CE 382

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory

Field Identification Tests of

Fine Grained Soils
Shantanu Paul
Lecturer
Department of Civil Engineering
BUET
2 Soil Classification
3 Soil Classification
Use Atterberg
limits

Gravel Sand Silt and

Boulders Cobbles Clay
Coarse Fine Coarse Medium Fine

300 mm 75 mm No.4
No.200
4.75 mm
19 mm No.10 No.40 0.075
mm
2.0 mm 0.425 mm
4 Soil Classification
Name Size limit (mm) Familiar Example

Boulders >305 Larger than Basketball

Cobbles 76-305 Grapefruit

Coarse Gravel 19-76 Orange or Lemon

Fine Gravel 4.75-19 Grape or Pea

Coarse Sand 2-4.75 Rock Salt

Medium Sand .425-2 Sugar or Table Salt

Fine Sand .075-.425 Powdered Sugar

Fines <.075 -
5

Objectives

By visual and
physical means and
Identify and For fine grained
Classify soils on without any
describe the subsoil (organic and
field. specialized
condition on field. inorganic) soils.
laboratory
instruments.
 6 Significance
• The first step in any geotechnical engineering project is to identify and describe the subsoil
condition.
• For example, as soon as a ground is identified as gravel, engineer can immediately form some
ideas on the nature of problems that might be encountered in a tunneling project.
• In contrast, a soft clay ground is expected to lead to other types of design and construction
considerations.
• Therefore, it is useful to have a systematic procedure for identification of soils even in the
planning stages of a project.
• Soils can be classified into two general categories: (1) coarse grained soils and (2) fine grained
soils. Examples of coarse-grained soils are gravels and sands. Examples of fine-grained soils are
silts and clays. Procedures for visually identifying fine grained soils are described in the following
sections.
 7 References
• ASTM D 2488-00 : STANDARD PRACTICE FOR DESCRIPTION AND
IDENTIFICATION OF SOILS (VISUAL-MANUAL PROCEDURE).

• ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF SOILS BASED ON LABORATORY

TESTING, PROF. KRISHNA REDDY, UIC.

• PECK, R.B., HANSON, W.E., THORNBURN, T.H., 1974, FOUNDATION

ENGINEERING, 2ND EDITION, JOHN WILEY & SONS.
8 Equipments
• Wash Bottle

• Dish

• Wooden Hammer

• Spatula

• Beaker

• Stirring Glass Rod

• Steel Rod
 Equipments

9
Wooden
Wash Bottle Dish Spatula
Hammer

1/8 inch Steel

Stirring Rod
Beaker Rod
10 Experiments
Color and Odor

Dry Strength Test

Dilatancy Test

Plasticity and Toughness Test

Dispersion Test
 Color and Odor Test
 Observed and note the color and odor of the soil.
 A representative sample of the material has to be selected for
examination.
11  Particles larger than the #40 sieve
has to be removed until a specimen
equivalent to about a handful of
material is available.
 Color and Odor Test
 Color although not an important physical property in itself, is an indication of more
important properties. For example:

Color Inference

Yellow and Red Severe weathering (Iron Oxide)

12
Dark greenish brown Colloidal organic matter

Black Black cotton soil

Black/Brown/Dark green Organic soil

Grey/ Light brown Inorganic origin

 If the soil (fresh sample) contains distinctive odor of decaying materials, then soils of
organic origin can be suspected
 Dry Strength Test
 From the air dried sample, a soil fragment of 1/8” in size (ball shaped) has to be
prepared.
 The soil fragment has to be pressed between thumb and forefinger.
 The effort required to break the fragment provides a basis for describing the strength as
13 very low/none, low, medium, high, or very high.
 Dry Strength Test

14
ASTM
Criteria
 Dilatancy Test
 The soil sample has to be properly grind with the wooden hammer to have sufficiently
fine fragments of soil.
 The water has to be added and a sample of soft putty consistency has to be made.
 Enough sample has to be taken in the palm of the hand to mold it into a ball of about
15 (1/2)” diameter.
 Dilatancy Test
 The soil ball has to be smoothened in the palm of one hand with the
blade of a knife or a small spatula.
 The back of the hand has to be lightly tapped several times. The soil pat
16 can be deformed by squeezing too.
 The reaction of water appearing on the surface of
the soil has to be observed.
 Dilatancy can be described as none, slow, or rapid.
 Dilatancy Test
 Lightly tap the back of the hand several times and observe. Note the
reaction of water appearing on the surface of the soil. The reaction is the
speed with which water appears while shaking.
17  Deform the soil pat by squeezing. Note the reaction of water
disappearing from the surface of the soil. The reaction is the speed with
which water disappears while squeezing.
 Dilatancy Test

