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Introduction/Background/Theory
In construction of highway embankments, earth dams and many other engineering structures, loose soils must be compacted to improve their strength by increasing their unit weight. Compaction is densification of soil by removing air voids using mechanical equipment. The degree of compaction is measured in terms of its dry unit weight. The reasons for soil compaction are to minimize settlement after construction, increase shear strength and bearing capacity and to reduce permeability. Proctor test is another form of compaction test, there are two types of proctor test Standard Proctor Compaction Test and the modified proctor test. Both tests are Twenty-five blows of a 2.5 kg hammer, falling freely 30 cm & 45 cm respectively on each of 3 equal thickness layers of soil placed in a 102 mm diameter, 0.943 L steel cylinder. The energy applied to the compacted soil contained within the mold is 594 & 2690 (≈600) kN⋅m/m3, respectively. Purpose of the standard proctor test is to find the optimum moisture content at which the maximum dry unit weight is attained. & the modified Proctor test was developed to simulate larger compaction effort for more serious loads and bigger equipment

Objective:
To determine the optimum water content and the corresponding maximum dry density (unit weight) of a compacted soil. Also show the Relationship between the moisture content and density of soil.
Apparatus:
Compaction Equipment
• mold with removable collar
• hammer (standard or modified)
General
• splitter
• mixing pan
• No. 4 sieve
• rubber-tipped pestle
• scoop
• straight edge
• graduated cylinder
• drying tins
• small brush
• rubber gloves

Test Procedure:
Initially the soil is mixed in to a desired water content. After a portion of the soil is placed in the mould and compacted by hammer...