Proctor Compaction Test

The Proctor Compaction Test establishes the maximum unit weight that a particular type of
soil can be compacted to using a controlled compactive force at an optimum water content.

Equipment
The equipment utilized to conduct the test includes:

 10-centimeter diameter cylindrical compaction mold equipped with a base and a collar
 Proctor rammer weighing 2,5 kg or 4,5 kg depending on whether the standard of the
modified test is conducted
 No.4 Sieve
 Steel straightedge
 Moisture containers
 Graduated cylinder
 Mixer
 Controlled oven
 Metallic tray and a scoop

Test Procedure
The procedure of the Proctor Compaction Test consists of the following steps:
 Obtain about 3 kg of soil.
 Pass the soil through the No. 4 sieve.
 Weight the soil mass and the mold without the collar (Wm).
 Place the soil in the mixer and gradually add water to reach the desired moisture content
(w).
 Apply lubricant to the collar.
 Remove the soil from the mixer and place it in the mold in 3 layers or 5 layers depending
on the method utilized (Standard Proctor or Modified Proctor). For each layer, initiate the
compaction process with 25 blows per layer. The drops are applied manually or
mechanically at a steady rate. The soil mass should fill the mold and extend into the
collar but not more than ~1 centimeter.
 Carefully remove the collar and trim the soil that extends above the mold with a
sharpened straight edge.
 Weight the mold and the containing soil (W).
 Extrude the soil from the mold using a metallic extruder, making sure that the extruder
and the mold are in-line.
 Measure the water content from the top, middle and bottom of the sample.
 Place the soil again in the mixer and add water to achieve higher water content, w.