If more than 0.5% of the dry mass is adhering to the oversized fractions during a Standard/Modified Proctor test, what should be done?

In the Standard and Modified Proctor tests, ensuring accurate measurement of soil compaction is crucial for determining the soil's maximum dry density and optimal moisture content. When more than 0.5% of the dry mass is adhering to the oversized fractions, it indicates that these larger particles have a significant mass of material clinging to them, which could skew the results of the test.

Washing the oversized fraction is the proper course of action in this scenario. This process involves removing the adhering finer particles so that only the oversized material is measured in its dry condition. By doing so, you gain an accurate representation of the soil without the interference of additional mass that does not belong to the oversized fractions. Achieving this accuracy is essential because it allows for correct calculations and interpretations of the soil's properties, ultimately leading to more reliable engineering decisions based on the data obtained from the Proctor test.

In contrast, leaving the mass attached would introduce bias into the test results, and simply adding more dry mass could further complicate the calculations. Removing the oversized fractions altogether is typically not advisable as it would directly affect the test’s objective, which is to evaluate the behavior of all soil components, including the oversized particles. Thus, washing the oversized fraction effectively maintains the integrity