SOLD & SERVICED BY :

EN KAY ENTERPRISES
605, Padma Tower ll,
22, Rajendra Place,
NEW DELHI 110 064, INDIA
TEL :00- 91-11-41539634;25864447
FAX : 00-91-11-41539633
E-mail : enkayenterprises@gmail.com
www.enkaymachine.com
SCOPE

The basic principle is to observe depths of penetration of soils at

various initial moisture contents of a metal cone of certain weight and

apex angle with the point barely touching the surface is allowed to

drop into the surface. The standardization has been to identify liquid

limit water content for a specified depth of penetration.

APPARATUS

The apparatus consists of a base body of cast aluminium with three

leveling screws. A vertical shaft of steel, chrome plated, is fixed on

the base and an adjustable bracket with tightening screw is fixed on

the vertical shaft.

The bracket houses a dial mechanism with 400 divisions having

graduations of one tenth of a millimeter. A penetration cone is fixed at

the bottom of the bracket and is tightened with a screw.

The dial mechanism has rack and pinion arrangement for observing

the penetration.

Two aluminium flat bottom containers are supplied as standard

having the following dimensions.

Diameter of the container : 55 mm

Internal Depth : 35 mm

Diameter of the container : 70 mm

Internal Depth : 45 mm

CONE :

The apparatus is also supplied with a Cone of stainless steel 35 mm

long with a smooth polished surface and an angle of 30 o. Complete

facilities exist for adjusting the cone height in relation to the specimen

by moving the bracket housing the cone on the shaft.

ELECTRONIC TIMER

The time of penetration of the cone is automatically controlled using

timing head and an Automatic Electronic Timer. The timer supplies

220V smoothed D.C. output to the timing head precisely for 30

seconds to allow the cone to freely penetrate the soil in the trough.

At the end of 30 seconds, the timer automatically de-energizes the

releasing electromagnet and relocks the cone. The reading is

taken from the scale. This eliminates errors and gives reproducible

results.

SOIL SAMPLE*

Soil sample weighing about 150 grams from thoroughly mixed portion

of the soil passing through a sieve of 425 microns shall be used for

determining the moisture content by Cone Penetration method.

TEST PROCEDURE

 About 150 grams of soil as explained above (*) shall be worked

well into a paste with addition of distilled water.

 In the case of highly clayey soils, to ensure uniform moisture

distribution, it is recommended that the soil in the mixed state is

left for sufficient time (24 Hours) in an air tight container.

 The wet soil paste shall then be transferred to the cylindrical

cup, ensuring that no air is trapped in this process.

 The wet soil is then leveled up to the top of the cup and placed

on the apparatus.

 The bracket housing the cone shall be so adjusted that the cone

point just touches the surface of the soil paste in the cup.

 The initial reading on the dial is adjusted to zero by moving the

rack mechanism or noted down as shown on the graduated dial.

 The cone is then released by operating the electronic timer

allowing the cone to penetrate in to the soil paste.

 The penetration of the cone after 5 seconds shall be noted to

the nearest millimeter.

 If the difference in the penetration lies between 14 and 28 mm,

the test is repeated with suitable adjustments to moisture either

by addition of more water or exposure of the spread paste on a

glass plate for reduction in water content.

 The test shall then be repeated at least to have four sets of

values of penetration in the range of 14 to 28 mm.

 The exact moisture content of each trial shall be determined as

per the relevant Standard.

DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT

A graph representing water content on the y- Axis and the cone

penetration on the x-Axis shall be prepared. The best fitting

straight line os the drawn.

The moisture content corresponding to cone penetration of 20 mm

shall be taken as the liquid limit of the soil and shall be expressed

to the nearest first decimal place.

REPORT

The results of observations of the test shall be recorded suitably.

The Liquid Limit shall be reported to the nearest first decimal

place, that is, natural state, air-dried or unknown, the pre-

treatment, if any to the soil, shall be reported.

After each test, the cone shall be wiped clean of any soil and dried

before starting the next test.