Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GUWAHATI

NAME: YOGESH NAUTIYAL ROLL NO: 234104212 PROGRAMMES: M. TECH

LIQUID LIMIT TEST

1. OBJECTIVE
To determine the liquid limit of a soil by Casagrande apparatus by obtaining a relationship
between water content and number of blows.

2. NEED AND SCOPE

1. The liquid limit test is used in the classification of the soil.
2. The liquid limit test gives an idea of the consistency of the soil in the field if the in-situ
moisture content is known. from the results of the liquid limit test, the compression
index may also be estimated. the compression index value helps in settlement analysis.

3. REFERENCES
1. IS: 2720 (Part 5)-1985
2. ASTM D4318

4. APPARATUS REQUIRED

1. Casagrande Apparatus.
2. Grooving tool (Casagrande or ASTM tool).
3. Porcelain Evaporating Dish- 12cm diameter or, Flat Glass Plate- 10mm thick and 45 cm
square or larger.
4. Spatula.
5. Palette Knives.
6. Wash bottle containing distilled water.
7. Air-tight containers to determine moisture content.
8. Balance sensitive to 0.01gm.
9. Thermostatically controlled oven to with interior of no-corroding material to maintain the
temperature between 105ºC to 110ºC.

5. OBSERVATIONS

Mass of dry soil sample = 120 gm

TRIAL NO 1 2 3 4

NUMBER OF BLOWS 10 20 30 34

CONTAINER NO. P1 W2 W7 V36

WT. OF CONTAINER, (W1) g 16.869 19.700 21.751 20.910

WT. OF CONTAINER + WET SOIL (W2) g 22.820 27.320 27.610 28.060

WT. OF CONTAINER + DRY SOIL (W3) g 21.150 25.230 26.049 26.150

WT. OF WATER, g 1.670 2.090 1.561 1.910

WT. OF OVEN DRY SOIL, g 4.281 5.530 4.298 5.240

MOISTURE CONTENT,
39.010 37.794 36.319 36.450
%

6. GRAPH

y = -2.255ln(x) + 44.287
LIQUID LIMIT CHART
42

41

40
MOISTURE CONTENT, %

39

38

37

36

35

34

33

32
1 10 100
NUMBER OF DROPS
7. RESULTS

Liquid limit (WL) = 37.02 %

(𝑾𝟐−𝑾𝟏)
Flow index (If) = (𝒍𝒐𝒈𝑵𝟏−𝒍𝒐𝒈𝑵𝟐) ×100

39.01−36.45
= 𝑙𝑜𝑔(34)−𝑙𝑜𝑔(10) × 100

= 4.82

8. PRECAUTION

1. Liquid limit equipment should be clean, dry and in good working order,
and calibrated so that the cup falls freely with an exact height of 1cm and
it does not have too much side play at its hinge.
2. Grooving tool should be dry and clean.
3. Free fall of the cup should be exactly one centimetre for one revolution.
4. The soil should be properly mixed with water.
5. The point of contact between the cup and the base should be clean
and freefrom soil.
6. Weighing should be done accurately.

9. CONCLUSIONS

1. The liquid limit of the given soil is 37.02%. If the natural moisture content of soil is
higher than liquid limit, the soil can be considered as soft and if the moisture content is
lesser than liquid limit, the soil is brittle and stiffer.
2. The liquid limit test is a fundamental tool in soil characterization and geotechnical
engineering. It provides essential data that influences engineering decisions, construction
practices, and safety considerations, making it a critical step in the assessment and
management of soil properties.