Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

BatStateU Alangilan
Alangilan, Batangas City
College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts
https://batstate-u.edu.ph/, Tel. No. (043) 425-0139 loc. 118/2121

Civil Engineering Department

Academic Year 2021-2022

First Semester

Laboratory Report No. 4

Geotechnical Engineering
Ce 411

Submitted by:
Aaron James M. Walangsumbat
Ce-3109

Submitted to:
Engr. Jomin Dennis M. Miembro

November 04, 2021

CALIBRATION OF LIQUID LIMIT DEVICE (AASHTO T 89)

I. INTRODUCTION
The liquid limit device is used to determine when clay soils transition from a
plastic to a liquid condition. This hand-operated gadget has a left-side adjustable crank
and cam mechanism, a firm rubber base, a detachable brass cup, and a blow counter.
There are several versions available, each of which complies with the various Standards
now in use. They are similar in shape but differ in the type of base and cup weight.
Furthermore, all models are available in both manual and motorized variants. Grooving
tools, which are also used to refer to the various Standards, are not included and must
be purchased individually.

II. OBJECTIVE
 To demonstrates the procedure for correctly adjusting a manual liquid limit device.
 To inspect the liquid limit device prior to use by checking points of contact, wear
areas, connecting screws and pin play,

III. TOOLS/EQUIPMENTS USED

1. Liquid Limit Device
2. Piece of Masking Tape
3. Guage Block
4. Grooving Tool

IV. DATA ANALYSIS

A. Methodology
Points of contact includes the bottom of the cup and the base of the machine at the
point where the cup contacts the base. It should not be greater than 13 millimeters or
approximately half an inch in diameter. Wear areas includes the grooving line and front
rim of the cup. When an indentation or groove in the cup surface can be felt, it is time to
replace the cup. If it is not, proceed to the calibration of the liquid limit device.

To Calibrate the Liquid Limit Device

1. Check the two connecting screws that hold the cup to the hanger arm for
tightness.
2. Check the cup for side-to-side play indicating that the pin that holds the cup to
the machine is worn.
 3. Verify the cup drop height daily through flipping the cup up and place a piece of
masking tape on the bottom of the cup so that a straight edge of the tape bisects
the point of contact on the cup.
4. Lower the cup to the base and slide the gauge block between the base and the
cup along the grooving line until the gauge block contacts the edge of the tape.
5. Hold the gauge block so that it lies flat on the base and turn the crank.
6. Watch the cup for movement, if no contact is made between the hanger arm and
cam, the drop height is set too low and must be adjusted. Do this by loosening
the set screw on top of the machine and turned the adjustment screw on the rear
of the machine to move the cup closer to the cam. Then tighten the set screw.
7. Reposition the gauge block so that it is level with the base and in contact with the
tape and turn the handle. If the cup rises and drops back down to the gauge
block, the drop height is set too high and must be adjusted.
8. To reduce the drop height, loosen the set screw and turn the adjustment screw
on the rear of the machine to move the cup away from the cam.
9. Tighten the set screw and reposition the gauge block. Turn the handle and watch
the cup. The cup drop height is set correctly when contact is being made
between the hanger arm and cam and the cup does not rise off the gauge block.
A ringing or slight clicking sound may be heard along with the slight movement in
the cup.
10. The final step is to remove the tape from the bottom of the cup to prevent an
error in testing.

B. Observation
To set the liquid limit device correctly, the cup of the liquid limit device should
be set with the height of 1cm or 10mm from the base of the machine at the point
where the cup contacts the base.

V. CONCLUSION
I conclude that it is critical to calibrate the liquid limit device to ensure that the drop
height is accurate. The test results will be erroneous if the drop height is incorrect. It's
also important to remember to calibrate the liquid limit device every time we utilize it for a
test.

VI. REFERENCE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2fiqIcgD5s&list=PLcMsoiHA99vda028LGY4sllnAjfiU
pyPx&index=5