METHOD STATEMENT

DETERMINATION OF THE LIQUID LIMIT

BY CONE PENETRATION TEST

1.0 PURPOSE
To determine at which a soil-water mixture passes from a plastic to a liquid state.

2.0 SCOPE

These tests are used in classifying soils for quality control of materials used in embankment,
subgrade, sub base and crushed aggregate road base.

3.0 REFERENCES
P07-03 Procedure for Preparation of Method Statement
BS 1377 British Standard
JKR/SPJ/1988 Standard Specification for Roadworks

4.0 DEFINITION
Plastic Limit The moisture content at which a soil passes from the plastic to the
liquid state, as determined by the liquid limit test.

Sample A portion of soil taken a being representative of particular deposit or

stratum

5.0 APPARATUS (Test Sieves)

Penetrometer As used in bituminous material testing complying with the
requirements of BS 2000: Part 49
Cone Made of stainless steel or duralumin approximately 35mm long
polished surface with an angle of 30 +1°
Flat Glass Plate Approximate size of 500 MM 2 and 100 mm thick
Pallete Knives Convenient size having a blade 200 mm long & 30 mm wide
Evaporating Dish Approx. 150mm diameter
Metal Cup Approx. 55mm dia and 40mm deep with the RIM parallel to the
flat base
Wash bottle preferably made of plastic
Apparatus for moisture content determination
Metal straightedge 100mm long on a straight bladed spatula
Stopclock
PROCEDURE

 Weigh a sample at least 200 gm from the material passing the 425 um BS test sieve.
 Place the sample on a flat glass and mixed thoroughly with water using the pallete a
knife until the mass becomes a thick homogeneous paste.
 It necessary additional amount of water shall be added so that the first cone
penetration reading is approximately 15 mm.
 Push a portion of the mixed soil into the cup with a pallete knife taking care not to
trap air. Strike off excess soil with the beveled edge of the straightedge to give a
smooth surface
 With the penetration cone locked in the raised position, lower the supporting
assembly so that the tip of the cone just touches the surface of the soil
 Lower the stem of dial gauge to contact the cone shaft and record the reading of dial
gauge to the nearest 0.1 mm
 When the cone is in the correct position it shall than be released for a period of 5+1
second. The reading shall be noted to the nearest 0.1 mm
 After the cone has been locked in position the dial gauge shall be lowered to the new
position of the cone shaft and the reading noted to the nearest o.1 mm. The
difference between the final reading and the initial reading shall be recorded as the
cone penetration
 The cone shall be lifted out and cleaned carefully for the next trial
 A little more wet soil shall be added to the cup and the process repeated at least four
times using the same sample to which increments of water have been added.
 The amount of water added shall be chosen so that the range of penetration values
of approximately 15mm to 25mm is covered
 Take the moisture content for moisture content determination.
 The relationship between the moisture content and the cone penetration shall be
plotted with the percentage moisture content as abscissa and the cone penetrations
as ordinates, both and linear scales. The best straight line fitting the plotted points
shall be draw through them
 The moisture content corresponding to a cone penetration of 20mm shall be taken as
the liquid limit of the soil & shall be expressed to the nearest whole number