1.

0 Objective

To determine the plastic and liquid limit of a soil sample.

2.0 Introduction/theory

In this laboratory activity, we will be exposed to the usage of Atterberg limit tests to
determine the plastic and liquid limit as well as moisture content of a given soil sample. At
the end of the laboratory activity, we would be able to identify the correct apparatus to carry
out Atterberg limit tests. We would also be able to analyse data correctly and present in
typical format. Lastly, we would be able to work in a group to produce technical report. Soil
can be classified according to its moisture content as solid, semisolid, plastic and liquid. Each
state has different engineering properties. The boundary between each state can be defined
based on the change in the soil’s behaviour which can be determine through Atterberg limit
tests.

3.0 Equipment and procedure

3.1 Liquid Limit: Cone Penetration Test

3.1.1 Apparatus

 Cone Penetration apparatus

 0.425 mm sieve
 Glass plate
 2 palettes knife
 Airtight containers
 Wash bottle containing distilled water
 Balance
 Oven

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3.1.2 Procedures

1. 800g of soil sample of sufficient size which passed the 0.425mm test sieve was
weight.
2. The soil was transferred to a flat glass plate. Distilled water was added and were
mixed thoroughly using 2 palettes knifes until the mass became a thick homogeneous
paste.
3. A portion of mixed soil was pushed into the cub carefully so that no air trapped using
palette knife.
4. The excess soil was strike off using the straightedge to smooth out the surface.
5. As the penetration cone locked up, raised position lower the supporting assembly so
that the tip of cone just touched the surface of the soil.
6. The stem of the dial gauge was lowered to contact the cone shaft. The reading of the
dial gauge to the nearest 0.1mm was recorded.
7. The cone was releases a period 5 plus minus 1.
8. The differences between the beginning and the end of drop cone penetration was
recorded.
9. The cone was lifted out and cleaned carefully to avoid scratching.
10. More distilled water was added to the cub. The differences between the first and
second penetration must be less than 0.5mm.
11. A moisture content sample was taken about 10g from the area of penetration by the
cone.
12. Step 2 to 12 was repeated 3 more time.

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3.2 Liquid Limit: Casagrande Test

3.2.1 Apparatus

 Casagrande liquid limit device

 Liquid limit tool
 Spatula
 Moisture cans
 Graduated cylinder 50 ml
 Wash bottle (distilled water)
 Balance
 Glass plate
 Drying oven (150C)
 Porcelain dish

3.2.2 Procedure

1. Roundly 3/4 of the soil is taken and placed it into porcelain dish (passed No. 40
sieve). Thoroughly mix the soil with a small amount of distilled water until it appears
as a smooth uniform paste. The dish is covered with cellophane to prevent moisture
from escaping.
2. 4 empty moisture can with lid is weighted and label.
3. The liquid limit apparatus was adjusted by checking the height of drop of the cup.
The point on the cup that comes in contact with the base should rise to a height of
10mm. The block on the end of the grooving tool is 10mm high and used as a gage.
The correct rate to rotate the crack is determined so that the cup drops approximately
two time per seconds.
4. A portion of the previous mixed soil is placed into cup of the liquid limit apparatus at
the point where the cup rests on the base. The soil is squeeze down to eliminate air
pockets and spread it into the cup to a depth of about 10mm at its deepest point. The
soil pat formed an approximately horizontal surfaced.

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5. The liquid limit tool is used and carefully a clean straight groove was cut down the
centre of the cup. The tool remain perpendicular to the surface of the cup as groove is
be made. Extreme care used to prevent sliding the soil relative to the surface of the
cup.
6. The crack of the apparatus is turned at the rate of approximately two drops per
second and the numbers of drop was count, it takes to make the two halves of the soil
pat comes into contact at the bottom of the groove along a distance of 13mm.
7. The sample is taken by using spatula from edge to edge of the soil pat. The soil is
placed into a moisture can and cover it. The moisture can contain the soil is weighted
immediately and its mass was recorded. The lid was removed and the can is placed in
the oven. The remaining soil is placed into the porcelain dish.
8. The entire soil specimen is remixed in the porcelain dish. A small amount of distilled
water is added to increase the water content so that the number of drop required to
close the groove decrease.
9. Steps six, seven, and eight was repeated to producing successively lower number of
drop to close the groove. The water contents for each trial is determined by using the
same method used in first laboratory.

