The properties of the soil on which their classification and identification are

based are known as index properties. The index properties that are used are:

Grain size distribution

Consistency limits
Plasticity index
Grain size distribution (sieve analysis)

The sieves are arranged, keeping the thinner ones below and the thicker ones above.
A defined amount of soil is dried in an electric oven (for 24 hours at 105 ° C) and
placed in the upper sieve. The cover is placed on the upper sieve and a tray under
the lower sieve. Then, the sieves are placed on the agitator and stirred for a few
minutes. The weight of the soil thus retained in each sieve is determined and
converted into a percentage.

Soil consistency

Soil consistency is the physical state of the soil with respect to the moisture
content present at that time. By consistency is meant the relative ease with which
the soil can be deformed. The consistency is related to the fine-grained soil.

Limits of consistency or limits of Atterberg

The moisture content in which the soil changes from one state to another is called
consistency limits or Atterberg limits. There are four different soil states:

Solid State
Semi solid state
Plastic state
Liquid state