SOIL MECHANICS LIQUID LIMIT TEST

MOISTURE CONTENT (%) CONE PENETRATION (mm)

PROBLEM #1: 42.5 16.0
Following are the results of a sieve analysis for a 729-gram sample. Make 47.5 17.5
the necessary calculations and draw a particle-size distribution curve 58.1 22.8
60.0 26.0
Sieve Mass ANS: a. Determine the liquid limit of the soil = 52%
No. Retained
b. Determine the plasticity index of the soil = 31%
(g) PERCENT FINER c. If the water content of the soil is 38%, determine the liquidity index = 0.55
4 0 %
10 40 100 PROBLEM #6
20 60 94.51 The following data shows the result of Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit test.
40 89 86.28 1.) LIQUID LIMIT:
60 140 74.07 TEST NO. 1 2 3 4
80 122 54.87 No. of Blows 35 21 16 11
100 210 38.13 Wt. of wet soil + container (g) 22.46 21.33 21.29 26.12
200 56 9.33 Wt. of dry soil + container (g) 19.44 18.75 18.78 22.10
PAN 12 1.65 Wt. of container (g) 12.76 13.06 13.26 13.27
0.00
2.) PLASTIC LIMIT
PROBLEM #2
TEST NO. 1 2
From the particle-size distribution curve, determine:
Wt. of wet soil + container (g) 22.10 21.77
a. the particle sizes corresponding to 10%, 30%, and 60% finer.
Wt. of dry soil + container (g) 20.42 20.19
b. the uniformity coefficient
c. the coefficient of gradation Wt. of container (g) 13.07 13.18
OPENNING PERCENT ANS:
(mm) FINER 3.) NATURAL WATER CONTENT
(%) D10 = 0.15mm TEST NO. 1 2
4.75 100 D30= 0.17mm Wt. of wet soil + container (g) 17.94 17.39
2 94.51 D60 = 0.27 mm Wt. of dry soil + container (g) 14.84 14.36
CU = 1.93 Wt. of container (g) 7.84 7.5
0.425 86.28
CC = 0.66 a. Compute the liquid limit = 45.30%
0.25 74.07
0.18 54.87 b. Compute the plastic limit = 22.7%
c. Compute the liquidity index = 0.952
0.15 38.13
0.075 9.33
PROBLEM #7
- 0.00
In a specific gravity test the following data were recorded.
Mass of pycnometer jar = 530g
PROBLEM #3 Mass of pycnometer jar when full of clean water = 1560g
The following are the result of sieve analysis. Mass of pycnometer containing soil only = 980g
a. Determine the percent finer of each sieve. Mass of pycnometer jar containing soi and topped with water = 1840g
b. Determine D10, D30, and D60 from the grain-size distribution curve. a. Compute the specific gravity of the soil particles = 2.65
c. Calculate the uniformity coefficient,Cu. b. Compute the dry unit weight if the void ratio is 0.40 = 19 kN/m3
d. Calculate the coefficient of gradation,Cc c. Compute the degree of saturation if the moisture content is 12% = 80%
SIEVE Mass
NO. Retained ANS: ANS: PROBLEM #8
(g) A saturated soil has the following characteristics.
PERCENT FINER D10 = 0.09mm
4 0 Initial volume = 25 cm3
% D30= 0.185mm
10 21.6 Final volume = 16 cm3
100 D60 = 0.41 mm
20 49.5 Mass of wet soil = 45 g
95.2 CU = 4.56
40 102.6 Mass of dry soil = 31 kg
84.2 CC = 0.93 a. Determine the shrinkage limit of the soil =16.13%
60 89.1
61.4 b. Determine the shrinkage ratio. = 1.9375
100 95.6
41.6 c. Determine the sp. gr. of soil. = 2.82
200 60.4
20.4
PAN 31.2
6.9 PROBLEM #9
0 A saturated 100 cm3 clay sample has a natural water content of 30%. It is
found that the shrinkage limit occurs when the water content is 19%. If the
PROBLEM #4 Gs= 2.70
The following are the result from the Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit test for a a.Compute the shrinkage ratio. = 1.78
soil. b. Compute the volume of sample when water content is 15%. = 83.61 cm3
a. Compute the Liquid Limit c. Compute the mass of dry soil sample. = 148.83 g
b. What is the plasticity index of the soil
c. what is the liquidity index if the water content is 24% PROBLEM #10
d. what is the consistency index A laboratory test was conducted to determine the shrinkage limit of soil
NO. OF BLOWS MOISTURE CONTENT ANS: sample. The following data were obtained.
