Procedures for Liquid Limit

1) A sample of about 300g is taken from the soil paste prepared and placed on
the glass plate.
2) The prepared paste is mixed for at least 10 min using the two palette knives. If
necessary more distilled water is added so that the first cone penetration
reading is about 15mm.
3) A portion of the mixed soil is pushed into the cup with a palette knife taking
care not to trap air. Excess soil is struck off with the straightedge to give a
smooth level surface.
4) The penetration cone locked in the raised position and the supporting
assembly is lowered so that the tip of the cone just touches the surface of the
soil. When the cone is in the correct position a slight movement of the cup will
just mark the soil surface. The stem of the dial gauge is lowered to contact the
cone shaft and the reading of the dial gauge is recorded to the nearest
0.1mm.
5) The cone is released for a period of 5 ± 1s. Then, the cone is locked in
position and the stem of the dial gauge is lowered to contact the cone shaft to
record the reading of the dial gauge to the nearest 0.1mm. The difference
between the beginning and the end of the drop as the cone penetration is
recorded.
6) The cone is lifted up and cleaned carefully to avoid scratching.
7) A moisture content sample of about 10g is taken from the area penetrated by
the cone and the moisture content is determined.
8) Step 3 to 7 is repeated at least three more times with using the same sample
of soil to which further increment of distilled water have been added.
Proceeded from the drier to the wetter condition of the soil. The amount of
water added shall be such that a range of penetration values of approximately
15mm to 25mm is covered by four or more test runs and is evenly distributed.
Each time soil is removed from the cup for the addition of water, the cup is
washed and dried.
9) At any time during the above procedure the soil has to be left for a while on
the glass plate, the soil is covered with evaporating dish or a damp cloth to
prevent the soil drying out.