Laboratory evaluation of different compaction procedures applied to earthworks soils

This paper presents the results of an investigation, carried out at the University of Padova, Road Research Laboratory, with the purpose to compare two different laboratory methodologies for the compaction of unbound earthworks soils, for roads and airports construction. In addition to the Proctor procedure, gyratory compaction was used to prepare laboratory samples, even if such methodology is not so usual in Italy in testing unbound materials. However, the gyratory compactor gives useful informations about the progression of shearing strength and density during compaction, demonstrating that the traditional Proctor procedures could have selective applicability depending on the soil being studied.