If the taps were out of range to remedy this we added more water to the soil sample.

For the liquid limit, mass of water (%) Test number Mass of wet soil(g) Mass of dry soil(g) Mass of water(g) Mass of water(%) 1 2,88 2,16 0,72 33,33 2 2,57 2,01 0,56 27,9 3 1,68 1,32 0,36 27,3

35

30

(%) water 25

20

5 10 Taps

15

20

25

30

35

The liquid limit is then read from the graph at 25 taps (%) water at 25 taps = liquid limit = LL = 26(%) The importance of the liquid limit test is to classify soils. Different soils have varying liquid limits. Also to find the plasticity index of a soil you need to know the liquid limit and the plastic limit.

Plastic limit
It is used to determine the moisture content of soil. Procedure( hand rolling method) From the soil ample take 2grams or 3grams. Roll the test specimen between the palm and fingers on the ground glass plate to from a thread of uniform diameter. Continue rolling the thread until it reaches a uniform diameter of 3mm. Knead the soil for a few minutes to reduce its water content slightly. Keep on rolling the sample; in this case you will be decreasing its water content. When the soil reaches the point where it will crumble, and when the thread is a uniform diameter of 3mm, it is at its plastic limit. Determine the water content of the soil.

Results of the plastic limit test Test 1 Mass of tin container(g) 9,33 Mass of tin container with wet soil(g) 11,53 Mass of tin with dry soil (g) 11,2 Mass of water Plastic limit = ----------------------------- x 100 Mass of oven dried soil