Novel non-nuclear methodology for coarse granular soil compaction control: the Sherbrooke Method

The nuclear density gauge (NDG) is the most established device for compaction control. Several studies have proposed alternatives to it, but none have been widely adopted for a variety of reasons. This paper presents the Sherbrooke Method (SM), which involves the use of innocuous, user-friendly, and low-cost devices. It uses frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) sensors to obtain bulk density and gravimetric water content. In this research, 442 field test comparisons between the SM and the NDG device, and 117 between the SM and physical tests were obtained at sites where a type of well-graded gravel (MG 20 in Quebec) was used. The FDR technology showed promising results, with good ability to predict bulk density and gravimetric water content. Moreover, the method presented low complexity of execution and the data emitted by the probe can be obtained in 1 minute. Nowadays, the total lapse of time from setting up the device to the final response (of 3 tests) is approximately 20 minutes. The SM also presents a bulk density precision comparable to that of other devices reported in the technical literature.