	Selecting External source as the determination method causes the standard fields for an external source, as per Associated Test Results | External Source, to be made available for data entry.

Water Content of Oversize

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Default The absorption value determined in C127 is deemed to be the water content of the coarse aggregate.
Open	An embedded version of D2216 is made available for data entry to determine the water content of the coarse aggregate.

Test Fraction Specific Gravity

The specific gravity, of the material that actually gets compacted (i.e. with oversize removed), is required in order to calculate, and chart, the 100% Saturation (Zero Air Voids) line.

As per ASTM D698 11.4.1, the specific gravity of the material can be an assumed (estimated), or a measured, value.

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Default - A value is expected to be entered here: Open
Open	Displays the Determined By radio button set to allow the user to select how the Test Fraction Specific Gravity value is determined. Open
Open	Default Selecting Import from another test as the determination method allows the results from another test to be made available for data entry, as per Associated Test Results | Import from Another Test.
Open	Selecting External source as the determination method causes the standard fields for an external source, as per Associated Test Results | External Source, to be made available for data entry.

Compaction

The details of the individual test portions compacted at different water contents, and the equipment used, are recorded in this section. The wet unit weight is calculated, for each test portion, after the compaction procedure. Details of the water content determination are also recorded here. On completion, the water content and dry unit weight of the compacted test portion are calculated.

Equipment Used

As per standard QEST platform practice, the identity of individual equipment items used for testing can be recorded by selecting from the appropriate equipment lists.

Equipment, where further information is provided, is shown below.

Compaction Mold

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When a mold is selected, the Mold Mass and Volume are imported into the appropriately named fields, if they are provided in the equipment calibration.

Compaction Data

By default, data entry space for four test portions is provided. More can be added, if required.

Open

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Default - no action required.
Open	Adds a Converted Wet Density chart to section. Inserts extra fields into the Compaction Data grid. For more details, refer to Converted Wet Density sub-section below.
Open	Default - all entered values for mass are expected to be in grams (g).
Open	All entered values for mass are expected to be in pounds (lb).

Converted Wet Density

The Converted Wet Density feature is provided to assist Laboratory Technicians, undertaking this test, to judge their progress in achieving the maximum compaction condition.

A converted wet density value (CWD) is an estimated dry density value based on the measured wet density value and the available water content information (w_est).

The converted wet density chart plots CWD values against the w_est values in the same way that the final results are plotted.

If the fine material (passing material) water content is available, this is included in the calculation of w_est and results in a reasonable estimate of the MDUW.

If the fine material water content is not available, plotting these values still provides a good indication of the shape of the compaction curve. This allows the technician to make an informed judgement as to whether further compaction points will be required, and if so, how much water should be added.

When the Enter converted wet density data checkbox is ticked, the following things happen:

(1) An additional chart for converted wet density is added to the worksheet.

• Points are plotted as results are made available.

• The curve is not drawn until all the points are available.

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(2) Extra fields are inserted into the Compaction Data grid

Open

• Water masses and percentages can be negative, indicating that the water content of the test portion has been reduced by drying from its “as received” condition.

• Water masses and percentages of zero indicate that the water content of the test portion is its “as received” condition.

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Water Content Determination

Open

• The water content of of each compacted test portion is determined, in accordance with ASTM D2216.

• Once the water content is determined, the Dry Unit Weight of the compacted test portion is calculated.

Results

Laboratory test results are shown as both a chart and numeric values.

Maximum Dry Unit Weight Chart

Open

• Compaction Curve: Dry Unit Weight vs. Water Content

• Corrected Curve: Dry Unit Weight corrected for oversize material vs. Water Content

• 100% Saturation Curve: Dry Unit Weight vs. Water Content for Saturation

Chart Scaling

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Default - no action required.
Open	The appearance of the chart can be changed by using the following: Dry Unit Weight to Water Content Ratio radio button set Water Content Start value Water Content Division Size value

Dry Unit Weight to Water Content Ratio

By default, the major graduations of both axes of the chart are set to represent unit values, that is 1 lbf/ft³ and 1%. This set of radio buttons allows this to be changed.

Open

Water Content Start

Open

• This value sets what is the smallest (left-most) value of Water Content that is to be displayed on the chart.

• When this value is null, the minimum value of Water Content is determined automatically by the worksheet.

Water Content Division Size

Open

• This sets the value of how much the distance between major graduations on the horizontal axis represents in term of Water Content%. If no value is entered, the default value is 1%.

• Changing this will also change the scaling of the vertical axis (Dry Unit Weight) because of the relationship between the two axes represented by the Dry Unit Weight to Water Content Ratio.

Curve Fitting

To draw the charts, the worksheet can use one of two curve fitting processes:

• Bézier curve

• Cubic spline

The best type of curve to use will depend on the points available and can be chosen by the user.

By default, the Bézier curve will be selected. This default setting can be changed - see below.

Selection	Result

Selection	Result
Open	Open
Open	Open

Setting Default Method

The option, MddCurveFittingAlgorithm, can be used to set the default curve fitting method. Valid values for this worksheet are:

• 1 - for Bézier curve;

• 2 - for Cubic spline.

Laboratory Results

Numeric values are shown for the following values:

• Maximum Dry Unit Weight (lbf/ft³)

• Optimum Water Content (%)

When required, the above results, with the correction for oversize material applied, will be displayed.

• Adjusted Maximum Dry Unit Weight (lbf/ft³)

• Adjusted Optimum Water Content (%)

Equipment List

The following equipment can be selected on the worksheet:

Reporting

The results from this worksheet can be reporting on the following test report.

Proctor Test Report

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Properties

Reported Values

Batch Update Support

This worksheet is not supported on the batch update page.

Work Progress and Complete Status