Concrete, grout & mortar

OMC and MDD are determined through laboratory testing using a standard compaction test, such as the Proctor Compaction Test or Modified Proctor Compaction Test. These tests involve compacting a soil sample at different moisture contents and measuring the resulting dry density. The OMC and MDD values are then determined from the test results.
The Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) is the moisture content at which a soil sample has the maximum dry density or the highest density that can be achieved by compacting the soil at that particular moisture content. At the OMC, a soil is considered to be in its most workable state and can be compacted to achieve maximum strength and stability.
The Maximum Dry Density (MDD) is the maximum density that can be achieved by compacting a soil sample at its optimum moisture content. MDD is an important parameter in soil mechanics as it helps in determining the bearing capacity, shear strength, and stability of the soil.

A Nuclear Density Gauge is used to determine the density of a compacted material. The device uses the interaction of gamma radiation with matter to measure density, either through direct transmission or the “backscatter” method.

Determines how much organic matter is in the soil such as charcoal, sticks, and vegetable material. Used for environmental reasons or in fine aggregate for concrete where organic material is not desirable.

A pH probe is inserted into a soil/water mixture to determine how acidic/basic the soil is, usually for safety or environmental reasons.

Classified into one of 7 classes of soil on the basis of coherence in water, and further defined for presence of calcite and gypsum. Traditionally an agricultural test, used for soil classification, and selection of soil for dam lining amongst other applications.

Known as a Grading or a Particle Size Distribution, using sieves, we can determine the size and proportion of sizes that make up the soil sample. For soil classification, pavement materials conformance, amongst many reasons for a grading. Layers underneath asphalt roads are made up of quarried sandy gravel mixtures that are well-graded: material that has proportions of material where the air voids on compaction are reduced as there are ever smaller sized particles to fill them, resulting in high density of the compacted material. This relationship of ever decreasing particle sizes is defined as the Fuller Curve.

Related to Atterberg Limits, determines how much the sample will shrink from its liquid limit state back to its dry state. Generally 1/3-1/2 of its Plasticity Index. For classifying the soil material, help to determine the property changes of the soil with changes in moisture content.

4 Point Liquid Limit, 1 Point Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, Plasticity Index. Determines the moisture content at which the soil passes from a solid to semi-solid. Determines the range of the soils ability to be in a plastic semi-solid state. For classifying the soil material, help to determine the property changes of the soil with changes in moisture content.

Determines how much moisture is in the soil. The properties of soil change with changes in moisture, they can swell and affect structures laid above . They vary in their reactivity to moisture, for example, Clay sands are not as reactive as heavy clays. Often its important to test the strength of soil samples in their worst case scenario, i.e. inundated to replicate flooding. This test is used within many other tests.

Undisturbed sample is one where it has been taken with care to not alter its natural characteristics. Known as insitu sampling, usually taken with oiled cylindrical pipe (u50) pushed into the soil.