{"id":327,"date":"2021-01-22T11:24:21","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T11:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/?p=327"},"modified":"2021-01-22T11:24:23","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T11:24:23","slug":"compact-wet-dirt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/compact-wet-dirt","title":{"rendered":"Can You Compact Wet Dirt?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Soil compaction may seem like a very simply task, but when you come down to actually performing the same, you are likely to find that there are a lot of intricacies involved in the process. So much so that there are actually many studies on the topic \u2013 especially the question of what you can compact wet dirt with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re compacting dirt for a patio or paver or to lay a foundation within, it is important to do it right. A plate compactor can be extremely useful to compact dirt, but then again, a question remains. Is it better to compact dirt as is? Can you compact wet dirt?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A straightforward answer; yes. Not only can you compact wet dirt, it is actually recommended in most cases that you do so. This is because water reduces the friction between dirt particles, effectively reducing the time it takes for dirt to compact. We mentioned previously how long it takes for dirt to settle on its own and the table within showed that <\/strong>wet dirt settles more quickly<\/strong><\/u><\/strong><\/a>. But there\u2019s more to this than meets the eye. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Can You Compact Wet Dirt \u2013 How It Works<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Wet<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Soil in the UK often remains generally wet compared to some states in the US and other equatorial regions (such as Middle Eastern countries). The wet weather means that while the soil ends up compacting much more easily, there are several challenges that fieldwork may present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, where the soil is relatively dry,\u00a0there are concerns regarding the soil not settling enough<\/a> and therefore not being suitable for laying foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re looking to plant in the soil or create a structure on top of it, it is usually a good idea to wet your soil before you start working it. Normally, there are a lot of gaps between soil grains. By introducing water into the mix, you are basically filling those voids with water. The cohesive nature of water means that it pulls grains together, facilitating their motion toward each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This way, wet dirt compaction is much easier than dry dirt compaction.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, before rushing out and gushing water on top of your dirt, remember that there is a technique of doing so. Too much and you will end up making the soil too soggy. As you compress, the water will rise up, effectively leading to a loose top layer. You will have to drain the excess water before compacting the topsoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add too little water and you run the risk of uneven compaction. As you continue compacting using a plate compactor<\/u><\/a> or even an excavator<\/u><\/a>, it might seem like the surface is even but as time passes and the dirt continues to settle, you will find that in some places your surface will depress, while in others, it will remain the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, soil wetness is inversely proportional to void spaces in the soil<\/strong>. The more water you add, the fewer the voids there will be and the more your soil will compact. However, you need to make sure that you don\u2019t end up adding too much water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By default, most soils have a much larger ration of air in between grains. The optimum moisture content (OMC) is 50%, and that is when soil compacts best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Applications of Wet Dirt Compaction<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, the best compaction happens only when the moisture content is optimal. In the field, industrial workers use a modified Proctor test (ASTM D 1557)<\/u><\/a>\u00a0to determine the moisture level. Different settings are used for different purposes. The test also takes into consideration numerous other factors such as material grade, environment, and other fine details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another method used in the field is the measurement of bulk density<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For DIY purposes, just keep an eye on the soil and continue watering it. Once you see that water has stopped seeping in, you\u2019re done. Optimally, you should keep the water level slightly below this point, but without a test, this is the best way to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another method you can use \u2013 a relatively more reliable one \u2013 is to pick up the uncompacted, wet dirt and see whether it can be created into a ball or not. Create the ball and see if it retains the shape<\/strong>. If it does, the soil is ready to be compacted.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Wet Dirt for Compacting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Now that we\u2019ve covered the basics, let\u2019s consider how you can wet dirt to compact it. Remember, compacting methods are relatively similar; all you have to do is sue your excavator or plate compactor (don\u2019t forget to wear wet shoes!) and you\u2019re done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal should be to decrease soil porosity, meaning the number of open pores between soil particles. The more compact your soil is, the fewer pores it has. Water has a way of eliminating these air pockets by \u2018opening new doors\u2019 for these grains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you get into wetting dirt, however, it is important to remember that it is more difficult for plant roots to spread in compact dirt than<\/strong> in<\/strong> loose soil<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin, you will need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. A rake<\/li>
  2. A garden hose. If it has a spray nozzle, that will perform much better. A sprinkler will do just fine here as well<\/li>
  3. (Optional) A soaker hose<\/li>
  4. A plate compactor. If you\u2019re simply looking to compact dirt for your lawn, a lawn roller will do just fine as well. You can also go with a hand tamper<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Naturally, the more effort you put in, the better the results you\u2019ll get. To pack the dirt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n