Can the density of soil exceed 100% of Maximum Dry Density reported in the Proctor Test?

The correct answer is that the density of soil cannot exceed 100% of Maximum Dry Density reported in the Proctor Test. This maximum value represents the optimal density achieved under specified laboratory conditions with a known compaction effort. It is an established benchmark determined through standardized testing methods that aim to compact soil at varying moisture contents.

In practical terms, exceeding this maximum dry density would imply that the soil has been compacted beyond the capacity allowed by its properties, which is not feasible under normal circumstances. The Proctor Test accounts for both the moisture content and the compaction method, establishing a limit to the effective density that is achievable in the field.

Therefore, claiming that density could exceed this benchmark by applying greater compactive effort does not hold in standard practices, as the relationship established in the Proctor test is specific to the conditions and methodologies utilized in that test. Thus, any density measurement beyond this maximum would not be valid or applicable to soil behavior in real-world scenarios.