Memadatkan

Memadatkan is an Indonesian verb meaning to make something compact or dense by applying pressure or arranging its components. It is used in everyday language and especially in technical contexts such as construction and soil science to describe the act of increasing density, reducing voids, and improving stability.

Etymology: The word is formed from the root padat (dense) with the prefix me- and the causative suffix -kan, indicating responsibility to cause something to become dense.

Applications: In civil engineering and construction, memadatkan tanah (compact soil) to increase bearing capacity and reduce settlement. It is also used with materials such as adukan (mortar) and beton (concrete) to expel air voids and improve strength. In road and airfield construction, soil compaction and asphalt compaction are carried out to achieve target densities.

Methods: Compaction can be achieved by mechanical means, including plate compactors, rollers, rammed pile, and vibrotools; methods include static and dynamic compaction, sometimes using moisture conditioning. The effectiveness of compaction depends on factors like moisture content, soil type, and compaction effort.

Considerations: Overcompaction can reduce porosity and drainage, leading to stiffness and cracking. Field density is commonly assessed using tests such as the Proctor compaction test or field methods like sand cone, nuclear gauge, or mass-density tests to verify achieved density against design specifications.