Proctor Compaction Test

Procedure:

1. Obtain about 3 kg of air-dried soil in the mixing pan and brake all the lumps.

2. Add suitable amount of water. (See Note 01 & 02)

3. Determine the weight of the empty mold with the base plate and the collar (M1) to the
nearest 1g.

4. Fix the collar and the base plate.

5. Compact the moist soil in to the mold in three layers of approximately equal mass. (Each
layer shall be compacted by 25 blows). Blows must be distributed uniformly over the
surface of each layer so that the hammer always falls freely. The amount of soil must be
sufficient to fill the mold, leaving not more than 6 mm to be struck off when the extension
is removed. (See Note 03))

6. Detach the collar carefully without disturbing the compacted soil inside the mold and
using a straightedge trim the excess soil leaving the mold.

7. Obtain the weight of mold with base plate and the moist soil (M2).

8. Extrude the sample and break it to collect the sample for water content determination
preferably at least two specimens one near the top and other near the bottom.

9. Weigh an empty can, (M3) and weigh again with the moist soil obtained from the
extruded sample in step 8 (M4).

10. Keep this can in the oven for water content determination.

11. Repeat step 4 to 10. During this process weight M2 increases for some time with the
increase in moisture and decreases thereafter. Conduct at least two trials after the weight
starts to reduce. (See Note 04)
12. After 24 hours get the weight of oven dried sample (M5).

 Note 01 -
The amount of water to be added with air dried soil at the commencement of the test will
vary with the type of soil under test. In general, with sandy and gravely soil a moisture
content of 4% to 6% would be suitable, while with cohesive soils a moisture content of
about 8% to 10% below the plastic limit of the soil, would be usually be suitable.

 Note 02 – It is important that the water is mixed thoroughly and adequately with the soil,
since inadequate mixing gives rise to variable test results. This is particularly Important
with cohesive soil when adding a substantial quantity of water to the air dried soil.

With clays of high plasticity, or where hand mixing is employed, it may be difficult to
distribute the water uniformly through the air dried soil by mixing alone, and it may be
necessary to store the mixed sample in a sealed container for a minimum period of about
16 hours before continuing with the test.

 Note 03 – It is necessary to control the total volume of the soil compacted; since it has
been found that if the amount of soil struck off after removing the extension is too great,
the test results will be inaccurate.

 Note 04 – The water added for each stage of the test should be such that a range of
moisture contents is obtained which includes the optimum moisture content. In general,
increments of 1% to 2% are suitable for sandy and gravely soils and of 2% to 4% for
cohesive soils. To increase the accuracy of the test it is often advisable to reduce the
increments of water in the region of the optimum moisture content.