TEST 3: ATTERBERG LIMITS

Definition:
Atterberg limits are boundary water contents. Depending on these limits,
fine-grained soils can be divided into four states of consistency, namely
solid, semisolid, plastic and liquid states.
Volume

𝑷𝑰

Solid Semi-solid Plastic state Liquid state

state state

𝑺𝑳 𝑷𝑳 𝑳𝑳
Water content

In current engineering usage, the term “Atterberg limits” usually refers only to
the liquid limit, plastic limit, in some references, the shrinkage limit:

Liquid Limit (𝑳𝑳): the water content at which the soils will flow under a specified
small disturbing force.
Plastic Limit (𝑷𝑳): the water content at which the soil can be deformed
plastically.
Plasticity index (𝑷𝑰): is the range of water content over which the soil is in the
plastic condition. Where 𝑃𝐼 = 𝐿𝐿 – 𝑃𝐿
Shrinkage Limit (𝑺𝑳): the water content at which the soil stops shrinkage further
and attains a constant volume.
Purpose and significance:
• To determine the Liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index of fine-
grained soils.
• It is used to classify the fine-grained soils.
• It is used to correlate with engineering behavior such as compressibility,
hydraulic conductivity (permeability), compatibility, shrink-swell, and
shear strength.

Standard Reference:
ASTM D 4318 - Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
Plasticity Index of Soils
LIQUID LIMIT TEST
The liquid limit is determined by performing trials in which a portion of the
specimen is spread in a brass cup, divided in two by a grooving tool, and
then allowed to flow together from the shocks caused by repeatedly
dropping the cup in a standard mechanical device.
The multipoint liquid limit requires three or more trials over a range of water
contents and the data from the trials plotted to make a relationship from
which the liquid limit is determined.
The one-point liquid limit uses the data from two trials at one water content
multiplied by a correction factor to determine the liquid limit.

Apparatus:
1. Liquid limit device with Casagrande grooving tools.
2. Sieve No. 40 (425 μm).
3. Soil-mixture equipment: porcelain/mixing dish, spatula, plastic squeeze bottle.
4. Balance readability of 0.01 g.
5. Container for the determination of water content.
6. Oven maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 ∓ 5 °C.

Specimen preparation:
Obtain a representative portion from the total sample sufficient to provide
150 to 200 g of material passing the 425-μm (No. 40) sieve. Mix it thoroughly
with distilled water on the glass plate or mixing dish using the spatula. Place
the prepared mixture in a storage dish, cover to prevent loss of moisture
and allow to cure for at least 16 h (overnight). After the standing period and
immediately before starting the test, thoroughly remix the soil.
Test Procedure: Casagrande apparatus – Multipoint method
1. Using a spatula, place a portion of the previously prepared soil in the
cup of the liquid limit device at the point where the cup rests on the
base. Squeeze it down to eliminate air bubbles and spread it into the
cup to a depth of about 1 cm at its deepest point. The soil pat should
form an approximately horizontal surface.
2. Form a groove in the soil pat using the grooving tool to cut a clean
straight groove from back to front through the sample at the center of
the cup. The tool should remain perpendicular to the surface of the
cup as groove is being made.
3. Turn the crank of the apparatus at a rate of 2 rps. Count the number
of drops required to close the groove along a distance of 13 mm. If
the number of drops exceeds 50, then go directly to step 5, otherwise
record the number of drops (𝑵) on the data sheet.
4. Take a sample, using the spatula, from edge to edge of the soil pat
where the groove came into contact for water content
determination. Place the sample into a container of known mass (𝒘𝒄 ),
immediately weigh the container with the wet soil, record its mass
(𝒘𝒄+𝒘𝒔 ), and place it into the oven. Leave it in the oven overnight and

then weigh the container containing the dry soil (𝒘𝒄+𝒅𝒔 ). Return the
soil remaining in the cup to the dish. Wash and dry the cup and
grooving tool for the next trial.
5. Remix the entire soil specimen in the mixing dish. Add a small amount
of distilled water to increase the water content and decrease the
number of drops required to close the groove.
6. Repeat the previous steps for at least two additional trials producing
successively lower numbers of drops to close the groove. It is
recommended that the three trials cover the drops range of (25-35)
(20-30) and (15-25), respectively.
Calculation:
The liquid limit can be determined as follows:
1. Determine the water content (𝒘) from data of step 4 and for each
trial using the following equation:
𝑤𝑐+𝑤𝑠 − 𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠
𝒘= × 100
𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠 − 𝑤𝑐

2. Using a semi-logarithmic chart plot the water content (𝒘) as ordinate

(on linear scale) and the corresponding number of drops (𝑵) as
abscissa (on log scale)
3. Draw the best straight line fitting the plotted points. This is called the
“Flow line”.
4. Draw a vertical line representing 25 blows and where it intersects the
flow line draw the horizontal line to the water content axis. Read off
this value of water content as the liquid limit of the soil and round it to
the nearest whole number.

