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)

Mold+Wet
Soil(lbs)

MoistSoil(lbs)

9.31

13.23

3.92

117.60

61.00

273.50

249.70

0.13

104.43

9.20

13.60

4.40

132.00

61.00

280.00

249.20

0.16

113.44

9.31

13.52

4.21

126.30

61.00

242.90

214.90

0.18

106.86

9.30

13.34

4.04

121.20

61.00

306.70

265.60

0.20

100.93

9.20

13.25

4.05

121.50

61.00

222.60

190.20

0.25

97.14

9.31

13.16

3.85

115.50

61.00

212.20

178.10

0.29

89.45

MoistUnitWt. MassofCan
(pcf)
(g)

(Line3)/(1/30)

MassCan+ MassofCan+ Moisture

MoistSoil(g)
DrySoil
Content

9
DryUnitWt.

(Line4)/(1+Line8)

Graph from Proctor Data

Achieving Maximum
Compaction

For any job requiring fill/compaction the engineer

will specify the compaction requirements:

ODOT Roadway Embankment

Requirements:
Maximum Laboratory
Minimum Compaction
Dry Weight
[lb/ft3 ]
90 to 104.9

Requirements in Percent of
Laboratory Maximum
102

105 to 119.9

100

120 and higher

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