GEOTECHNICAL & SOILS LABORATORY
ATTERBERG LIMIT TEST : LIQUID LIMIT & PLASTIC LIMIT
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Civil Engineering [DDPA 3052] Experiment : Atterberg Limit Test
ATTERBERG LIMIT TEST
Introduction
Atterberg limits are the water contents at which the consistency changes from one state to the next as the
moisture content affect the behaviour of a soil.
a) Liquid Limit (LL) - the moisture content in the soil when it stops acting as a liquid and starts acting as a
plastic solid.
b) Plastic Limit (PL) - the moisture content of the soil limit between plastic and brittle failure.
Objective
Determine the Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, Plastic Index and Shrinkage Limit of the soil sample.
Definitions
Maximum Size (of aggregate) – in specifications for, or description of aggregate, the smallest sieve opening
through which the entire amount of aggregate is required to pass.
Nominal Maximum Size (of aggregate) – in specifications for, or description of aggregate, the smallest sieve
opening through which the entire amount of aggregate is permitted to pass.
Theory
Sieve analysis is believed to be the oldest geotechnical engineering laboratory undertaken to classify the soil
based on its grains. The soil classification will be able to determine the characteristics of soil when load is
applied, the range of grain sizes in soil mass, the shape of grain in soil layers and the structure stability of the
soil.
Equipments
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Grooving tool
Mixing dishes
Spatula
Oven
Recommended Plastic Limit device
Procedures for Liquid Limit Test (Penetrometer Method)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Sieve 200 g of dry soil using sieve with 425 openings
Mix dry soil with water similar to LL test of cone penetrometer using the spatula
Compact the soil sample in the mould
Place the penetrometer cone at the centre of the soil sample placed in the mould
Press the button of penetrometer cone in 6 seconds and relock its new position
Read the dial gauge for the first soil sample
Determine the moisture content of the soil sample
Repeat the procedures to obtain 4 different dial gauge readings. The readings must be between 16 mm and
25 mm
Civil Engineering [DDPA 3052] Experiment : Atterberg Limit Test
Table
No Test
Initial dial gauge reading
Final dial gauge reading
Final penetration
Can no.
Mass of empty can (g)
Mass of can + wet soil (g)
Mass of can + dry soil (g)
Mass of water (Mw) (g)
Mass of dry soil (Ms) (g)
Moisture content (%) (Mw / Ms x 100 %)
1
2
3
4
Calculation
a) Calculate percentages passing and total percentages retained to the nearest 0.1% of the initial dry weight of
the sample.
b) Calculate the percentage of fineness as follows :
1. Fine aggregate :
F.M. = { (Cumulative % retained on # 4, 8, 16, 30, 50, and 100 Sieves) – 100}
2. Coarse aggregate :
F.M. = { (Cumulative % retained on 1-1/2”, ¾”, 3/8”, Nos. 4, 8, 16, 30, 50, and 100 Sieves) / 100}.
Result
Liquid Limit : _________ %
Procedures for Plastic Limit Test
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Take approximately 20 g of dry soil and mix some amount of water from the plastic squeeze bottle.
Determine the weight of empty moisture can, (W1)
Prepare several small, ellipsoidal – shaped masses of soil and place them in the plastic limit device.
Place two fresh sheets of filter papers on either faces of the plates.
Roll the upper half of the device which has a calibrated opening of 3.18 mm with the lower half plate.
If the soil crumbles forming a thread of about the size of the opening between the plates (~3 mm diameter),
collect the crumbled sample, weigh it in the moisture can (W2) for water content determination. Otherwise
repeat the test with the same soil but drying it by rolling between your palms.
g) Determine the weight of the dry soil + moisture can, (W3)
h) The water content obtained is the plastic limit.
Table
No Test
Can no.
Mass of empty can (g)
Mass of can + wet soil (g)
Mass of can + dry soil (g)
Mass of water (Mw) (g)
Mass of dry soil (Ms) (g)
Moisture content (%) (Mw / Ms x 100 %)
Plasticity Index, PI = LL-PL
1
2
3
4
Results
Plastic Limit :_________%
Plastic Index :_________%
Civil Engineering [DDPA 3052] Experiment : Atterberg Limit Test