Proctor Compaction Test for Maximum Dry Density

What Is Compaction?

Compaction is the process of increasing the bulk density of a soil or aggregate by driving out air. For any soil, at a given compactive effort, the density obtained depends on the moisture content.

For any soil, an optimum water content exists at which it will achieve its maximum density.

Soils are compacted for the following reasons:

1.

2.
3. 4.

To increase strength and stability To decrease permeability To enhance resistance to erosion Decrease compressibility under load and minimize settlement

Common Equipment
Shown:

Sheepsfoot Padfoot Vibratory Roller Grid Roller

Dynamic Compaction: Profile of Overlap

Definition: Maximum Dry Density

The peak dry unit weight is called the "maximum dry density. The Optimum Water Content, wopt, is the water content at the soils maximum dry density.

Achieving Maximum Compaction In The Field

Proctor Compaction Test determines the optimum water content and maximum dry density of for a soil. A required range for moisture is often specified by the engineer:

Ie, 3% below and 2% above optimum.

For example, if optimum water content is 16%, the acceptable range would be from 13% to 18%.

Percent compaction is also specified:

Meaning required percentage of max dry density

% Compaction = dry field /dry max

Dry Density Curve: Proctor Test

How Does A Contractor Modify Compaction in the Field?

Adjust Water Content More Passes Thinner Lifts Bigger Rollers

How Do We Determine Actual Field Density?

Sand Cone Test Nuclear Densometer

Getting Back To The Proctor Compaction Test

Test developed to help specify levels (%) compaction (1933). Ralph R. Proctor first defined this standard compaction test in Engineering News Record

Proctor Compaction Procedure

Soil is air dried, pulverized & passed thru #4 sieve. Separated into 4 to 6 samples. Adjust the water content of each sample by adding water.

Proctor Compaction Procedure

Using the proctor mould (1/30th cubic foot) place & compact soil in 3 layers. Each layer should receive 25 drops of the compaction hammer.

Proctor Compaction Procedure

After the last layer, use a straight edge to trim the excess soil leveling to the top of the mould.

Proctor Compaction Procedure

Determine the weight of the mould with the compacted moist soil. Extrude from mould and collect a sample for water content determination.

Repeat for each sample over a range of moisture contents.

Proctor Compaction Procedure

After collecting all pertinent weights, calculate dry density and plot vs. water content

Typical Proctor Data

1
Mold (lbs)

2
Mold + Wet Soil (lbs)

3
Moist Soil (lbs)

8
Moisture Content

9
Dry Unit Wt.

Moist Unit Wt. Mass of Can (pcf) (g)

Mass Can + Mass of Can + Moist Soil (g) Dry Soil

9.31 9.20 9.31

13.23 13.60 13.52

3.92 4.40 4.21

117.60 132.00 126.30

61.00 61.00 61.00

273.50 280.00 242.90

249.70 249.20 214.90

0.13 0.16 0.18

104.43 113.44 106.86

9.30
9.20 9.31

13.34
13.25 13.16

4.04
4.05 3.85

121.20
121.50 115.50

61.00
61.00 61.00

306.70
222.60 212.20

265.60
190.20 178.10

0.20
0.25 0.29

100.93
97.14 89.45 (Line 4)/(1+Line 8)

(Line 3)/(1/30)

Graph from Proctor Data

Proctor Compaction Results
120

115 110
Dry Density (pcf)

105
100 95 90 85 80 0.00 0.10 0.20 Water Content 0.30 0.40

Achieving Maximum Compaction

For any job requiring fill/compaction the engineer will specify the compaction requirements:

ODOT Roadway Embankment Requirements:

Maximum Laboratory Dry Weight [lb/ft3 ] 90 to 104.9 105 to 119.9 120 and higher Minimum Compaction Requirements in Percent of Laboratory Maximum 102 100 98

Achieving Maximum Compaction

Since the maximum dry density is material specific, AND Since material being hauled in may change from truck to truck, It is necessary to verify the maximum dry density number for the material being placed.

One-Point Proctor

Thus, the one-point proctor is used to verify the maximum dry density of soils in the field. One proctor test is done to determine the wet density vs. moisture content. Then a family of curves is used to determine the maximum dry density.

ODOT Family of Curves

Percent Compaction

Then, comparing the maximum dry density to the ACTUAL density being achieved (nuclear densometer), we can calculate % compaction. % Compaction = dry field /dry max