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Lab Atterberg Limit

1) The document describes laboratory tests conducted to determine the Atterberg limits of a soil sample, which characterize the soil's consistency at different water content levels. 2) Tests were performed to find the plastic limit and liquid limit of the soil using standard procedures. The plastic limit is the water content at which the soil crumbles when rolled into threads, while the liquid limit is the water content at the transition from plastic to liquid state. 3) Based on the results, the soil was found to have a plastic limit of 12.45%, liquid limit of 21%, and plasticity index of 8.55. Using a classification chart, the soil was determined to be a low plasticity clay.

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1K views7 pages

Lab Atterberg Limit

1) The document describes laboratory tests conducted to determine the Atterberg limits of a soil sample, which characterize the soil's consistency at different water content levels. 2) Tests were performed to find the plastic limit and liquid limit of the soil using standard procedures. The plastic limit is the water content at which the soil crumbles when rolled into threads, while the liquid limit is the water content at the transition from plastic to liquid state. 3) Based on the results, the soil was found to have a plastic limit of 12.45%, liquid limit of 21%, and plasticity index of 8.55. Using a classification chart, the soil was determined to be a low plasticity clay.

Uploaded by

Anip Esan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lab 1.

4: ATTERBERG LIMIT TESTS IN COHESIVE SOIL


LEVEL: 0
INTRODUCTION
The physical state of a fine-grained soil at particular water content is known as consistency.
Consistency or plasticity refers to the relative ease at which a soil can be deformed via rolling &
molding without breaking apart. Depending on its water content, a soil may exist in liquid,
plastic, semi-solid or solid state. A Swedish agriculturist, Atterberg (1911) set arbitrary limits for
these divisions in terms of water content. Liquid limit is defined as the water content at which
soil, cut by a groove of standard dimensions, will flow together for a distance of 12.7 mm ( in)
under an impact of 25 blows in a standard liquid limit device (ASTM D 4318-98, 2000). Plastic
limit is defined as the water content at which a silt or slay will just begin to crumble when rolled
into a thread approximately 3.2 mm (1/8 in) in diameter (ASTMD 4318-98, 2000). Shrinkage
limit is defined as the water content at which any further reduction in water content will not result
in a decrease.
OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the water content corresponding to the behavior change between the
liquid and the plastic state of a silt or clay.
2. To determine the water content corresponding to the behavior change between the
plastic and the semi-solid state of a silt or clay.
THEORITICAL BACKGROUND
Plastic limit is defined as the moisture content, in percent, at which the soil crumbles, when
rolled into threads of 3mm in diameter.
Liquid limit is the moisture content at the point of transition from plastic to the liquid state.

WAYS AND MEANS

APPARATUS
-

Test sieves size of 425m and 2mm & a receiver


Wash bottle with distilled water
Sharp knife
Palettes Knife
Airtight container
Glass plates
Set of containers
Weight balance
Cone penetrometer apparatus
Brass cup

METHODS AND PROCEDURES


-

Cone Penetration Test(Liquid Limit Tests)


1. 200g of soil sample of sufficient size was taken as the test specimen at which the
sample have passed the 425m test sieve.
2. The soil is then transferred onto the glass plate and distilled water was added to
the soil and then mixed thoroughly with palette knives until the mix became a
thick homogeneous paste.
3. A portion of the soil is then put inside the brass cup with palette knife and the cup
is shaken to ensure less entrapped air inside the cup.
4. Excess soil on top of the cup was removed by using the knife to give a smooth
level surface on the soil.
5. The penetration cone apparatus is then lowered until the tip of the cone just
barely touching the surface of the soil.
6. The stem of the dial gauge is then lowered to contact the cone shaft and
adjusted to 0mm.
7. By using an electronic release and locking device, the cone is then released for a
period of 5 seconds 1 second.
8. The first penetration must be ensured to be 15 mm before the next step in tests
begin. When the penetration is not 15mm at first, more distilled water was added
into the mix and then the test is repeated.
9. When the first penetration is 15mm, the reading of the dial gauge is recorded and
the soil sample from around the penetration zone is taken for moisture content
determination.
10. The cone is then lifted out and cleaned carefully to avoid scratching.
11. The soil sample inside the cup was then taken out and once again step No 2-7 is
then repeated and the difference of more than 0.5mm and then step 9 is
repeated for each sample.
12. At least 5 samples have been taken from the tests.

