Compaction test calculator: OMC and MDD

Type the moisture content and bulk density from each Proctor test. Dry density is worked out for each, a curve is fitted, and the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density are read off its peak, beside the zero-air-voids line for your soil's specific gravity.

Works in metric or imperial units.

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How do you find optimum moisture content?

Plot dry density against moisture content for several compaction tests and draw a smooth curve through them. The moisture content at the peak is the optimum moisture content (OMC); the peak itself is the maximum dry density (MDD).

How is dry density calculated?

Dry density = bulk density / (1 + w), with the moisture content w as a decimal. For example 2.10 Mg/m³ at 12% moisture gives 2.10 / 1.12 = 1.875 Mg/m³.

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