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Proctor Test (Compaction Test) PDF
Proctor Test (Compaction Test) PDF
AWAM
Universiti Teknologi MARA (Pulau Pinang)
Jalan Permatang Pauh13500,
Permatang Pauh,
Pulau Pinang.
Introduction
Equipment
1. Compaction mold
2. No. 4 U.S. sieve
3. Standard Proctor hammer (5.5 lb)
4. Balance sensitive up to 0.01g
5. Balance sensitive up to 0.1g
6. Large flat pan
7. Jack
8. Steel straight edge
9. Moisture cans
10. Drying oven
11. Plastic squeeze bottle with water
The Proctor compaction mold and hammer is 4” in diameter and 4.584” in height. The
inner volume is 1/30 ft3. The height of fall of the hammer is 12”.
Procedure
1. Obtain about 10 lb of air dry soil and break the soil lumps.
2. Sieve the soil on a No. 4 U.S. sieve. Collect all the minus 4 sieve materials (about 6
lb) in a large pan.
3. Add water to the minus 4 sieve materials and mix thoroughly to bring the moisture
content to about 5%.
4. Determine the weight of the Proctor Mold + base plate (not extension), W1 (lb).
5. Attach the extension to the top of the mold.
6. Pour the moist soil in three equal layers. Compact each layer uniformly with the
Standard Proctor hammer 25 times before each additional layer of loose soil is
poured. At the end of the three-layer compaction, the soil should extend slightly
above the top of the rim of the compaction mold.
7. Remove the extension carefully.
Calculation
General Comments
1. Plot a graph showing γd vs. w (%) and determine the maximum dry unit weight of
compaction, γd (max).
2. Also determine the optimum moisture content corresponding to γd(max).
3. Discuss your results.
4. Why does the weight of the mold + base plate + moist soil (W2) first increase with an
increase in moisture content and then decrease? Discuss.
Date: ________________________________________
No. of layers = 3
Test 1 2 3 4 5 6
W1 (lb)
W2 (lb)
W2 - W1 (lb)
γ (lb/ft3)
Moisture can
No.
W3 (g)
W4 (g)
W5 (g)
w (%)
γd (lb/ft3)