University of Houston

Spring 2022

Atterberg Limits Lab Report

CIVE 3339
Geotechnical Engineering
Group B
Student Number: 4

Prepared By:
Jorge Castillo
March 1st, 2022
Table of Contents

Abstract ......................................................................................................................................1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................2

Objectives ...................................................................................................................................3

Procedures ..................................................................................................................................4

Results ........................................................................................................................................7

Discussions .................................................................................................................................8

Conclusions ..............................................................................................................................11

References ................................................................................................................................12

Appendix ..................................................................................................................................13
Abstract
It is very important to understand the various properties of soil for engineering purposes.
Atterberg’s limits, the moisture content percentage at which the soil converts from solid to semi-
solid, semi-solid to plastic, and liquid limit; the point at conversions are the shrinkage limit,
plastic limit, and liquid limit respectively. These properties will help determine the classification
of a soil, which will further allow us to know the behavior of the soil in different engineering
scenarios. Two tests will be conducted, the plastic limit test, and the liquid limit test, the
standards for these tests are referenced in the reference sheet. As the name implies, the test will
help determine plastic limit and liquid limit of soil, respectively. After having the data for the
test, we will be able to calculate these limits and in conjunction, the plasticity index. The
plasticity index is the value of depending on our soil plasticity. After having these values, we
will finally be able to classify the soil.

1
Introduction
Utilizing a sample of soil given we will be able to determine Atterberg’s limits, plasticity of soil,
and other important values regarding the sample of soil given. In this lab two different test will
be performed, the liquid limit test and the plastic limit test. The tests will follow various testing
standards that are important to follow, see appendix. Specifically, we will be able to determine
the plasticity of soil after obtaining plastic limit (PL), liquid limit (LL), flow index, and plasticity
index (PI). We will utilize our values and determine where our sample falls using the plasticity
chart. The plasticity chart contains various classification of soil depending on the liquid limit and
plasticity limit, see figure 2 in appendix.

2
Objectives
To obtain plasticity of soil sample after performing tests and analyzing data.

3
Procedures
Two important tests will be performed, plastic limit test and liquid limit test. The two procedures
will be explained separately.

Plastic Limit Test

Apparatus Used:

• Balance sensitive up 0.01g

• Liquid limit device (Casagrande’s liquid limit device)
• Grooving tool
• Mixing dishes
• Spatula
• Oven
• Paper towels
• Plastic squeeze bottle.
• Porcelain evaporating dish.

1. Take approximately 20 grams of a representative soil sample which is passing through No.40
sieve (air dry) in a porcelain evaporating dish.

2. Add water from the plastic squeeze bottle to the soil and mix thoroughly.

3. Take the weight of a weight of a moisture can and record it on the data sheet (W1).

4. From the moist soil prepared in Step 2, several ellipsoidal – shaped soil masses by squeezing
with fingers.

5. Take one of the ellipsoidal –shaped soil masses) step 40 and roll it on a ground glass plate
using the palm of the hand. The rolling should be done at the rate of about 80 stokes/ minute.
Note that on complete backward and one compete forward motion of the palm constitute a
stroke.

6. When the thread being rolled in step 5 reaches 1/8 – in (3.18mm) in diameter, break it up into
several small pieces and squeeze it with fingers to form an ellipsoidal mass again.

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7. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the thread crumbles into several pieces when it reaches a diameter
of 1/8-in (3.18mm). It is possible that a thread may crumbled at diameter larger than 1/8-in
(3.18mm) during a given rolling process, whereas it did not crumble at a diameter of 1/8-in
(3.18mm) during the previous rolling .this is however, satisfactory.

8. Collect the small crumble pieces in the moisture can and close the cover.

9. Take the other ellipsoidal soil masses formed in Step 4 and repeat Steps 5 through 8. 10. Take
the weight of the moisture can plus the wet soil (W2). Remove the cap from the top of the can
and place it (with the cap at the bottom of the can) in the oven.

11. After about 24 hours, remove the can from the oven and take the weight of the can plus the
dry soil (W3).

Liquid Limit Test

Apparatus:

• Porcelain evaporating dish.

• Spatula
• Plastic squeeze bottle
• Moisture can
• Ground glass plate

1. Determine the weight of three moisture cans (W1).

2. Take about 250g of air-dry soil passing No.40 sieve in an evaporating dish. Add water

from the plastic squeeze bottle and mix the soil to the form of uniform paste.

3. Place a portion of the paste in the brass cup such that the maximum depth of soil is 8 mm.

4. Using the grooving tool, cut a groove along the center line of the soil pat in the cup.

5. Turn the crank of the liquid limit device at the rate of about 2 revolutions per second. By

this, the liquid limit cup will rise and drop through a vertical distance of 10mm once for

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 each revolution, the soil from two side of the cup will begin to flow toward the center.