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3.3 Plastic limit

1. The remaining empty moisture cans with their lids was weighted, and the respective
weights and can numbers was recorded on the data sheet.
2. The remaining ¼ of the original soil is taken and distilled water is added to it until the
soil is at a consistency where it can be rolled without stinking to the hands.
3. The soil was formed into an ellipsoidal mass. The mass was rolled between the palm
or the fingers and the glass plate. Sufficient pressure is used to roll the mass into the
thread of uniform diameter by using about 90 strokes per minute. (A strokes is one
complete motion of hand forward and back to the starting position). The thread
deformed to 3.2mm diameter and taken not more than two minutes.
4. The thread was break into several pieces when the diameter reaches the correct
diameter. That pieces is kneaded and reformed into ellipsoidal masses and re-roll
again. This alternative rolling, gathering together, kneading and re-rolling is
continued until he thread crumbles under the pressure required for rolling and cannot
longer be rolled into 3.2 mm diameter thread.
5. The portions of crumbles thread was gathered together and the soil was placed in the
moisture can, and cover it. Immediately, the moisture can contain the soil was
weighted, its mass is recorded, the lid was removed and placed it into oven. The
moisture can is leaved into the oven at least for 16 hours.
6. Steps three, four and five is repeated at least two more times. The water contain from
the trial was determined by using the same method used in the first laboratory.

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4.0 Result and Analysis

Atterberg Limits Data Sheets

Table 4.1 Casagrande Test (Liquid Limit)

Sample no Unit 1 2 3 4

Moisture can A B C D
number

MC = Mass of g 12.6 12.2 14.4 11.6

empty can

MCMS = Mass of g 23.7 21. 25. 26.5

can + moist soil

MCDS = Mass of g 21.5 19.7 22.9 23.6

can + dry soil

MS = Mass of soil g 8.9 7.5 8.5 12.0

solids

MW = Mass of pore g 2.2 1.9 2.1 2.9

water

W = Water content % 24.75 25.33 24.71 24.17

No. of drops 75 27 23 15

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 Table 4.2 Cone Penetration Test (Liquid Limit)

Sample no Unit 1 2 3 4

Moisture can
number A B C D
MC = Mass of g
empty can 13.10 14.03 14.40 14.60
MCMS = Mass of g
can + moist soil 35.10 47.90 43.40 40.80
MCDS = Mass of g
can + dry soil 30.40 41.30 36.98 34.50
MS = Mass of soil g
solids 17.30 27.0 22.58 19.90
MW = Mass of pore g
water 4.7 6.60 6.42 6.3

W = Water content % 27.16 24.22 28.43 31.66

Penetration (mm) 6.4 10.0 12.2 22.2

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 Table 4.3 Plastic Limit

Sample no Unit 1

Moisture can number

A
MC = Mass of empty can g
31.8
MCMS = Mass of can + moist soil g
56.2
MCDS = Mass of can + dry soil g
52.2
MS = Mass of soil solids g
20.4
MW = Mass of pore water g
4.0
W = Water content %
19.61
No. of drops -

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5.0 Discussion

In this laboratory activity, we can determine the plastic and liquid limit as well as moisture
content of a given soil sample. In the both liquid limit and plastic limit test, we need amount
of soil and mixed it with water, then determine the water content so that graph of no. of blows
(N) versus moisture content on semi-log paper can be obtained. Finally, we have determined
the plastic limit and plastic index. Every soil has its various liquid limit. The liquid limit and
plastic index of soil are important for the soil classification purpose.

There are some errors may occur during the laboratory activities which are when
using and reading the balance for stabilize the data taken. Some others are the groove taken
from the soil may not be closed to the standard limit of liquid or plastic. Beside, bad mixing
of soil with water may cause the soil not completely receive water. Last but not least, the
temperature of the oven can affect the result for the soil.

Plastic Index = Liquid Limit - Plastic Limit

The Plastic Index can be used to determine the activity of the soil,

Activity (soil) = Plastic Index

% of clay

The moisture content can be calculated by using:

Moisture content = Mass (water)

Mass (dry soil)

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6.0 Conclusion

At the end of this experiment, to gain the value of Liquid Limit we were using two methods
which are Casagrande test and Cone Penetration test. The final result of both experiment
should be the same. The value of Plastic Limit gained was 20 whereas for Liquid Limit was
30. Thus, the Plastic Index was 10. From the result, we can classified the soil as SILT of Low
Plasticity (ML) based on the plasticity chart British Classification System. In this experiment,
we can conclude that the experiment was achieved.

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