Liquid Limit (LL)

The liquid limit is measured using

a device depicted in Figure 4.3
A soil sample is placed in the
brass cup
A groove is then cut in soil sample
using a tool
The brass cup is then dropped
until the groove closes
• The liquid limit is defined
as moisture content
which requires 25 blows
to close a groove of 12.5
mm, when the brass cup
is dropped by a cam from
a height of 10 mm
• The
  relationship between moisture content and , where is the
number of blows needed to close the gap, is assumed to be
linear, and this curve is the flow curve

• is the flow index

• This curve may be used to estimate the liquid limit when it is
difficult to meet the required closure at 25 blows

Note that ⍹2 and ⍹1 are exchanged to yield a positive value even though the
slope of the flow is negative
One-Point Method

•  The one-point method estimates the liquid limit based

on a single trial, and is generally valid for :

• is the number of blows required to close the groove, is

the corresponding moisture content, and
Fall Cone Method

• The
  fall cone method defines the liquid
limit as the moisture content at which a
standard cone (apex angle of , weight of
0.78 N) penetrates 20 mm in 5 seconds
when dropped from point contact with the
soil surface
•  The flow index for the fall cone test may be defined as:

• The curve relating penetration distance to moisture content may

be then be used to determine the moisture content at which the
cone penetrates 20 mm, which is the liquid limit