Humboldt H-4165 Harvard Miniature Compaction Apparatus - Manual (Page 4)

Moisture-Density Relationship
The calculations in Section-6 shall be made to determine the moisture content
and corresponding oven-dry weight (density) for each of the compacted soil
samples. The oven-dry weights per cubic foot (densities) of the soil shall be plot-
ted as ordinates and corresponding moisture contents as abscissas.
Optimum Moiture Content
When the densities and corresponding moisture contents for the soil have been
determined and plotted as indicated in paragraph, it will be found that by con-
necting the plotted points with a smooth line, a curve is produced. The moisture
content corresponding to the peak of the curve shall be termed the “optimum
moisture content” of the soil under the above compaction.
Maximum Density
The oven-dry weight per cubic foot of the soil at “optimum moisture content”
shall be termed “maximum density” under the above compaction.