A clayey soil has been tested in the laboratory in order to investigate the influence of the compaction procedure on the soil retention behaviour. In common engineering practice, data available for modelling are those of the soil compacted in the laboratory and soil behaviour during the earth structures lifecycle is predicted on that basis. This practice, however, seems to overlook the fact that construction procedures in the field might differ significantly from the compaction techniques used in the laboratory and this may induce considerable differences in material texture and therefore in the soil behaviour. The investigation shown in the present work aims to provide further insight into this aspect and to help endorsing or refuting the validity of such practice.