Okuzeka
Civil Engineering & Construction vocabulary · Foundations and Soil

Compaction

Meaning in civil engineering & construction, with examples

/kəmˈpækʃən/nounCommon term

In civil engineering & construction, compaction means: Pressing soil or fill together, usually with rollers or plate compactors, to remove air, make it denser and stronger, and reduce later settlement.

In Turkish: sıkıştırma, kompaksiyon

How it is used

Compaction is specified as a percentage of the maximum dry density from a Proctor test, for example 95%. Site teams carry out compaction in layers and check it with density tests.

Example sentences

  1. The density test shows only 90% compaction, so the layer has to be rolled again.

  2. Good compaction of the subgrade is essential before the road base is laid.

Common collocations

  • degree of compaction
  • compaction test
  • compaction equipment
  • achieve compaction
  • plate compactor
  • backfillSoil or granular material placed back into an excavation around foundations, pipes or walls after they have been built; also the act of filling it.
  • subgradeThe natural or prepared soil at the bottom of a road, on which all the pavement layers are built. Its strength largely decides how thick the pavement must be.
  • earthworksAll the work of moving soil on a site: excavating, transporting, filling, compacting and shaping the ground to the required levels.
  • settlementThe downward movement of a foundation or structure as the soil beneath it compresses under load. Some settlement is normal; too much causes cracks.

More terms: Foundations and Soil

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: