GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 2A (GTECIA2)

SOIL CLASSIFICATION TEST

KAVEH TAGHIZADEHTEFLISSI
Introduction
Introduction

➢In this unit

• In the first part we will learn the Particle Size Analysis or Grain Size Distribution(GSD) tests
• In the second part we will learn Atterberg Limits tests

3
Engineering Characterization of Soils

Soil Properties that Control its

Engineering Behavior

Particle Size

coarse-grained fine-grained

Particle/Grain Size Distribution Soil Plasticity

Particle Shape

4
What Is Soil Classification and Why?

➢the main purpose to classify the soil into a group according to the soil behavior and physical characteristic.
➢It expresses the general characteristics of a soil
➢To know the relative proportions of different grain sizes.
➢A soil classification system provides a common language used by all engineers.
➢Knowing the classified designation, it is possible to estimate soil behaviour and potential problems.

5
Soil Particles

SOIL

COARSE FINE GRANE

GRAIN SOILS SOILS

GRAVEL SAND SILT CLAY

6
Types And Size Of Soils

Cohesive Granular soils or

soils Cohesionless soils

Clay Silt Sand Gravel Cobble Boulder

0.002 0.075 4.75 19 300

Grain size (mm)

Fine grain soils Coarse grain soils

7
Soil indicator tests

➢ Particle Size Analysis or Grain Size Distribution(GSD) tests

1. Sieve Analysis
• Sieve analysis for coarse grain soils (Gravel, Sand)
• Grain size >0.075mm
2. Hydrometer Analysis
• Hydrometer analysis for fine grain soils (Silt, Clay)
• Grain size <0.075mm
3) Classify Coarse by Grain Size Distribution(GSD)

➢ Atterberg Limits tests

❖Classify fines by Atterberg limits (PI-LL chart)

8
Part 1: Particle Size Analysis
Particle Size Analysis or GSD

➢This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a soil.
➢Expressed as A % of the total dry mass.
➢Determine the distribution of particles by:
❖Sieve Analysis:
• Mechanical Analysis
• coarse grain soils (Gravel, Sand)
• size> 0.075mm
❖Hydrometer Analysis:
• fine grain soils (Silt, Clay)
• size < 0.075mm

10
Particle Size Analysis or GSD

➢This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a soil.
➢Standard Reference:
• ASTM D 422 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils

➢Significance:
• The distribution of different grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil.
• Grain size analysis provides the grain size distribution, and it is required in classifying the soil

11
Sieve Analysis
Sieve Analysis (Mechanical Analysis)

➢Sieve analysis consists of shaking the soil sample through a set of sieves that have progressively smaller
openings. U.S. standard sieve numbers and the sizes of openings are given in next Table.
➢The sieves used for soil analysis are generally 203 mm in diameter.
➢To conduct a sieve analysis, one must first oven-dry the soil and then break all lumps into small particles.
➢The soil then is shaken through a stack of sieves with openings of decreasing size from top to bottom (a pan
is placed below the stack).
➢Figure next slide shows a set of sieves in a shaker used for conducting the test in the laboratory.
➢The smallest-sized sieve that should be used for this type of test is the U.S. No. 200 sieve.
➢After the soil is shaken, the mass of soil retained on each sieve is determined.
➢Portions retained on each sieve are collected separately and the mass retained on each sieve is measured.

13
Sieve Analysis (Mechanical Analysis)
1. Determine the mass of soil retained on each sieve (i.e., M 1, M 2 ,... M n ) and in thepan (i.e., M p ).
2. Determine the total mass of the soil : M 1 + M 2 + ...M i ...M n + M p =  M .
3. Determine the cumulative mass of soil retained above each sieve. For the i th sieve, it isM 1 + M 2 + ... M i
4. The mass of soil passing theith sieve is  M − ( M 1 + M 2 + ... + M i ).
5. The percent of soil passing the i th sieve (orpercent finer ) is

F=
 M − (M 1 + M 2 + ... + M i )
 100
M
➢ Once the percent finer for each sieve is calculated (step 5), the calculations are plotted on semilogarithmic graph paper
(Figure) with percent finer as the ordinate (arithmetic scale) and sieve opening size as the abscissa (logarithmic scale).
➢ This plot is referred to as the particle-size distribution curve.

14
Sieve Analysis (Mechanical Analysis)

➢Standard Reference:
• ASTM D 422 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
➢This procedure is suitable for coarse grained soils.
e.g. No.10 sieve …. has 10
apertures per linear inch.

e.g. No.10 sieve …. has 10 apertures per linear inch.

15
Sieve Analysis (Mechanical Analysis)
sand
Fine
gravel grained
soil

Sieve
Analysis

16
Sieve Analysis (Mechanical Analysis)

17
US Standards Sieve Sizes

18
Soil Grain Size

➢Boulders (>300mm)
➢Cobbles(300-75mm)
➢Gravel (75-4.75mm)
• Coarse Gravel (75-19mm)
• Fine Gravel (19-4.75mm)
➢Sand (4.75-0.075mm)
• Coarse Sand(4.75-2mm)
• Medium Sand(2- 0.425 mm)
• Fine Sand (0.425-0.075mm)
➢Silt 0.075-0.002 mm
➢Clay (< 0.002 mm)

Note: Boulders and Cobbles are

not part of the soil classification

19
ASTM Particle Size Definition

20
Soil Classification Based On Grain Size According to Different Standards

21
Hydrometer Analysis
Hydrometer Analysis silt

hydrometer
➢Also called Sedimentation Analysis.
➢Hydrometer Analysis is for fine-grain soils (Silt, Clay) and
particles size < 0.075mm. clay

➢Hydrometer analysis is based on the principle of

sedimentation of soil grains in water.
➢When a soil specimen is dispersed in water, the particles
settle at different velocities, depending on their shape,
size, weight, and the viscosity of the water.
➢ For simplicity, it is assumed that all the soil particles are
spheres and that the velocity of soil particles can be
expressed by Stokes’ law.

23
Hydrometer Analysis

➢In the laboratory, the hydrometer test is conducted in a sedimentation

cylinder with a1000ml of water with 50g oven dry sample. Sometimes
100-g samples also can be used.
➢Sedimentation cylinder is 457 mm high and 63.5 mm in diameter. It is
marked for a volume of 1000 ml.
➢Sodium hexametaphosphate generally is used as the dispersing agent.
➢ The volume of the dispersed soil suspension is increased to 1000 ml
by adding distilled water.
➢An ASTM 152H type hydrometer is then placed in the sedimentation
cylinder.
➢When a hydrometer is placed in the soil suspension at a time t,
ASTM 152H ASTM 152H type
measured from the start of sedimentation it measures the specific hydrometer hydrometer placed in inside
gravity in the vicinity of its bulb at a depth L. the sedimentation cylinder
➢
24
Hydrometer Analysis
➢The specific gravity is a function of the amount of soil particles present per unit volume of suspension at
that depth.
➢Also, at a time t, the soil particles in suspension at a depth L will have a diameter smaller than D as
calculated in Eq.
➢The larger particles would have settled beyond the zone of measurement.
➢Hydrometers are designed to give the amount of soil, in grams, that is still in suspension.
➢They are calibrated for soils that have a specific gravity, Gs, of 2.65; for soils of other specific gravity, a
correction must be made.
➢By knowing the amount of soil in suspension, L, and t, we can calculate the percentage of soil by weight
finer than a given diameter.
➢ Note that L is the depth measured from the surface of the water to the center of gravity of the
hydrometer bulb at which the density of the suspension is measured.
➢The value of L will change with time t.
➢Hydrometer analysis is effective for separating soil fractions down to a size of about 0.5 mm.

25
Hydrometer Analysis

➢Based on the principle of sedimentation of soil grains in water

➢When soil is dispersed in water, particles settle at different
velocities, depending on:
• Size
• Weight
• Water Viscosity

26
Hydrometer Analysis
s −w
v=  D2
➢Based on the principle of 18
sedimentation of soil grains in water
L(cm)
➢by Stokes’ law : D(mm) = K
t (min)
➢Note that the value of K is a function of
Gs and h, which are dependent on the where : K =
30
temperature of the test. Table gives the Gs − 1
variation of K with the test temperature
and the specific gravity of soil solids. v = velocity
 s = unit weigth of soil particles
 w = unit weigth of water
 = viscosity of water
D = diameter of soil particles

27
Values of K and L
L = 16.29 − 0.164 R
L(cm)
D(mm) = K
t (min)

28
Grain Size Distribution (GSD) Curve
Grain Size Distribution (GSD) Curve
➢In many instances, the results of sieve analysis and
hydrometer analysis for finer fractions for a given soil are
combined on one graph, such as the one shown in
Figures.
➢When these results are combined, a discontinuity
generally occurs in the range where they overlap. This
discontinuity occurs because soil particles are generally
irregular in shape.

➢Sieve analysis gives the intermediate dimensions of a

particle; hydrometer analysis gives the of an equivalent
sphere that would settle at the same rate as the soil
particle.

30
Particle Size Distribution Curves

➢A particle-size distribution curve can be used to determine the following parameters for a soil

• The effective size (Dx) is the diameter in the particle distribution curve corresponding to X% finer
• The effective size (D10) is the diameter in the particle distribution curve corresponding to 10% finer and the effective
size of a granular soil is a good measure to estimate the hydraulic conductivity and drainage through soil.
• The effective size (D30) is the diameter in the particle distribution curve corresponding to 30% finer
• The effective size (D60) is the diameter in the particle distribution curve corresponding to 60% finer

D60
➢Uniformity coefficient (Cu) Cu =
D10
( D30 )2
➢The coefficient of curvature (Cc) Cc =
D60  D10

31
Well or Poorly Graded Soils

➢Well Graded Soils : Wide range of grain sizes present

• Gravels: 1 < Cc < 3 & Cu >4
• Sands: 1 < Cc < 3 & Cu >6
➢Poorly Graded Soils : Others, including two special cases:
• Uniform soils – grains of same size
• Gap graded soils – no grains in a specific size range

32
Well or Poorly Graded Soils Grain Size Distribution Curves

33
Well or Poorly Graded Soils Grain Size Distribution Curves

D10 = 0.075mm
D30 = 0.2mm
D60 = 0.6mm
D60 0.6
Cu = = =8
D10 0.075
( D30 ) 2 (0.2) 2
Cc = = = 0.9  1.0
D60  D10 0.6  0.075

34
Well or Poorly Graded Soils
Grain Size Distribution Curves

35
Examples
Example 1

The following are the results of a sieve analysis:

a. Perform the necessary calculations and plot a grain-size
distribution curve.
b. Determine D10, D30, and D60 from the grain-size distribution
U.S sieve no. Mass of soil retained
curve. on each sieve (gr)
c. Calculate the uniformity coefficient, Cu.
4 0
d. Calculate the coefficient of gradation, Cc.
10 21.6
20 49.5
40 102.6
60 89.1
100 95.6
200 60.4
Pan 31.02

37
Example 1
U.S sieve no. Opening Mass retained Cumulative mass retained Percent
(mm) on each sieve above each sieve finer
➢Part a (gr) (gr)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

4 4.75 0 0 100
10 2.00 21.6 21.6 95.2
20 0.850 49.5 71.1 84.2
40 0.425 102.6 173.7 61.4
60 0.250 89.1 262.8 41.6
100 0.150 95.6 358.4 20.4
200 0.075 60.4 418.8 6.9
Pan - 31.02 450=SM

 M − col 4  100 = 450 − col 4  100

M 450
38
 (4.75,100)
Example 1
The particle-size distribution curve is shown in Figure

U.S sieve no. Opening Mass Cumulative mass Percent

(mm) retained on retained above each finer
each sieve sieve
(gr) (gr)
(1) (2) (5)
(3) (4)
4 4.75 0 0 100
10 2.00 21.6 21.6 95.2
20 0.850 49.5 71.1 84.2
40 0.425 102.6 173.7 61.4
60 0.250 89.1 262.8 41.6
100 0.150 95.6 358.4 20.4
200 0.075 60.4 418.8 6.9
Pan - 31.02 450=SM

39
Example 1
➢Part b
D60 = 0.41mm
D30 = 0.185mm
60
D10 = 0.09mm
➢Part c : Uniformity coefficient,
30
D 0.41
Cu = 60 = = 4.56
D10 0.09
10
➢Part d : Coefficient of gradation,

D302 0.1852
Cc = = = 0.93
D60  D10 0.41  0.09

40
Example 2

The following are the results of a sieve analysis:

a. Draw the particle-size distribution curve.
b. Determine the percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay
according to the MIT system.
Size Percent finer
c. Repeat Part b using the USDA system (mm)
d. Repeat Part b using the ASTM system
0.425 100
0.033 90
0.018 80
0.001 70
0.0062 60
0.0035 50
0.0018 40
0.001 35

41
Example 2 (0.425,100)

➢Part a

Size Percent finer

(mm) %
(0.001,35)
0.425 100
0.033 90
0.018 80
0.001 70
0.0062 60
0.0035 50
0.0018 40
0.001 35

42
Example 2

➢Part b

MIT system
From the plot shown in Figure 95%
Passing 2 mm=100%
Passing 0.06 mm=95%
Passing 0.002mm=42%

Therefore 42%
Gravel =0%
Sand =100%-95%=5%
Slit =95%-42%=53% 0.06 0.002
Clay =42%-0%=42%

43
Example 2

➢Part c

USDA system
From the plot shown in Figure 94%
Passing 2 mm=100%
Passing 0.05 mm=94%
Passing 0.002mm=42%

Therefore 42%
Gravel =0%
Sand =100%-94%=6%
Slit =94%-42%=52% 0.05 0.002
Clay =42%-0%=42%

44
Example 2

➢Part d

ASTM system
96%
From the plot shown in Figure
Passing 4.75 mm=100%
Passing 0.075 mm=96%
Passing 0.002mm=42%

Therefore 42%
Gravel =0%
Sand =100%-96%=4%
Slit =96%-42%=54% 0.075 0.002
Clay =42%-0%=42%

45
Example 3

The following are the results of a sieve analysis.

a. Make the necessary calculations and draw a particle-size distribution curve.
Determine: U.S sieve no. Mass of soil retained
b. D10,D30 and D60 on each sieve (gr)
c. Uniformity coefficient, Cu 4 0
d. Coefficient of gradation, Cc 10 40
20 60
40 89
60 140
80 122
100 210
200 56
Pan 12

46
 U.S sieve no. Opening Mass retained Cumulative mass retained Percent
Example 3 (mm) on each sieve above each sieve finer
(gr) (gr)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

4 4.75 0 0 100
10 2.00 40 40 94.5
20 0.850 60 40+60=100 86.3
40 0.425 89 100+89=189 74.1
60 0.250 140 189+140=329 54.9
80 0.180 122 329+122=451 38.1
100 0.150 210 451+210=661 9.3
200 0.075 56 661+56=717 1.7
Pan - 12 717+12=729=SM

 M − col 4  100 = 729 − col 4  100

M 729
47
Example 3

➢Part b

D10 = 0.15mm
D30 = 0.17mm
D60 = 0.27mm

➢Part c & d

D60 0.27
Cu = = = 1.8
D10 0.15
D302 (0.17) 2
Cc = = = 0.71
D60  D10 0.27  0.15

48
Example 4

A hydrometer test has the following result:

Gs= 2.7, temperature of water 24°C,and Hydrometer reading, R=9.2 cm at 60 minutes after the start of
sedimentation.
What is the diameter D of the smallest-size particles that have settled beyond the zone of measurement at
that time (that is, t=60 min)?

49
Example 4
L = 16.29 − 0.164 R
L(cm)
D(mm) = K L = 16.29 − 0.164  9.2 = 14.78
t (min)

14.78
D ( mm ) = 0.01282 = 6.36  10 −3 = 0.00636mm
60

50
Example 5

A hydrometer test has the following result:

Gs= 2.75, temperature of water 23°C,and Hydrometer reading, R=12.8 cm at 100 minutes after the start of
sedimentation.
What is the diameter D of the smallest-size particles that have settled beyond the zone of measurement at
that time (that is, t=100 min)?

51
Example 5
L = 16.29 − 0.164 R
L(cm)
D(mm) = K L = 16.29 − 0.164  12.8 = 14.19 14.2
t (min)

14.20
D ( mm ) = 0.01279 = 4.82  10 −3 = 0.00482mm
100

52
Example 6

For the following data with Ms=50gr and Gs=2.7

T Time Reading
draw the particle size distribution curve. The (C) (min)
hydrometer used is a 152H ASTM.
18 1 45.5
18 2 41.5
18 3 38.0
18 4 35.5
18 8 32.0
18 16 29.0
18 30 27.5
20 60 26.0
22 120 25.4
24 240 25.0
19 1440 24.0

53
 L = 16.29 − 0.164 R
Example 6
L(cm)
D(mm) = K
T Time Readin L(mm) K D(mm) a Finer
t (min)
(C) (min) g (%) 0.623Gs
=
18 1 45.5 8.83 0.01378 0.0409 0.99 90.09 Gs − 1
18 2 41.5 9.48 0.01378 0.0300 0.99 82.17
18 3 38.0 10.06 0.01378 0.0252 0.99 75.24
18 4 35.5 10.47 0.01378 0.0223 0.99 70.29
18 8 32.0 11.04 0.01378 0.0162 0.99 63.36
18 16 29.0 11.53 0.01378 0.0117 0.99 57.42
18 30 27.5 11.78 0.01378 0.0086 0.99 54.45
20 60 26.0 12.03 0.01344 0.0060 0.99 51.48
22 120 25.4 12.12 0.01312 0.0042 0.99 50.29
24 240 25.0 12.19 0.01282 0.0029 0.99 49.50 R
Finer % =
19 1440 24.0 12.35 0.01361 0.0013 0.99 47.52 Ms

54
Example 6
t = 60 min, T = 20c, R = 26.0, Gs = 2.70

L = 16.29 − 0.164 R = 16.29 − 0.164  26 = 12.03

K = 0.01344

L 12.03
D=K = 0.01344  = 0.0060
t 60
0.623Gs 0.623  2.7
= = = 0.99
Gs − 1 2.7 − 1

R 0.99  26
Finer % = =  100 = 51.48%
Ms 50

55
Part 2: Soil Plasticity
Soil Plasticity

• Further classification within fine-grained soils (i.e. soil that passes #200 sieve) is done based on soil plasticity.

• Albert Atterberg, Swedish Soil Scientist (1846-1916)…..series of tests for evaluating soil plasticity.

• Arthur Casagrande adopted these tests for geotechnical engineering purposes.

57
Arthur Casagrande (1902-1981)

➢Joined Karl Terzaghi at MIT in 1926 as his graduate student.

➢Research project funded by Bureau of Public Road
➢After completion of Ph.D. at MIT Casagrande initiated Geotechnical
Engineering Program at Harvard.
➢Soil Plasticity and Soil Classification (1932)

58
Atterberg Limits
➢Atterberg Limit or Characteristic of Fine Grained Soil
➢Cohesive Soil (Clay)
➢Base on water content
➢Border line water contents, separating the different states of a fine grained soil
➢Consistency Limit :
❖Liquid Limit (LL) or (wL)
• Clay flows like liquid when w > LL
❖Plastic Limit (PL)or (wP)
• Lowest water content where the clay is still plastic
❖ Shrinkage Limit (SL)or(wS)
• At w<SL, no volume reduction on drying

59
Atterberg Limits
➢Consistency of fine-grained soil varies in proportion to the water content

liquid (soup)
Liquid limit (LL)

Plasticity Index (PI) plastic (pea nut butter)

Plastic limit (PL)

semi-solid (cheese)
Shrinkage limit (SL)
solid (hard candy)

60
Atterberg Limits

61
Liquid Limit (LL or wL)

➢The liquid limit is that moisture content at which a soil changes from the liquid state to the plastic state.

➢It along with the plastic limit provides a means of soil classification as well as being useful in determining
other soil properties.

➢Two main methods to determine the liquid limit :

• Fall cone Apparatus (new)

• Casagrande Apparatus (traditional)

Cone
Pentrometer Casagrande

62
Casagrande Apparatus

➢The moisture content at which a 2 mm-wide groove in a soil pat will close for a distance of 12.5mm (0.5 in)
when dropped 25 times in a standard brass cup falling 1 cm each time at a rate of 2 drops/sec in a
standard liquid limit device.

12.5

63
Casagrande Apparatus

➢This device consists of a brass cup and a hard rubber base.

➢The brass cup can be dropped onto the base by a cam operated by a crank.
➢To perform the liquid limit test, one must place a soil paste in the cup.
➢ A groove is then cut at the center of the soil pat with the standard grooving tool (Figures).
➢Note that there are two types of grooving tools in use.
➢They are flat grooving tools (Figure) and wedge grooving tools (Figure).
➢By the use of the crank-operated cam, the cup is lifted and dropped from a height of 10 mm (0.394 in.).
➢The moisture content, in percent, required to close a distance of 12.5 mm (0.5 in.) along the bottom of the
groove after 25 blows is defined as the liquid limit.
➢It is difficult to adjust the moisture content in the soil to meet the required 12.5 mm (0.5 in.)
➢closure of the groove in the soil pat at 25 blows.
➢Hence, at least three tests for the same soil are conducted at varying moisture contents, with the number
of blows, N, required to achieve closure varying between 15 and 35.

64
Casagrande Apparatus

12.5mm

65
Liquid Limit Determination
➢In practice we need 4 test for LL determination
➢Usually acceptable range of N varies between 15-35

66
Fall Cone Apparatus
➢In this test a steel cone, of 80 grams weight, and having a
point angle of 30, is placed upon a clay sample, with the
point just at the surface of the clay.
➢The cone is then dropped and its penetration depth is
measured.
➢The liquid limit has been defined as the water content
corresponding to a penetration of exactly 20 mm for a period
of 5 sec.

67
Fall Cone Apparatus

68
Plastic Limit (PL, WP)

➢The plastic limit is defined as the moisture content in percent, at which the
soil crumbles, when rolled into threads of 3.2mm(1/8 inches) in diameter.
➢The plastic limit is the lower limit of the plastic stage of soil.
➢The plastic limit test is simple and is performed by repeated rollings of an
ellipsoidal-sized soil mass by hand on a ground glass plate (Figure).
➢The procedure for the plastic limit test is given by ASTM in Test
Designation D-4318.
➢As in the case of liquid limit determination, the fall cone method can be
used to obtain the plastic limit.
➢This can be achieved by using a cone of similar geometry but with a mass
of 2.35 N (240 gf).
➢Three to four tests at varying moisture contents of soil are conducted, and
the corresponding cone penetrations (d) are determined.
➢The moisture content corresponding to a cone penetration of d 20 mm is
the plastic limit.
69
Shrinkage limit (SL)

➢Soil shrinks as moisture is gradually lost from it.

➢ With continuing loss of moisture, a stage of equilibrium is reached at which more loss of moisture will
result in no further volume change (Figure).
➢The moisture content, in percent, at which the volume of the soil mass ceases to change is defined as
the shrinkage limit.
➢Shrinkage limit tests [ASTM (2007)—Test Designation D-427] are performed in the laboratory with a
porcelain dish about 44 mm (1.75 in.) in diameter and about 12.7 mm ( in.) high.
➢The inside of the dish is coated with petroleum jelly and is then filled completely with wet soil.
➢Excess soil standing above the edge of the dish is struck off with a straightedge.
➢The mass of the wet soil inside the dish is recorded.
➢The soil pat in the dish is then oven-dried.
➢ The volume of the oven-dried soil pat is determined by the displacement of mercury.

70
Shrinkage limit (SL)

➢Test Standard : ASTM D 427

➢Defined as the moisture content, in percent, at which the volume of soil mass ceases to change

M1 − M 2 (Vi − V f )  w
SL = ( )  100 − [ ]  100
M2 M2

71
Plasticity Index ( PI, IP )

➢Range of water content over which the soil remains plastic.

➢Note: These are water contents, but the percentage sign is
not typically shown.

PI = LL − PL
or
I P = wL − wP
Plasticity Index = Liquid Limit – Plastic Limit

PL LL
0 Shrinkage Plastic Liquid water content
limit limit plastic limit

72
Liquidity Index (LI)

➢It provides insight into the expected soil behaviour, i.e. will it behave like a liquid, plastic or brittle.

w − PL w − PL
LI = =
LL − PL PI

73
Plasticity Chart Casagrande’s PI-LL Chart

74
Casagrande’s PI-LL Chart

60
U-line
50
montmorillonite illite A-line

Plasticity Index
40

30
kaolinite
20
halloysite
10

0
chlorite
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Liquid Limit

75
Activity (A)

➢It provides information relative to the swelling potential and stability

➢The liquid and plastic limit is affected by:
• Type of mineral clay
• Their proportional amount in a soil
• It linearly increases with the percent of clay-size fraction

PI
A=
% of clay size by weight

A < 0.75 → non-active clay

0.75 A<1.25 → normal clay
A 1.25 → active clay

76
Typical LL,PL,A Value of Clay Minerals

77
Example 7

Following are the results of a shrinkage limit test:

• Initial volume of soil in a saturated state 24.6 cm3
• Final volume of soil in a dry state 15.9 cm3
• Initial mass in a saturated state 44.0 gr
• Final mass in a dry state 30.1 gr
Determine the shrinkage limit of the soil.

78
Example 7

M 1 = 44.0 gr M1 − M 2 (Vi − V f )  w
SL = ( )  100 − [ ]  100
M 2 = 30.10 gr M2 M2
Vi = 24.60 cm 3 44.0 − 30.1 (24.6 − 15.9)  1
SL = ( )  100 − [ ]  100
V f = 15.90 cm 3 30.1 30.1

gr SL = 46.18 − 28.9 = 17.28%

w = 1
cm 3

79
Example 8

The following data were recorded in liquid limit test using the Casagrande apparatus.
Determine the liquid limit of the soil. Classify the soil assuming plastic limit PL=19.8%

Number of blows Mass of can (gr) Mass of soil+can Mass of dry

(gr) soil+can (gr)

8 11.80 36.05 29.18

16 13.20 34.15 28.60
27 14.10 36.95 31.16
40 12.09 33.29 28.11

80
Example 8
Number of Mass of can Mass of Mass of dry Mass of water (gr) Mass of solid(gr) Moisture content
blows (gr) soil+can (gr) soil+can (gr) (3)-(4) (4)-(2) (5)/(6)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

8 11.80 36.05 29.18 36.05-29.18=6.87 29.18-11.80=17.38 6.87/17.38=0.395
16 13.20 34.15 28.60 34.15-28.60=5.55 28.60-13.20=15.40 5.55/15.4=0.360
27 14.10 36.95 31.16 36.95-31.16=5.79 31.16-14.10=17.06 5.79/17.06=0.339
40 12.09 33.29 28.11 33.29-28.11=5.18 28.11-12.09=16.02 5.18/16.02=0.323

Number of Moisture content

blows

(1) (7)
8 0.395
16 0.360
27 0.339
40 0.323

81
Example 8
40
39
38

Moisture content (%)

Number Moisture 37
of blows content 36
35 25, 34.2
(1) (7) 34.2
34
8 0.395
33
16 0.360 32
27 0.339 31
40 0.323 30
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Number of blows

LL = 34.2
PI = LL − PL = 34.2 − 19.8 = 14.4

82
Example 8
The soil is classified as CL or OL

LL = 34.2
PI = 14.4

14.4

34.2

83
Example 9

The recorded data in a liquid limit test using cone penetration method are as follows.
Determine the liquid limit of the soil.

Cone Moisture
penetration content
(mm) %

14.1 28.3
18.3 42.2
22.1 52.4
27.2 63.5

84
Example 9
LL = 47

70

60
Cone Moisture

Moisture content (%)

penetration content
50 47 20, 47
(mm) %

14.1 28.3 40

18.3 42.2
30
22.1 52.4
27.2 63.5 20
10 20 30 40 50
Cone penetration (mm)

85
Thank You