(N) (%) Mass of dish coated with petroleum jelly Mt =11.30 g
LL = 39.7% Mass of dish coated with petroleum jelly plus wet soil Mw = 38.51 g
15 42 PI = 21% Mass of dish coated with petroleum jelly plus oven dried soil Md = 32.81 g
20 40.8 LI = 0.25 Volume of wet soil pat (same as volume of shrinkage dish) V=15.26 cm 3
28 39.1 CI = 0.81 Volume of oven dried soil pat Vd = 12.83 cm3
The plasticity limit is 18.7% a.Compute the water content of the wet soil pat. = 26.5%
b. Compute the shrinkage limit. = 15.2%
PROBLEM #5 c. Compute the shrinkage ratio. = 1.68
In a liquid limit, using a cone penetrometer, the following reading were
recorded and tabulated as shown. PROBLEM #10
PLASTIC LIMIT TEST For a soil with D60=0.42 mm, D30=0.21 mm, and D10=0.16 mm, calculate
TRIAL 𝛾𝑊𝐸𝑇 (kN/m) 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 (kN/m) the uniformity coefficient and the coefficient of gradation.
1 128.6 105.4 Cu = 2.63, Cc = 0.66
2 141.4 116.8
3 132.6 109.6
4 134.5 111.2
5 136.0 113.4
PROBLE #11 ANS: PROBLEM #15
The following are the results of a sieve analysis: The laboratory test results of a Standard Proctor Test are given in the
SIEVE NO. MASS OF SOIL RETAINED PERCENT FINER following table.
(g) % WEIGHT OF MOIST WATER CONTENT
4 28 95.46 SOIL (N) %
10 42 88.65 16.81 10
20 48 80.88 17.84 12
40 128 60.13 18.41 14
60 221 24.31 18.33 16
100 86 10.37 17.84 18
200 40 3.89 17.35 20
PAN 24 0 a. Determine the maximum dry unit weight of compaction. = 17.1109 kN/m3
a. Determine the percent finer than each sieve. b. Determine the optimum moisture content. = 13.7766%
b. Determine D10, D30, and D60 from the grain-size distribution curve. = c. Determine the zero-air-void dry unit weight at the optimum moisture
D10=0.16mm, D30=0.29mm, D60=0.45mm content. 19.2014 kN/m3
c. Calculate the uniformity coefficient,Cu. = 2.81 d. Determine the moisture content to achieve 95% degree of compaction. =
d. Calculate the coefficient of gradation,Cc. = 1.17 17.1494 kN/m3

PROBLEM #12 PROBLEM #16

The grain-size characteristics of a soil are given in the following table. A field compacted of sandy loam was found to have a wet density of 2181
OPENNING PERCENT FINER kg/m3 at a water content of 10%. The maximum dry density of the soil
mm % obtained in a Standard Proctor Test was 2000 kg/m3. Assume the specific
0.425 100 gravity of solids to be 2.65. Compute the following:
0.1 92 a. Dry unit weight
0.052 84 b. Dry unit weight at zero air voids
0.02 62 c. Degree of saturation
0.01 46 d. Porosity
0.004 32 e. Percent compaction in the field
0.001 22
PROBLEM #17
a. Determine the percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay according to the 1 1
MIT system. a.Show the saturated moisture content is: 𝜔𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 𝛾𝑤 ( , − )
𝛾𝐷 𝛾𝑠
b. Repeat Part a using the USDA system. b. A geotechnical laboratory reported these results of five samples taken
c. Repeat Part a using the AASHTO system. from a single boring. Determine which are not correctly reported, if any, show
ANS: your work.
ANS: ANS:
Sample #1:w=30%,γd=14.9 kN/m3,γs=27 kN/m3 ,clay
a. GRAVEL= 0% b. GRAVEL= 0% c. GRAVEL= 0%
Sample #2:w=20%,γd=18 kN/m3,γs=27 kN/m3 ,silt
SAND = 16% SAND = 17% SAND = 12%
SILT= 57% Sample #3:w=10%,γd=16 kN/m3,γs=26 kN/m3 ,sand
SILT= 56% SILT= 61%
Sample #4:w=22%,γd=17.3 kN/m3,γs=28 kN/m3 ,silt
CLAY= 27% CLAY= 27% CLAY= 27%
Sample #5:w=22%,γd=18 kN/m3,γs=27 kN/m3 ,silt
ANS:
PROBLEM #13 SAMPLE #1 – NOT CORRECTLY REPORTED
Repeat problem #12 with the following data: SAMPLE #2 – NOT CORRECTLY REPORTED
OPENNING PERCENT FINER SAMPLE #3 – CORRECTLY REPORTED
mm % SAMPLE #4 – NOT CORRECTLY REPORTED
0.425 100 SAMPLE #5 – NOT CORRECTLY REPORTED
0.1 79
0.04 57 PROBLEM #18
0.02 48 If a soil sample has a dry unit weight of 19.5 KN/m3, moisture content of 8%
0.01 40 and a specific gravity of solids particles is 2.67. Calculate the following:
0.002 35 a) The void ratio. =0.343
0.001 33 b) Moisture and saturated unit weight. = 21.06 KN/m3, 22 KN/m3
c) The mass of water to be added to cubic meter of soil to reach 80%
saturation. = 44.85 Kg/m3
ANS: ANS: ANS: d) The volume of solids particles when the mass of water is 25 grams for
a. GRAVEL= 0% b. GRAVEL= 0% c. GRAVEL= 0% saturation. =72.84 cm3
SAND = 33% SAND = 38% SAND = 28%
SILT= 32% SILT= 27% SILT= 37% PROBLEM #19
CLAY= 35% CLAY= 35% CLAY= 35% A soil sample has avoid ratio of 0.72, moisture content = 12% and Gs = 2.72
determine the following:
PROBLEM #14 a) Dry unit weight, moist unit weight (KN/m3). = 15.51 KN/m3, 17.374 KN/m3
The laboratory test results of a Standard Proctor Test are given in the b) Weight of water in KN/m3 to be added for 80% degree of saturation.
