PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST

Objective:
Determination of the dry density and moisture content relationship of a soil
Equipment:
Cylindrical mould and accessories, Rammer of 2.6kg, Sample extruder, Balance (1g
accuracy), Mixing Tray, Straight edge knife, Moisture meter, Graduated cylinder.
Procedure:
1. Take the 3 kg soil sample passing through the 4.75mm sieve in a mixing tray.
2. Measure the hygroscopic water content of the soil sample by moisture meter.
3. Weigh the mould without base plate and apply grease lightly on the interior surfaces.
Fix the collar on the top of mould.
4. Add water to the soil to bring its moisture content to about 14% and then mix it
thoroughly by hand until there should not find any lumps in the soil.
5. For light compaction, compact the moist soil in three equal layers using a rammer of
mass 2.6 kg and having free fall of 31 cm. Distribute the blows evenly, and apply 25
blows in each layer. Ensure that the last compacted layer extends above the collar
joint.
6. Rotate the collar so as to remove it, and trim the excess soil and level off the top of
the mould. Any small cavities should be filled up with soil.
7. Weigh the compacted soil with mould and note down the reading.
8. Fit the mould on to the extruder and jack out the soil. Break up the sample on a tray.
9. Add 3% increment of water to soil sample and repeat the procedure again. Mix in
water thoroughly for each time of water added
10. Repeat the compaction process until a peak value of maximum dry density reached
followed by a few samples of lesser compacted soil masses.

Observations and Calculations:

Volume of mould V (cm) = 1000
Mass of the mould W (g) = 2142
Reading shown in moisture meter R = 7.4
Hygroscopic water content = (100R) (100-R)
Hygroscopic water content of the soil = 8%

S.No

Hygroscopic
water content
(%)

Percentage
Water
Added (%)

Total
Water
Added
() (%)

Weight of
Soil +
Mould
(gm)

Weight
of Soil
(W)
(gm)

Bulk
Density of
Soil ()
(gm/cc)

Dry Density
of Soil (d)
(gm/cc)

Void
Ratio (e)

14

3757.5

1615.5

1.6155

1.41710526

0.862953

2
3
4
5
6

8
8
8
8
8

9
12
15
18
21

17
20
23
26
29

3945
4027
4124
4118
4075

1803
1885
1982
1976
1933

1.803
1.885
1.982
1.976
1.933

1.54102564
1.57083333
1.61138211
1.56825397
1.49844961

0.713145
0.680637
0.638345
0.683401
0.761821

Water content (%)

100% line theoretical

90% line theoretical

80% line theoretical

maximum Dry

maximum Dry

maximum Dry

density (g/cc)

density(g/cc)

density(g/cc)

14

1.92757

1.87145

1.80574

17

1.82219

1.76156

1.69122

20

1.72774

1.66386

1.59036

23

1.64260

1.57643

1.50085

26

1.56546

1.49773

1.42088

29

1.49524

1.42651

1.34900

DRY DENSITY VS WATER CONTENT

2

DRY DENSITY

1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

WATER CONTENT
Dry Density Vs Water Content

100% Saturation Line

90% Saturation Line

80% Saturation Line

Void Ratio Vs Dry Density

0.9

Void Ratio

0.85
0.8
0.75
0.7
0.65
0.6
1.4

1.45

1.5

1.55

Dry Density in g/cc

1.6

1.65

Results:
The maximum dry density of soil sample is 1.61 g/cc and the optimum moisture
content is 23%.
Discussion:
Initially with addition of water dry density increases as water acts as a lubricant, with
compaction soil particle come closer. So volume decrease, it achieves maximum value
when air volume becomes minimum. After addition dry density decreases as water occupy
soil particles.
By compaction be can improve shear strength, compressibility, permeability of the soil.
Conclusion:
From the shape of the graph it can be concluded that the soil might be a low plastic
clay and the optimum moisture content of the soil was 23% and if this soil is to be used in a
field then the density of the soil at the field should be almost equal to 1.61 g/cc
References:
V.N.S. Murthy, Soil mechanics and foundation engineering.
Braja M.Das, Principles of Geotechnical Engineering fifth edition.