Experiment 8: Compaction Test (Proctor Test)
Experiment 8: Compaction Test (Proctor Test)
Page | 1
Introduction :
To find we use Sand cone test and we are going to use Proctor test to Determine 𝛾𝑑
𝑚ax.
Definitions:
Optimum water content:
It's the water content that results in the greatest dry density of the soil with
compacting.
Compaction:
Increase the strength of soil, which is the increase the bearing capacity of
foundation constructed over them.
Page | 2
Theory:
Standard:
Objective:
1. To find the relationship between the dry density of soil and moisture, which
is formed under constant blood energy and variable soil moisture.
2. As the experiment helps us to find the maximum dry density γd max that can
be reached due to the compaction processes in the site.
3. The experiment also enables us to know the moisture that the soil must have
when we want to reach this maximum value in the site due to the
Page | 3
compaction operations.
Equipment used:
- Compaction mold
- Proctor Hammer
- sieve #4 , #3/8 , #3/4
- Balance
- Large mixing bowl
- Form ejecting device (small
automatic hoist).
- Sharp cutting tool (scraper).
- Con
- Oven
Procedures:
1. The sample was sieved in sieve no. #4 and around 2 Kg was taken.
Page | 4
2. Amount of water was added to the soil (5% from the weight of the soil )
and mixed until it became homogeneous.
3. The weight of mold (without the extension part) and plate (W1) was
taken and recorded in table.1.
4. The model was divided into five approximately equal parts.
5. The extension part was added.
6. The moisture soil was added in the mold after cleaning it, it’s added as
five layers, each layer was compacted with number of blows (25 or 56).
7. Extension part and overload soil were removed.
8. After fill the mode we were weighted it and take W2.
9. We calculate the density of the soil.
10.We weight the can.
11.The sample was put in the can and weight it.
12.The can and the wet soil were put in the oven for 24h and we take its
weight (weight of can and dry soil).
13.We added a new amount of water and repeated the prior steps with a
different moisture content (5%, 11%, 8%, 14%,17%).
14.After complete the experiment we want calculate the dry unit weight and
draw the relation between the moisture content and dry unit weight.
Result :
After complete the experiment we fill Table.1
Calculations:
Page | 5
Comment:
After compete table.1 we draw the relationship between ɣ d vs. ω % as
Page | 6
follow:
Discussion:
We find that the maximum dry unit weight equal 1699 Kg/cm3 when the
optimum moisture content equal approximately 69.4% .
Source of error:
1. Human errors.
2. The water that added to the soil in the final iteration large than the actual
percent that should be added.
Page | 7