Assignment Title: Soil Test - Atterberg Limits
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1. Introduction
The Atterberg Limits are fundamental tests in soil mechanics used to classify the fine-grained
fraction of soils. These limits define the boundaries between different states of consistency of soil:
liquid, plastic, semi-solid, and solid. Understanding these limits helps engineers determine the
behavior of soil under varying moisture conditions.
2. Objectives
- To determine the Liquid Limit (LL), Plastic Limit (PL), and Shrinkage Limit (SL) of a given soil
sample.
- To calculate the Plasticity Index (PI).
- To classify the soil based on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) or AASHTO system.
3. Apparatus Used
- Casagrande Liquid Limit Device
- Grooving tool
- Glass plate
- Spatula
- Moisture cans
- Oven
- Weighing balance (accurate to 0.01g)
- Sieve No. 40
4. Theory
- Liquid Limit (LL): The moisture content at which the soil changes from a plastic to a liquid state. It
is determined using the Casagrande cup method.
- Plastic Limit (PL): The moisture content at which the soil changes from a semi-solid to a plastic
state. It is determined by rolling soil threads until they crumble at 3 mm diameter.
- Plasticity Index (PI): The numerical difference between the liquid and plastic limits (PI = LL - PL). It
indicates the plasticity characteristics of soil.
- Shrinkage Limit (SL): The moisture content at which further loss of moisture does not cause a
decrease in the volume of the soil.
5. Procedure
Liquid Limit Test:
1. Sieve the soil through a No. 40 sieve.
2. Place a portion in the Casagrande cup and level it.
3. Cut a groove with the grooving tool.
4. Rotate the handle and count the number of blows until the groove closes over a length of 13 mm.
5. Record the moisture content at different blows (25, 20, 15, etc.).
6. Plot the flow curve to determine LL at 25 blows.
Plastic Limit Test:
1. Take a small portion of soil and roll it into threads of 3 mm diameter.
2. If the thread crumbles at 3 mm, determine its moisture content.
3. Repeat and take the average of moisture contents.
Shrinkage Limit Test (Optional):
1. Fill a shrinkage dish with soil at high moisture content.
2. Dry the soil and measure volume change.
3. Calculate SL using volume and weight data.
6. Calculations
Plasticity Index (PI):
PI = LL - PL
Example:
If LL = 45% and PL = 25%, then
PI = 45 - 25 = 20%
7. Results
| Test | Value (%) |
|------------------|-----------|
| Liquid Limit | 45 |
| Plastic Limit | 25 |
| Plasticity Index | 20 |
(Replace with your actual data)
8. Conclusion
The Atterberg Limits test is crucial in determining the consistency and classification of fine-grained
soils. The calculated Plasticity Index helps assess the plasticity and potential behavior of the soil
under construction. A higher PI indicates more plasticity and potential expansion/shrinkage
problems.
9. References
- IS 2720 (Part 5) - Determination of Liquid and Plastic Limit
- Das, B.M. (2010). Principles of Geotechnical Engineering.
- ASTM D4318 - Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