50

Flow line
40
Water content, W (%)

LL = 32%
LL
30

20

10

0
10 20 25 30 40 50
Number of blows, N
PLASTIC LIMIT TEST
The plastic limit is determined by alternately pressing together and rolling
into a 3.2 mm (1⁄8-in.) diameter thread a small portion of plastic soil until its
water content is reduced to a point at which the thread crumbles and can
no longer be pressed together and re-rolled. The water content of the soil
at this point is reported as the plastic limit.

Apparatus:
1. Smooth glass surface for rolling the thread.
2. Container for the determination of water content.
3. Balance readability of 0.01g.
4. Oven maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 ∓ 5 °C.

Specimen preparation:
Take about 20 g or more of soil from the material prepared for the liquid limit
test. Reduce the water content of the soil to a consistency at which it can
be rolled without sticking to the hands.

Test Procedure: Hand rolling method

1. Select a (1.5-2.0) g portion from the prepared specimen and form it into
an ellipsoidal mass.
2. Roll the soil mass between fingers/palm and the glass plate with just
sufficient pressure to form a uniform thread of 3.2 mm diameter (The rate
of rolling should be a bout 80-90 strokes per minute, counting one stroke
when the hand moves forward and backward to the starting point),
taking no more than 2 minutes.
3. If the diameter of the thread becomes less than 3 mm without cracks, it
shows that the water content is more than the plastic limit. Knead the
soil to reduce the water content, and roll it again to a thread.
 4. Repeat the process of alternate rolling and kneading until the thread
crumbles and the soil can no longer be rolled into thread.
5. Collect the pieces of the crumbled soil thread (at least 6 g) in a moisture
content container, and determine its water content.
6. Repeat the procedure on another specimen to make another container
holding at least 6 g of soil, and determine its water content.

Calculation:
The plastic limit can be determined as follows:
1. Determine the water content (𝒘) for the two trials (from data of step
5 and 6) using the following equation:
𝑤𝑐+𝑤𝑠 − 𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠
𝒘= × 100
𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠 − 𝑤𝑐
2. Compute the average of the two water contents and round to the
nearest whole number, this value is the plastic limit, 𝑷𝑳.
Note that If the two water contents differ by more than 0.5 %, repeat
the whole test.

Calculate the plasticity index,

𝑷𝑰 = 𝑳𝑳 − 𝑷𝑳
where:
𝐿𝐿 = liquid limit (whole number), and
𝑃𝐿 = plastic limit (whole number).
 ATTERBERG LIMITS DETERMINATION
DATA SHEET

Date tested:
Tested by:
Class:
1- Liquid Limit Test
Specimen number

Container number

Mass of container, 𝑤𝑐 (g)

Mass of container and wet specimen, 𝑤𝑐+𝑤𝑠 (g)

Mass of container and oven dry specimen, 𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠 (g)

Water content, 𝑤 (%)

Number of drops, (𝑁)

1- Plastic Limit Test

Specimen number
Container number

Mass of container, 𝑤𝑐 (g)

Mass of container and wet specimen, 𝑤𝑐+𝑤𝑠 (g)

Mass of container and oven dry specimen, 𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠 (g)
Water content, 𝑤 (%)

Group names:
1-
2-
3-
4-
5-
Supervisor signature
Discussion
Answer the following questions by referring to the relevant Standards and
textbooks. You should incorporate the answers to this into your report, and
attach it as an appendix.

1. Can a liquid limit be more than 100%? Explain

2. Can plastic limit be more than liquid limit? Explain

3. From a geotechnical and construction point of view, why is a soil

hazardous if it has a very low plasticity index?

4. What is the plasticity chart and what is its purpose?

5. What is the main purpose of a soil classification system?