Water to Reach Optimum Moisture for Compaction

Gallons of water to bring a dry lift up to the Proctor's optimum moisture before rolling.

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Details, formula, and sources

water = (optimum - field)/100 x dry soil weight, gallons = lb / 8.34. A 100 bcy lift at 105 pcf dry, sitting at 9% when optimum is 14%, needs ~1,700 gal (one water truck); a lift wetter than optimum signals aerate, not water.

dry_weight_lb = volume_bcy x 27 x dry_density_pcf; water_lb = (omc_pct - field_pct)/100 x dry_weight_lb; water_gal = water_lb / 8.34; needs_drying = field_pct > omc_pct.

Gravimetric water-content identity by name (water added = moisture deficit x dry soil mass); first-principles arithmetic.

The gravimetric water-content relation is public soil-mechanics practice; the 8.34 lb/gal water weight is a physical fact.

Estimate. AHJ and licensed professional govern.

Field names used by the API: volume_bcy, dry_density_pcf, omc_pct, field_pct, dry_weight_lb, water_lb, water_gal

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