Standard: BS 1377/1924, ASTM D558/698/, AASHTO T180, EN 13286-2
Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus
Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus is used to determine the optimal moisture content and maximum dry density of soil, measuring the compaction characteristics and the relationship between moisture content and dry density of soil. It consists of rammers and compaction molds with a base plate and collar.
The process involves the compaction mold being filled with a specified amount of soil, and the collar is placed on top to contain the soil during compaction. The soil is compacted using a standardized rammer dropped from a specified height in a series of layers, with each layer receiving a specific number of blows. After compaction, the collar and base plate are removed, and the compacted soil sample is weighed to determine its mass. Additionally, a portion of the soil sample is taken to determine its moisture content. By performing the test at different moisture contents, engineers can establish a compaction curve that illustrates the relationship between moisture content and dry density.
All compaction equipment is manufactured from platen heavy-duty steel to protect against corrosion and rust.
Features of Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus
- Compaction Mold: The compaction mold is designed to contain the soil sample during compaction, typically cylindrical with a detachable collar and base plate. It should be of precise dimensions to meet testing standards.
- Rammer: The rammer is a standardized tool used to compact the soil sample within the compaction mold. It is designed to deliver specified energy to the soil with standardized drop height settings of the rammer, allowing for compaction at different depths within the soil sample for accurate testing.
- Compatibility with Testing Standards: Compatible with industry-standard testing methods such as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) or AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) standards or EN (European Standard).
Standards of Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus
- BS 1377: British Standard (BS) for methods of testing for soils for civil engineering purposes. It covers a wide range of tests and procedures for evaluating the properties of soils, including compaction tests like the Proctor compaction test.
- BS 1924: British Standard, specifies methods of testing soils for civil engineering purposes, focusing specifically on the determination of soil density/moisture content relationships (compaction characteristics).
- ASTM D558: Provides the standard practice for measuring the low-strain dynamic properties of soils using a torsional resonant column device.
- ASTM D698: Specifies the method for determining the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of soils using a standardized compaction test.
- AASHTO T180: Determining the moisture-density relations of soils using a 4.5 kg (10 lb) rammer and a 457 mm (18 in.) drop.
- EN 13286-2: This is a European Standard (EN) specifying the test method for the determination of the maximum and minimum dry density of soils and the determination of the dry density/moisture content relationship using a heavy compaction test.
Test Procedure of Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus
- Preparation of Equipment:
- Ensure that the compaction mold, collar, base plate, and rammer are clean and free from any debris.
- Check that the equipment meets the specifications outlined in the relevant testing standard (e.g., BS 1377/1924, ASTM D558/698/, AASHTO T180, EN 13286-2).
- Sample Preparation:
- Obtain a representative soil sample from the site or laboratory.
- Determine the natural moisture content of the soil sample by oven-drying a portion of it.
- Determine the desired compaction moisture content range based on project requirements.
- Compaction Test Setup:
- Assemble the compaction mold by placing the collar on the base plate.
- Place a known amount of soil (typically specified by the testing standard) into the compaction mold in layers.
- Compact each layer of soil using the standardized rammer. Apply a specific number of blows uniformly distributed over the surface of the soil.
- Compact the soil in multiple layers until the mold is filled to the top.
- Measurement:
- After completing the compaction process, remove the collar and base plate from the mold.
- Measure the mass of the compacted soil sample using a scale.
- Take a sample of the compacted soil for moisture content determination. Weigh the sample and then determine its moisture content, either by oven-drying or using a moisture content measurement device.
- Calculation:
- Calculate the dry density of the compacted soil sample using the measured mass and volume of the mold.
- Plot a compaction curve showing the relationship between moisture content and dry density. Determine the point of maximum dry density and corresponding optimal moisture content.
- Reporting:
- Record all test parameters, including the number of blows, mold dimensions, moisture content, and dry density.
- Report the test results, including the compaction curve the optimum moisture content, and maximum dry density.
- Verification:
- Repeat the test with different moisture contents to verify the consistency of results and identify the optimum moisture content for compaction.
Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus with BS Standard
| NL 5011 X / 001 – A 001 |
Standard Proctor Mould |
| Body Diameter (Id x H) |
Ø 105 mm with Body Height 115.5 mm |
| Volume |
1000 ml |
| Approx. Weight |
6 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 001 – A 002 |
Standard Proctor Rammer |
| Specification |
2.5 kg - 300 mm Fall. Ø 50 mm |
| Dimension |
Ø 60 mm x 565 mm |
| Approx. Weight |
4 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 001 – A 003 |
Modified Proctor Rammer |
| Specification |
4.5 kg - 450 mm Fall. Ø 50 mm |
| Dimension |
Ø 60 mm x 820 mm |
| Approx. Weight |
7 kg |
Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus with EN Standard Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus
| NL 5011 X / 003 – A 001 |
Proctor Mould (Type A) |
| Body Diameter (Id x H) |
Ø 100 x 120 mm with Collar and Base Plate |
| Volume |
924 ml |
| Approx. Weight |
8 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 003 – A 002 |
Split Standard Proctor Mould (Type A) |
| |
Similar to NL 5011 / X 003 – A 001 |
| |
But with Split Mould Body |
| NL 5011 X / 003 – A 003 |
Proctor Mould (Type B) |
| Body Diameter (Id x H) |
150 x 120 mm with Collar and Base Plate |
| Volume |
Ø 250 mm x 181 mm |
| Approx. Weight |
13 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 003 – A 004 |
Split Modified Proctor Mould (Type B) |
| |
Similar to NL 5011 / X 003 – A 003 |
| |
But with Split Mould Body |
| NL 5011 X / 003 – A 005 |
Proctor Rammer (Type A) |
| Specification |
2.5 kg Fall Height 305 mm |
| Diameter |
Ø 50 mm |
| Dimension |
60 mm x 565 mm |
| Approx. Weight |
6 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 003 – A 006 |
Proctor Rammer (Type B) |
| Specification |
4.5 kg Fall Height 457 mm |
| Diameter |
Ø 50 mm |
| Dimension |
60 mm x 835 mm |
| Approx. Weight |
8 kg |
Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus with ASTM / AASHTO Standard
| NL 5011 X / 002 – A 001 |
Standard Proctor Mould 4” |
| Body Diameter (Id x H) |
Ø 4” x 4, 584” |
| Volume |
944 ml |
| Approx. Weight |
8 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 002 – A 002 |
Split Standard Proctor Mould Similar to |
| |
NL 5011 X / 002 – A 001 But with Split Mould Body |
| Approx. Weight |
8.2 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 002 – A 003 |
Modified Proctor Mould |
| Body Diameter (Id x H) |
Ø 6” x 4, 584” |
| Volume |
2124 ml |
| Approx. Weight |
7.3 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 002 – A 004 |
Split Modified Proctor Mould Similar to |
| |
NL 5011 X / 002 – A 003 But with Split Mould Body |
| Approx. Weight |
7.5 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 002 – A 005 |
Standard Proctor Rammer |
| Specification |
5.5 lb (2,495 kg) Ø 12” (304, 8 mm) Fall. Ø 2’’ |
| Dimension |
Ø 60 mm x 565 mm |
| Approx. Weight |
4 kg |
| NL 5011 X / 002 – A 006 |
Modified Proctor Rammer |
| Specification |
10 lb (4,535 kg) Ø 18” (457, 2 mm) Fall. Ø 2’’ |
| Dimension |
Ø 60 mm x 835 mm |
| Approx. Weight |
7 kg |
