What is measured during a soil compaction test?

During a soil compaction test, the primary measurement taken is soil density. This test evaluates how compacted the soil is, which is crucial for determining its structural stability and load-bearing capacity. Soil density is indicative of the amount of air and moisture in the soil, which also affects its mechanical properties. Achieving optimal soil density is essential in construction and engineering projects because it helps to ensure that the soil can support structures effectively, preventing issues like settling or shifting over time.

Other factors like soil texture, depth, and moisture content can influence soil density but are not the main focus of a soil compaction test. Soil texture provides information about the composition and particle size but does not directly indicate compaction levels. Soil depth is important for understanding the overall volume of soil available but is not a direct measure of how tightly packed the soil particles are. Soil moisture content can influence density, as moisture affects the weight and volume of the soil, but the test specifically measures density to assess compaction.