HERITAGE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics Laboratory (CIVL 3111)
PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST

Experiment no: - Date:-

Object of experiment: - The object of the experiment is to determine the compaction

characteristics of given soil.
Theory:-
The dry density γd is given by the following relation,

γd =
1+
Where,
γ = bulk density of soil,
ω=moisture content of soil.
Apparatus:-
1. Proctor’s standard equipment consisting of
(a) Proctor’s mould,
(b) Hammer,
2. Electric Oven,
3. Balance,
4. 4.75 mm sieve,
5. Steel Spatula.
Procedure:-
(1) About 2.5 kg. of loose soil passing through 4.75 mm sieve, is taken.
(2) The empty proctor mould is weighed in the platform balance.
(3) The proctor mould is filled with the soil in three layers, each layer being
compacted by 25 blows of the standard rammer of 2.6 kg dropped from a height
of 31 cm above the soil. After compacting the second layer the mould is fitted
with a detachable collar for compaction of third layer. The compacted layer is then
finished to a level surface just at the rim of the mould itself.
(4) The mould with this soil is weighed is the platform balance. The bulk density
of the soil is calculated.
(5) A small amount of the compacted soil is taken in a container of known weight for
determination of moisture content.
(6) The dry density is calculated from the bulk density and moisture content as
obtained in steps 4 and 5 respectively.
(7) Steps 3 to 6 are repeated with increasing moisture content of the soil.
(8) Moisture content of soil is increased by adding water 2 – 5 % by weight of dry
soil each time. Bulk density of contacted soil will increase initially with the
increase in moisture content. After certain moisture content bulk density will
decrease. The test is repeated till a decreasing trend in bulk density is observed.
(9) From the data as obtained from the tests mentioned above moisture content vs. dry
density curve is plotted for the soil. From the curve, optimum moisture content
 HERITAGE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Civil Engineering
Soil Mechanics Laboratory (CIVL 3111)
and maximum dry density are determined.
Observations & Result:
1. Details of the Proctor mould:
(a) Height = (b) Diameter = (c) Volume = (d) Weight =
2. Dry Density and Moisture Content:

Observation No. 1 2 3 4 5

Weight of mould +
compacted soil (kg)

Weight of compacted
soil (kg)

Bulk Density, γ
(kg/cm3)

Can No.

Weight of empty can

(w1) (gm)

Weight of can + wet

soil (w2) (gm)

Weight of can + dry

soil (w3) (gm)

Moisture Content
w2-w3
ω(%)=  100
w3-w1

Dry Density, γd =
1+
(gm/cc)

Result:
Plot dry density vs. moisture content.
From the curve, find optimum moisture content and maximum dry density.

Roll no:-
Name:-
_________________
Teacher’s signature