1.3 Proctor/Fagerberg test procedure
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - IMSBC Code – International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code – Resolution MSC.268(85) - Appendix 2 – Laboratory Test Procedures, Associated Apparatus and Standards - 1 Test procedures for materials which may liquefy and associated apparatus - 1.3 Proctor/Fagerberg test procedure

1.3 Proctor/Fagerberg test procedure

  1.3.1 Scope

  • .1 Test method for both fine and relatively coarse-grained ore concentrates or similar materials up to a top size of 5 mm. This method should not be used for coal or other porous materials.

  • .2 Before the Proctor/Fagerberg test is applied to coarser materials with a top size greater than 5 mm, an extensive investigation for adoption and improvement is required.

  • .3 The transportable moisture limit (TML) of a cargo is taken as equal to the critical moisture content at 70% degree of saturation according to the Proctor/Fagerberg method test.

  1.3.2 Proctor/Fagerberg test equipment

  • .1 The Proctor apparatus (see figure 1.3.2) consists of a cylindrical iron mould with a removable extension piece (the compaction cylinder) and a compaction tool guided by a pipe open at its lower end (the compaction hammer).

  • .2 Scales and weights (see 3.2) and suitable sample containers.

  • .3 A drying oven with a controlled temperature interval from 100oC to maximum 105oC. This oven should be without air circulation.

  • .4 A suitable mixer. Care should be taken to ensure that the use of the mixer does not reduce the particle size or consistency of the test material.

  • .5 Equipment to determine the density of the solid material, for example a pycnometer.

  1.3.3 Temperature and humidity (see 1.1.3)

  1.3.4 Procedure

  • .1 Establishment of a complete compaction curve. A representative sample according to a relevant standard (see 4.7, page 20) of the test material is dried at a temperature of approximately 100oC. The total quantity of the test material should be at least three times as big as required for the complete test sequence. Compaction tests are executed for 5 to 10 different moisture contents (5 to 10 separate tests). The samples are adjusted in order that dry to almost saturated (plastic) samples are obtained. The required quantity per compaction test is about 2,000 cm3.

  • At each compaction test a suitable amount of water is added to the sample of the dried test material and mixed thoroughly for 5 min. Approximately one fifth of the mixed sample is filled into the mould and levelled and then the increment is tamped uniformly over the surface of the increment. Tamping is executed by dropping the hammer 25 times through the guide pipe, 0.2 m each time. The performance is repeated for all five layers. When the last layer has been tamped the extension piece is removed and the sample is levelled off along the brim of the mould. When the weight of the cylinder with the tamped, sample has been determined, the cylinder is emptied, the sample is dried and the weight is determined.

  • The test then is repeated for the other samples with different moisture contents.

  • .2 Definitions and data for calculations (see figure 1.3.4.2)

    • – empty cylinder, mass in grams: A

    • – cylinder with tamped sample, mass in grams: B

    • – wet sample, mass in grams: C
      C = B – A

    • – dry sample, mass in grams: D

    • – water, mass in grams (equivalent to volume in cm3): E
      E = C – D
      Volume of cylinder: 1,000 cm3

  • .3 Calculation of main characteristics

    • – density of solid material, g/cm3 (t/m3): d

    • – dry bulk density, g/cm3 (t/m3): γ

    • – net water content, volume %: ev

    • – void ratio: e (volume of voids divided by volume of solids)

    • – degree of saturation, percentage by volume: S

    • – gross water content, percentage by mass: W1

    • – net water content, percentage by mass: W

  • .4 Presentation of the compaction tests

  • For each compaction test the calculated void ratio (e) value is plotted as the ordinate in a diagram with net water content (ev) and degree of saturation (S) as the respective abscissa parameters.

  • .5 Compaction curve

  • The test sequence results in a specific compaction curve (see figure 1.3.4.5).

  • The critical moisture content is indicated by the intersection of the compaction curve and the line S = 70% degree of saturation. The transportable moisture limit (TML) is the critical moisture content.

Parent topic: 1 Test procedures for materials which may liquefy and associated apparatus
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