Enter the original thickness (in) and the thickness after compaction (in) into the Percent Compaction Calculator. The calculator will evaluate the Percent Compaction. 

Percent Compaction Formula

The following two example problems outline the steps and information needed to calculate the Percent Compaction.

PC = (OT-TC)/OT*100

Variables:

  • PC is the Percent Compaction (%)
  • OT is the original thickness (in) 
  • TC is the thickness after compaction (in) 

To calculate the percent compaction, divide the change in thickness by the original thickness, then multiply by 100.

How to Calculate Percent Compaction?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Percent Compaction.

  1. First, determine the original thickness (in). 
  2. Next, determine the thickness after compaction (in). 
  3. Next, gather the formula from above = PC = (OT-TC)/OT*100.
  4. Finally, calculate the Percent Compaction.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

original thickness (in) = 30

thickness after compaction (in) = 20

PC = (OT-TC)/OT*100 = ?