Plastic Limit Tests


1. A sample of about 20g is taken from the soil paste and placed on the mixing
plate.
2. The soil was then let dry partially on the plate until it becomes plastic enough to
be shaped into a ball.
3. The ball was molded between the fingers and rolled between the palms of the
hands and the heat of the hands dry the soil sufficiently enough for the slight
4.

cracks to appear on its surface.


The sample is then divided into 2 sub sample of about 10g each and separate

determination on each portion is then carried out.


5. The sub-sample is then divided into four more or less equal parts.
6. The soil is then molded in the finger to equalize the moisture distribution and then
the soil is rolled until the diameter of the soil is about 6mm.
7. The rolling continues to about 3mm diameter to dry it further and then the crack
occurred is observed and the crack is considered plastic limit.
8. The sample is then placed into the container and then the moisture content was
determined.

PLASTIC LIMIT DETERMINATION

RESULTS, ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION


Container No
Mass of
Container(g)
Mass of container +
wet soil (g)
Mass of container
+dry soil (g)
Mass of water (g)
Mass of dry soil (g)

M1

21.09

14.40

M2

32.30

25.04

M3

31.18

23.75

1.12

1.29

10.09

9.35

11.10

13.80

Mw=
M2-M3
MS=

Moisture Content

M3-M1
w=

(%)

Mw/Ms

X 100
Average Moisture
Content (%)

PLASTIC LIMIT DETERMINATION

Container No
Cone Penetration
(mm)
Mass of Container
(g)
Mass of container +
wet soil (g)
Mass of container
+dry soil (g)
Mass of water (g)
Mass of dry soil (g)
Moisture Content
(%)

PL

12.45

15.10

18.70

20.30

24.50

28.10

M1

23.16

16.15

12.23

22.31

14.13

M2

34.42

27.26

25.87

36.77

26.51

M3

33.15

25.61

23.49

33.9

23.86

1.27

1.65

2.38

2.87

2.65

9.99

9.46

11.26

11.59

9.73

12.71

17.44

21.14

24.20

27.24

Average
of 3 test

Mw=
M2-M3
MS=
M3-M1
w=
Mw/Ms
X 100

PENETRATION CURVE
PLASTIC LIMIT,
PL (%)
SOIL
CLASSIFICATION

12.45

PLASTICITY

LIQUID
LIMIT, LL (%)

21.00

Low Plasticity Soil

INDEX,
Pl=LL-PL (%)

8.55

ANALYSIS
Lab Tests
1. During the laboratory tests for the soil samples, numerous precaution steps must be
taken to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. For an example, the soil
sample to be used in the tests must be free of other debris and pass the 0.425mm sieve.
This initial step is crucial to ensure the sample is reliable and would not cause any
problems during the mixing process or any process after.
2. During data recording and observation, ensuring the accuracy of the reading is a must.
An example can be made from the reading of the weight balance. The device must be
set to total 0 before putting any sample onto it. The soil must be dried fully before being
used in the lab tests. Besides that, the one who conduct the test must wear gloves when
handling the samples because maybe sweat and moisture from our hands can penetrate
into the soil.
Results and Observation
1. From the tests, the resulting calculation shows that the soil is of low plasticity clay type
of soil according to British Soil Classification System.
2. The classification above is analyzed from the plasticity chart. The chart is given below.

3. From the data acquisition of the lab tests, it shows that

PLASTIC LIMIT = 12.45%


LIQUID LIMIT = 21.00%
PLASTICITY INDEX= 8.55
Plotting the data on both graphs, it enables us to get all the needed information to
classify the soils.
4. There is one more test that can be used to find the liquid limit of the soil, which is
Casagrande Test, and the method are completely different but yields almost the same
results. During our lab session, only the cone penetration test are done to save our time
but brief explanation is given to us so we get the general idea of how to do the other type
of test.
CONCLUSION
From the tests, we conclude that the soil sample is of Low Plasticity Clay type and the
Plastic limit is 12.45%, Liquid Limit is 21% and the plasticity index is 8.55.

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