A soil compacted on dry side of optimum has high water deficiency and more random orientation of particles so it can imbibe more water than the soil on wet of optimum hence, swelling is more for soil compacted on dry side of optimum. While soils compacted on wet of optimum, tends to exhibit more shrinkage upon drying due to smaller voids and hence larger capillary tension developed on drying large capillary tension leads to easier movement of particles.

• In general, strength (shear strength) of cohesive soils compacted on dry of optimum is higher than those compacted on wet of optimum due to flocculated structure on dry side of optimum which has greater strength.

• On dry side, negative pore water pressure develops as a consequence of capillary action. Strength declines as the OMC is reached and continues to decrease on the wet side of optimum.

• Organic content of clay soils causes an increase in optimum moisture content and decrease in maximum dry density.