ASSIGNMENT 2

1. Table used in classification of soils under different systems

ATTERBERG’S
LIMIT
10 SOLVED SAMPLE
PROBLEMS
 PROBLEM 1
A silty clay has a plastic limit of 25 and a plasticity index
of 30. If the clay has a liquidity index of 0.20.
1. Compute the water content of the clay.
2. Compute the degree of saturation if the Gs of the
clay is 2.70 and a void ratio of 0.92.
3. Compute the moist unit weight of the clay is the
void ratio is 0.92, Gs = 2.70
 Solution - 1
1. Water content
𝑤 − 𝑃𝐿 𝑤 − 25
𝐿𝐼 = 0.20 = 𝑤 = 31%
𝑃𝐼 30
2. Degree of Saturation

𝑆𝑒 = 𝑤𝐺𝑠 𝑆(0.92) = (31%)(2.70) S = 90.98%

𝐺𝑠𝛾
3. Unit 𝑤(1
wt. of + 𝑤) 𝛾 = 2.70(9.81)(1 + 0.31)
𝛾 =clay
1+𝑒 1 + 0.92

𝛾 = 18.91 𝐾𝑁/
𝑚3
 PROBLEM 2
Following are the results of a shrinkage limit test:
Initial volume of soil in a saturated state = 26.6 cm3
Final volume of soil in a dry state = 15.9 cm3
Initial mass of soil in a saturated state = 44 g
Initial mass of soil in a dry state = 30.1 g
Gs = 2.70
1. Shrinkage limit of the soil
2. Saturated unit weight if e = 30.1 g
3. Dry unit weight
 Solution - 2
1. Shrinkage 𝑚1−𝑚2 100 𝑉1−𝑉2 𝜌𝑤100
limit 𝑆𝐿 = -
𝑚2 𝑚2

𝑆𝐿 =
44−30.1 100 -24.6−15.9 (1)100
30.1 30.1 S𝐿 = 17.28%
𝛾𝑤(𝐺𝑠 + 𝑒)
2. Saturated unit weight
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 =
1+𝑒
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 9.81 (2.70 + 0.467)
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 21.18 𝐾𝑁/
=
1 + 0.467
𝑚3
3. Unit wt. of
2.70(9.81) 𝛾𝑑 = 18.06 𝐾𝑁/ 3
𝐺𝑠𝛾𝑤
clay
𝛾𝑑 = 𝑚
𝛾𝑑 = 1 + 0.467
1+𝑒
 PROBLEM 3
A sample was determine in the laboratory to have a
liquid limit of 41% and a plastic limit of 21.1%. If the
water content is 30%, determine the following:
1. Plasticity index
2. Liquidity index
3. What is the characteristics of soil?
a) Liquid
b) Plastic
c) Dense
d) Brittle solid
𝑃𝐼 = 𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿 Solution - 3
1. Plasticity
index
𝑃𝐼 = 41 − 21.1 𝑃𝐼 = 19.9

2. Liquidity index
𝑤 − 𝑃𝐿 30 − 21.1
𝐿𝐼 = 𝐿𝐼 = 𝐿𝐼 = 0.447
𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿 41 − 21.1
3. Characteristics of
soil
Note:
LI<0 – brittle
solid LI<1 – Since LI=0<0.447<1
plastics LI>1 - Therefore, it is plastic
Liquid
 PROBLEM 4
A soil has a liquid limit of 61 and a plastic limit of 30.
A moisture content test performed on an undisturbed
sample of this soil yielded the following results:
Mass of soil + can before placing in oven = 96.2 g
Mass of soil + can after removal from oven = 71.9
g Mass of can = 20.8 g
1. Compute the plasticity index
2. Compute the moisture content
3. Compute the liquidity index
 Solution - 4
1. Plasticity
index
𝑃𝐼 = 𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿 𝑃𝐼 = 61 − 30 𝑃𝐼 = 31

2. Moisture content
96.2 − 20.8 − (71.9 − 20.8)
𝑊𝑤 𝑤=
𝑤= 71.9 − 20.8
𝑊𝑠 𝑤 = 0.476 = 47.6%
3. Liquidity
index
𝑤 − 𝑃𝐿
𝐿𝐼 = 47.6 − 30
𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿 𝐿𝐼 = 𝐿𝐼 = 0.568
61 − 30
 PROBLEM 5
Laboratory test results for a sample of clay soil for the
purpose of evaluating the potential for volume change
(swelling, expansion) are as shown:
LL = 68% PL = 24%
Particles smaller than 0.002 mm = 44%
1. Compute the plasticity index
2. Indicate the activity classification for this clay.
3. The rate of the volume change potential (refer to table)
a) Very high
b) Medium
c) Low
d) normal
 Solution - 5
1. Plasticity
index
𝑃𝐼 = 𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿 𝑃𝐼 = 68 − 24 𝑃𝐼 = 44
2. Activity classification for clay
𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡
44
𝐴= 𝐴=1
44
3. The rate of the volume change potential
Note:
LI > 60 and PI > 35 – very high
LL = 50 – 60 and PI = 25 – 35 –
Therefore, very high
medium
LL < 50 and PI < 25 - low
 PROBLEM 6
The following are results from the liquid and plastic limit
test for a soil.
No. of blows (N) Moisture content
(%)
15 42
20 40.8
28 39.1
The plastic limit is 18.7%.
1. Compute the liquid limit using table.
2. What is the plasticity index of the soil.
3. What is the liquidity index if the water content is 24%.
4. What is the consistency index.
 Solution - 6
1. Liquid
limit
 Solution - 6
2. Plasticity index

𝑃𝐼 = 𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿 𝑃𝐼 = 39.1 − 18.7 𝑃𝐼 = 20.4

3. Liquidity index
𝑤 − 𝑃𝐿
𝐿𝐼 =
𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿
4. Consistency
index 24 − 18.7
𝐿𝐼 = 𝐿𝐼 = 0.20
𝐿𝐿 − 𝑤 39.1 − 18.7
𝐶𝐼 =
𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐼
 39.1 −
24 𝐶𝐼 = 0.81
𝐶𝐼 =
39.1 −
20.4
 PROBLEM 7
In a liquid limit, using a cone penetrometer, the
following readings were recorded and tabulated:
PLASTIC LIMIT TEST
Trial Unit wt. (KN/m3) Dry Unit wt.
(KN/m3)
1 128.6 105.4
2 141.4 116.8
3 132.6 109.6
4 134.5 111.2
5 136.0 113.4
 PROBLEM 7
LIQUID LIMIT TEST
Moisture content (%) Cone Penetration
(mm)
42.5 16.0
47.5 17.5
58.1 22.8
60.0 26.0
1. Determine the liquid limit of the soil
2. Determine the plasticity index of the soil.
3. If the natural water content of the soil is 38%,
determine the liquidity index.
 Solution - 7
1. LIQUID LIMIT
 Solution - 7
𝛾
2. PLASTICITY INDEX𝛾𝑑 = 1 + 𝑤

Tria Unit wt. Dry Unit wt. w

l (KN/m3) (KN/m3)
1 128.6 105.4 0.22
2 141.4 116.8 0.21
3 132.6 109.6 0.21
4 134.5 111.2 0.21
5 136.0 113.4 0.20
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑤 = 0.21 = 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = 21%

𝑃𝐼 = 𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿 𝑃𝐼 = 52 − 21 𝑃𝐼 = 31
 Solution - 7
3. LIQUIDITY INDEX

𝑤 − 𝑃𝐿
𝐿𝐼 = 38 − 21 𝐿𝐼 = 0.55
𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿 𝐿𝐼 = 52 − 21
 PROBLEM 8
The following data shows the results of liquid limit and
plastic limit.
1. Compute the liquid limit.
2. Compute the plasticity index.
3. Compute the liquidity index.
PROBLEM 8
 Solution - 8
1. Liquid
limit
 Solution - 8
1. Liquid
limit
 Solution - 8
2. Plastic
limit
 3. Liquidity index
Solution - 8
Kt7y
 PROBLEM 9
A water content test was performed on a specimen of soil. The following data was
obtained:

Mass of empty container = 105.6 g

Mass of the container plus wet soil = 530.8 g

Mass of the container plus dry soil = 483.7 g

Calculate the water content of the soil.

Solution:

Mass of water = 530.8 − 483.7 = 47.1 g

Mass of dry soil = 483.7 − 105.6 = 378.1 g

From Table 3.3: w (%) = 100 (Mw/Ms) = 100 (47.1/378.1) = 12.5%

PROBLEM 10
In a falling head permeameter test, the time required for the water in a standpipe to fall
from ho = 1.58 m to hf = 1.35 m is 11.0 hours. The clay specimen has a diameter of
6.35 cm and a length L of 2.54 cm. The diameter of the standpipe is 0.635 cm. Calculate
the hydraulic conductivity.

Solution:

For the standpipe, diameter = 0.635 cm, therefore a = 0.317 cm2

For the specimen, diameter = 6.35 cm, therefore A = 31.7 cm2

ho = 1.58 m, hf = 1.35 m, t = 11 hr = 39,600 seconds, L = 2.54 cm

From Table 3.14: k = 2.3 [(aL)/(At)] log (ho/hf) = 2.3 [(0.317)(2.54)/ (31.7)(39,600)]
log (1.58 /1.35) = 1.0 × 10−7 cm/sI
 2. Discuss the different standard procedures used for determining field unit weight of compaction

a. The calibration of the cone

A sufficient amount of sand was placed in the plastic container with the metal cone to fill it. Before usage, the device

was weighed and the weight was recorded (W1). The cone was then put on the table over the base plate, and the valve

was opened, allowing sand to fly into the cone and fill it. The valve was closed and the equipment was weighed again

once the sand flow into the cone had totally stopped. The final weight was then recorded (W2).

b. After the calibration of the sand

After filling the plastic container with enough sand to fill the metal cone and the calibration cylinder, the equipment

was weighed and the weight before use was recorded. The cone was placed on a flat surface above the calibration

cylinder, and the valve was opened so that sand flew and filled the cone and the cylinder; when the flow of sand

stopped, the valve was closed, and the apparatus was weighed again, with the final weight after use recorded; later, the

sand cone apparatus was filled with sand, and the weight before usage was recorded.

c. After all calibrations (Field`s work)

The base plate was fixed by standing on its edges since no nails were provided, the hole diameter is similar to the

diameter of the base plate which is 15cm, then a hummer and a chisel were used to dig the hole deep vertically below

the opening of the base plate, then a spoon was used to move any loose material inside the hole in the university

parking lot (any materials with a diameter more than 20 mm was returned to the hole not to result in an increase in the

volume, (those materials were arranged in the hole such that the minimum volume of voids was kept), after the burying

was done, and care was taken not to lose any material, the nylon bag into which the field sample was inserted was

sealed so that nothing is lost. The sand cone apparatus was placed over the hole and the valve was opened so that sand

flew in the hole and cone. When the flow ended, the valve was closed.

d. Returning to the lab

The gallon's weight remained sand, and the cone was calculated. Weighing the wet dirt in the nylon bag as the weight

of moist soil from the field. The sample was then baked for 24 hours, and the weight of the sample was calculated as

the weight of dried soil after that time.