6. Count the number of blows, N, for the groove in the soil to close through a distance of 1⁄2 in

(12.7mm). if N = about 25 to 35, collect a moisture sample from the soil in the cup in a

moisture can. Close the cover of the can and determine the weight of the can plus the

moisture soil (W2). Remove the rest of the soil paste from the cup to the evaporating dish.

Use paper towels to clean the cup well. If the soil is too dry, N will be more than 35. In that

case remove the soil by the spatula to the evaporating dish. Clean the liquid cup well with

paper towels. Mix the soil in the evaporating dish with more water and try again.

If the soil is too wet, N will be less than about 25. In that case, remove the soil in the cup to

the evaporating dishes. Clean the liquid limit cup carefully with paper towels. Stir the
soil paste with the spatula for some time to dry it up. The evaporating dish may be placed in
the oven

for a few minutes for drying also. Do not add dry soil the wet soil pastes to reduce the

moisture content for bringing it to the proper consistency. Now try again in the liquid limit

device to get the groove closure of 1⁄2- in (12.7mm) between 25 to 35.

7. Add more water to the soil –paste in the evaporating dish and mix thoroughly. Repeat step

3 ,4 and 5 to get a groove closure of 1⁄2 in (12.7mm) in the liquid limit device at a blow

count, N =20 to 25. Take a moisture sample from the cup. Remove the rest of the soil

paste to the evaporating dish. Clean the cup with paper towels.

8. Add more water to the soil- paste in the evaporating dish and mix well. Repeat steps 3,4,

and 5 to get a below count, N, between 15 to 20 for groove closure 0f 1⁄2 in.(12.7mm) in

the liquid limit device. Take a moisture sample from the cup.

9. Put the three moisture cans in the oven to dry to constant weight (W3).

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Results
After doing both of our tests, plastic limit test and liquid limit test, we can collect data from the
performed experiments and analyze to determine important values.

The data for the liquid limit is summarized in Table 1. Moisture content is obtained by utilizing
Equation 1 from appendix, which is the equation for moisture content. Theoretical liquid limit is
obtained utilizing equation 2 from appendix. After wards, we can plot our liquid limit chart
utilizing moisture content vs number of blows, see figure 1.

Table 1 - Liquid Limit Test

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 Figure 1 - Liquid Limit Chart

Additionally, after performing our plastic limit we can gather the data which is shows in Table 2.
Knowing both data is important for determining further values.

Table 2 - Plastic Limit Test

Furthermore, we can calculate the values in table 3, below is a summary regarding the
calculations:

• Flow Limit: We utilize Equation 2 and values from Table 1

• Liquid Limit: We utilize Equation 6 and values from Table 1

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 • Plastic Limit: We utilize Equation 4 and values from Table 2

Table 3 - Calculated Values

From the plasticity chart, figure 2 from appendix, utilizing our calculated plasticity index and
liquid limit, our sample falls between low plasticity clay and medium plasticity clay. Utilizing
our moisture percentage from table 1 and plasticity chart, table 4 from the appendix, we can
categorize our soil sample as intermediate (medium) plasticity clay.

9
Discussions
After analyzing our data, we were able to more narrowly determine our soil sample to be a
intermediate plasticity clay. Utilizing the plasticity chart, figure 2 from appendix, we were able
to determine our soil to be between low plasticity clay and medium plasticity clay. But, after
utilizing table 4 from our appendix, the plasticity chart, we can accurately determine soil to be
and intermediate (medium) plasticity clay.

It is important to note, the moisture content obtained from interpolating our values from figure 1
has a similar value as calculating the individual moisture content per sample number utilizing
equation 2 from appendix. Also, the three different runs for our liquid limit test provided very
similar results. Additionally, if we were to use the moisture content from table 1, we would also
reach the same conclusion of our soil being an intermediate plasticity clay.

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Conclusions
Our soil is a medium plasticity clay, it has a liquid limit of 36.34% and a plastic limit of 20%
which was determined after collecting our data and analyzing in using various equations and
tables.

(1) Our soil is a medium plasticity clay

(2) Flow limit is 17.76%

(3) Liquid Limit is 36.34%

(4) Plastic Limit is 20%

(5) Plastic Index is 16.34%

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References
[1] AASHTO T 87, Dry Preparation of Disturbed Soil and Soil Aggregate samples for

Test.

[2] AASHTO T 89, Determining the Liquid Limit of Soils.

[3] AASHTO T 265, Laboratory Determination of Moisture Content of Soils.

[4] Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, Sixth Edition (2002), Braja M Das

[5] Engineering Properties of Soil and Their Measurement, Fourth Edition (1992), Joseph

E. Bowles.

[6] ASTM D 4318 - 10 Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and

Plasticity Index of Soils

[7] ASTM D 4318 - 10 Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity
Index of Soils

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Appendix
Equation 1 - Moisture Content

Equation 2 - Flow Index

Equation 3 - Liquid Limit

Equation 4 - Plastic Limit

Equation 5 - Plasticity Index

Equation 6 - Interpolation

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Equation 7 - Plasticity Chart

Equation 8 - Plasticity table

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