following table: =1.428 KN/m3
WEIGHT OF MOIST WATER CONTENT c) Is it possible to reach a water content of 30% without change the present
SOIL (Kn) % void ratio. NOT POSSIBLE (PROVE)
0.0162 10 d) Is it possible to compact the soil sample to a dry unit weight of 23.5
KN/m3. NOT POSSIBLE (PROVE)
0.0172 12
0.0179 14
PROBLEM #20
0.0177 16
An undisturbed sample of clayey soil is found to have a wet weight of 285 N,
0.0173 18 a dry weight of 250 N, and a total volume of 14x103 cm3 if the specific
0.0166 20 gravity of soil solids is 2.70, determine the:
a. Determine the maximum dry unit weight of compaction.=16.6348 Kn/m3 a. water content, = 14%
b. Determine the void ratio of the optimum moisture content if Gs = 2.68. b. void ratio, = 0.483
= 0.5805 c. and the degree of saturation. = 78.12%
c. Determine the optimum moisture content. = 13.8768%
d. Determine the degree of saturation at the optimum moisture content. =
64.07%
PROBLEM #21 PROBLEM #27
The results of a standard proctor test for a soil having a value of (𝐆𝐬 = 𝟐.𝟓) A specimen of soil was immersed in mercury. The mercury which came out
are shown in the table below. was collected and its weight was 290gm. The sample was oven dreid and it’s
WATER 6.2 8.1 9.8 11.5 12.3 13.2 weight became 30.2gm. if the specific gravity was 2.7 and weight of soil in
CONTENT natural state was 34.6gm. Determine:
(%) a. The void ratio, and porosity. =0.906, 0.475
UNIT 16.9 18.7 19.5 20.5 20.4 20.1 b. Water content of the original sample. 14.57%
WEIGHT c. Degree of saturation of the original sample. 43.42%
(Kn/m3) Hint: the dnsity of mercury is 13.6 gm/cm3
Archimedes Law: The volume of specimen equal the volume of liquid came out.

FIND: PROBLEM #28

a. The optimum water content. = 11.5% The in-situ(field) moisture content of a soil is 18% and its moisture unit
b. The maximum dry unit weight. = 18.4 kN/m3 weight is 105 pcf (Ib/ft3). The specific gravity of soil solids is 2.75. This soil is
c. The void ratio = 0.334 to be excavated and transported to a construction site, and then compacted
d. Degree of saturation = 86% to a minimum dry weight of 103.5 pcf at a moisture content of 20 %.
e. Moisture unit weight = 20.5 kN/m3 a. How many cubic yards of excavated soil are needed to produce 10,000
f. Find the weight of water need to be added to 1m3 to reach 100% degree of yd3 of compacted fill? = 11630.87 yd3
saturation. = 0.36 KN/m3 b. How many truckloads are needed to transport the excavated soil if each
truck can carry 20 tons? = 824.9 TRUCKS
PROBLEM #22 [ Hint: 1ton = 2000Ib , 1yd3=27ft3 , γw=62.4pcf ] (I advise you to remember these units)
A sample of saturated clay was placed in a container and weighed. The
weight was 6N. The clay in its container was placed in an oven dray for 24 PROBLEM #29
hours @ 105℃. The weight reduced to a constant weight of 5N. The weight An embankment for a highway 30 m wide and 1.5 m thick is to be
of the container is 1N. If Gs=2.7, determine: constructed from sandy soil, trucked in from a borrow pit. The water content
a. Water content. = 25% of the sandy soil in the borrow pit is 15% and its void ratio is 0.69.
