Proctor test according to DIN 18127

Status: 10.12.2024

The Proctor test is used to determine the water content at which the soil can be optimally compacted with the same compaction energy. The corresponding parameters are the Proctor density and the optimal water content.

The test is used to estimate the density that can be achieved on construction sites and the optimal water content for installation, as well as to assess the density of the soil in the subsoil and to check the compaction work that has been carried out.

To determine the optimal water content using the Proctor test, the soil is filled into a container and compacted with a defined energy using a falling weight. The dry densities achieved are plotted as a Proctor curve depending on the water content, and the maximum density and the optimal water content are determined from this.