LimsPulse
Construction materials testing

Proctor Compaction Apparatus

A cylindrical mould and a rammer of fixed mass and drop height used to compact soil at different water contents and find its maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC).

  • Geotechnical testing
  • Road and highway construction
  • Railways and airports
  • Dams and embankments
  • Construction materials testing
Photo of a Proctor Compaction Apparatus
Photo: Zaher.Kadour, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Maintenance checklist

Each use

  • Clean soil from mould, collar and rammer face
  • Check the rammer slides freely in its sleeve

Monthly

  • Check the rammer face for wear or mushrooming
  • Check vent holes in the guide sleeve are clear (air must escape for free fall)

Annual

  • Rammer mass and drop height check
  • Mould volume check (internal diameter and height)
  • Counter and drop check on automatic compactors
SAFETY

Safety precautions

Before you work on the Proctor apparatus
  • Keep fingers clear of the rammer and guide sleeve.
  • Wear gloves and safety shoes; the mould and soil are heavy.
  • Use hearing protection with automatic compactors.
  • Use heat-resistant gloves when handling moisture tins from the oven.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every Proctor apparatus in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how