b. Void ratio. = 0.675 Specifications require the embankment to compact to a dry weight of 18
c. Moist unit weight. = 19.76 KN/m3 KN/m3. Determine- for 1 km length of embankment-the following:
d. Dry unit weight. = 15.8 KN/m3 a) The dry unit weight of sandy soil from the borrow pit to construct the
e. Effective unit weight (Submerged unit weight). = 9.95 KN/m3 embankment, if Gs=2.7. =15.67 KN/m3
b) The number of 10 m3 truckloads of sandy soil required to construct the
PROBLEM #23 embankment. = 5168.2 truck
A dry sand is placed in a container having a volume of 0.3 ft3. The dry weight c) The weight of water per truck load of sandy soil. = 23.5 KN
of the sample is 31 Ib. Water is carefully added to the container so as not to d) The degree of saturation of the in-situ sandy soil. = 58.7%
disturb the condition of the sand. When the container is filled, the combined
weight of soil plus water is 38.2 Ib. From these data, compute PROBLEM #30
a. the void ratio of soil in the container, = 0.624 An embankment with a total volume of 20000m3 is to be constructed as part
b. and the specific gravity of the soil particles. = 2.69 of a highway project. The soil is to be used is the embankment will come
from borrow pit where the average moist unit weight and water content of the
PROBLEM #24 soil is 17.6 kN/m3 and 12% respectively. Assuming that the soil will be
The moist densiteis and degree of saturation of a soil sample are given in the compacted to a dry density of 18.2 kN/m3 at a moisture content of 16%,
following table: compute
SOIL DENSITY (Kg/m3) DEGREE OD SATURATION (%) a. The weight of dry soil required = 364000kN
1690 45 b. The volume of borrow required = 23163.6153 m3
1808 75 c. The total quantity of water in liters that must be added to the fill during
COMPUTE compaction to bring about the desired final moisture content of 16%. =
a. Void ratio = 0.648 1484265.9 L
b. Specific gravity of the soil = 2.49
c. weight of water in Kg, that will be in 7 m3 of the soil when it saturated. = PROBLEM #31
2751.45 Kg/m3 The moist unit weight of a soil is 19.2 kN/m3. Given that Gs determine
a. Void ratio = 0.51
PROBLEM #25 b. Dry unit weight = 17.48 kN/m3
The total volume of a soil soecimen is 80,000 mm3 and it weighs 150 grams. c. Degree of saturation = 51.7%
The dry weight of the specimen is 130 grams and the density of the soil
solids is 2680 Kg/m3. Find the following: PROBLEM #32
a) The water content. = 15.38% Refer to Problem #31 Determine the weight of water, in kN, to be added per
b) Void Ratio. = 0.649 cubic meter (m3) of soil for
c) Porosity. 0.394 a. 90% degree of saturation = 1.26kN/m3
d) Degree of saturation. = 63.51% b. 100% degree of saturation = 1.59kN/m3
e) Saturated unit weight. 19.8Kn/m3
f) Dry unit weight. = 15.94 19.8Kn/m3 PROBLEM #33
When the moisture content of a soil is 26%, the degree of saturation is 72%,
PROBLEM #26 and the moist unit weight is 16.98 kN/m3. Determine:
A sample of moist soil was found to have the following characteristics: a. Specific gravity of soil solids = 2.73
Volume: 0.01456 m3 (as sampled) b. Void ratio = 0.99
Mass: 25.74 Kg (as sampled) c. Saturated unit weight = 18.43 Kn/m3
22.10 Kg (after oven drying)
Gs=2.69 PROBLEM #34
a. density, = 1767.56 Kg/m3 The degree of saturation of a soil is 55% and the moist unit weight is 16.66
b. dry unit weight, = 1517.86 Kg/m3 kN/m3. When the moist unit weight increased to 17.92 kN/m3, the degree of
c. void ratio, = 0.772 saturation increased to 82.2%. Determine:
d. porosity, = 0.436 a. Gs = 2.73
e. degree of saturation for the soil. = 57.3% b. Void ratio = 0.8947
f. What would be the moist unit weight when the degree of saturation is
80%? = 18.3 KN/m3 PROBLEM #35
For a given sandy soil the maximum and minimum void ratios are 0.72 and
PROBLEM #26 0.46, respectively. If Gs 2.68 and w 11%, what is the moist unit weight of
Soil has been compacted in an embankment at a bulk unit weight of 2.15 compaction (kN/m3) in the field if Dr 82%? = 19.3674 Kn/m3
t/m3 and water content of 12%, the solid particles of soil having specific
gravity of 2.65. PROBLEM #36
a. Calculate the dry unit weight, degree of saturation, and air content.
=18.83 KN/m3, 83.7%, 4.57%
b. Would it possible to compact the above soil at a water content of 13.5% to
a dry unit weight of 2 t/m3. = Not possible (PROVE)