Differences between standard proctor test and modified proctor test are illustrated below:

Example: A Standard Proctor test was performed on a silty sand soil sample. The test results are shown
below.

1. Plot the compaction curve of the soil and determine the maximum dry unit weight and the
optimum moisture content of the soil.
2. Plot the zero air void curve if the specific gravity of the soil solids G is 2.65

Trial no 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mass of soil and 13.60 13.70 13.96 13.90 13.80 13.70
mold (lb)
Mass of mold (lb) 9.40 9.40 9.40 9.50 9.50 9.50
Volume of mold 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/30
(lb/ft3)
Water content (%) 5 6.5 8.4 10.9 13.3 13.7
 Solve:

TRIAL NUMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mass of Soil & Mold (Mt)
13.60 13.70 13.96 13.90 13.80 13.70
(lb):
Mass of Mold (Mmold) (lb): 9.40 9.40 9.40 9.50 9.50 9.50
Mass of Soil (Ms) (lb): 4.20 4.30 4.56 4.40 4.30 4.20
Wet Density (wet) (lb/ft3): 126.0 129.0 136.8 132.0 129.0 126.0
Water Content w (%): 5.0 6.5 8.4 10.9 13.3 13.7
Dry Density (dry) (lb/ft3): 120.0 121.1 126.2 119.1 113.9 110.8
D ry D e n s ity (g d ,m a x ) (lb /ft3 )

140

135

130

125

120

115

110

105 Data
Zero Air Voids Line
100
0 5 10 15 20 25
Water Content (w) (%)

Optimum moisture content= 8.5%

Maximum dry unit weight= 126 lb/ft 3

 Wet density is calculated dividing the mass of soil with the volume of mold
 Dry density is calculated from the following formula:
wet
dry=
1+ w
Zero air void: It means the soil is fully saturated, with the air is not present in the pores of the
soil mass. It is obtained from the compaction test. The graph is plotted for dry density versus
water content.
Optimum moisture content: The Optimum moisture content (OMC) or Optimum Water
Content (OWC) is the moisture content at which the soil attains maximum dry density. This OMC
value is with respect to the specific amount of compaction energy applied to the soil.

Factors affecting compaction:

 Water content of soil
 Amount of compaction
 Type of soil being compacted
 Amount of compaction energy
 Method of compaction
 Thickness of layer