18
ASTM
Criteria
 Plasticity and Toughness Test
 Water and soil has to be mixed to form an ellipsoidal mass of the sample
without sticking in the hand.
 The sample has to be then rolled into a thread of about (1/8)” diameter.
19  The thread has to be folded and rolled repeatedly until the thread
crumbles at a diameter of (1/8)”.
 The thread will crumble at a diameter
of (1/8)” when the soil is near the plastic
limit.
 Plasticity and Toughness Test
 It has to be checked whether the thread can support its own weight or
not.
 After the thread crumbles, the pieces should be lumped together and
20 kneaded until the lump crumbles.
 It has to be noted whether it can be molded back into a coherent mass
(lump) or not.
 The toughness of the material has to be noted during kneading.
 Plasticity can be described as non-plastic, low, medium, or high.
 Toughness can be described as low, medium, or high.
 Plasticity and Toughness Test

21
ASTM
Criteria
 Plasticity and Toughness Test

22
ASTM
Criteria
 Dispersion Test
 Some water has to be taken in the beaker and soil has to be mixed by
properly stirring with the glass rod.
 The soil has to be allowed to settle in the soil-water mixture
23  The time required to settle down the soil sample has to be recorded.
 24
Identification
Toughness of Time to Settle in
Typical Name Dry Strength Dilatancy Reaction
Plastic Thread Dispersion Test

Sandy silt None to very low Rapid Weak to friable 30 sec to 60 min

Silt Very low to low Rapid Weak to friable 15 to 60 min

Clayey silt Low to medium Rapid to slow Medium 15 min to several hours

Sandy clay Low to high Slow to none Medium 30 sec to several hours

Silty clay Medium to high Slow to none Medium 15 min to several hours

Clay High to very high None Tough Several hours to days

Organic silt Low to medium Slow Weak to friable 15 min to several hours
Medium to very
Organic clay None Tough Several hours to days
high
 Identification

Soil Symbol Dry Strength Dilatancy Toughness

Low or thread
ML None to low Slow to rapid
cannot be formed
25
CL Medium to High None to slow Medium

MH Low to medium None to slow Low to medium

CH High to very high None High

 Sample Data Sheet

26
27
Thank You

Any Questions?
 CE 342
Geotechnical Engineering Sessional
Determination of Specific Gravity of Soil

Department of Civil Engineering,

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Specific Gravity
❑ Ratio of the mass of a given volume of material at a temperature to the mass of an equal
volume of distilled water at same temperature.
𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑡 𝑇℃
❑ 𝐺𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑇℃ =
𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑇℃

❑ For Geotechnical Engineering purpose, Gs is reported for water temperature at 20℃.

𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑎𝑡 𝑇℃
❑ 𝐺𝑠 𝑎𝑡 20℃ =
𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 20℃

𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑎𝑡 𝑇℃ 𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑇℃

= ×
𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑇℃ 𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 20℃

𝑮𝒘 𝒂𝒕 𝑻℃
= 𝑮𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝑻℃ ×
𝑮𝒘 𝒂𝒕 𝟐𝟎℃
Scope and Significance
❑ ASTM D 854-02 : Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water
Pycnometer.
❑ Test is performed to determine specific gravity of soil passing 4.75 mm sieve
❑ Used in the phase relationship (Porosity, void ratio, degree of saturation) and
density calculation.
❑ Can be associated with the soil’s mineral composition and weathering
Typical Values of Specific Gravity
❑ The specific gravity of the solid substance of most inorganic soils varies between
2.60 and 2.80.
❑ Sand particles composed of quartz have a specific gravity ranging from 2.65 to
2.67.
❑ Inorganic clays generally range from 2.70 to 2.80.
❑ Soils with large amounts of organic matter or porous particles (such as
diatomaceous earth) have specific gravities below 2.60. Some range as low as 2.00.
Equipment

Pycnometer Balance Vacuum Pump Heating

Arrangement
Equipment

Funnel Spoon Dish

Procedure

1. Determine and record the weight of the

empty clean and dry pycnometer.

2. Measure 50 gm soil and place the measured

soil in the pycnometer.
Procedure

3. Add tap water to fill approximately ¾ of pycnometer.

4. Soak the sample for about 10 minutes.

Procedure

5. Heat the sample until the water in the soil-water

mixture start to boil.

6. Apply vacuum to the contents to remove the

entrapped air
Procedure

7. Fill the pycnometer with water to the mark and keep for
one day to bring it to the room temperature.

8. Next day take the weight of the pycnometer filled with

water and soil sample.
Procedure

9. Empty the pycnometer and clean it. Then fill it with

water to the mark.

10. Determine the weight of the pycnometer

and water.
Procedure

11. Determine the room temperature with thermometer.

Sample Data Sheet
 + - =

Ws W2 W1
Specific Gravity of Water at Different Temperatures
Sieve Analysis of Soil
Sieve Analysis

❑ To determine the grain size distribution of soil samples

❑ Two types of soil- Coarse Grained and Fine Grained Soil

❑ A sieve analysis consists of shaking the soil through a stack of wire screens

with openings of known sizes.

❑ Sieve analysis does not give any idea about the shape of the particles.

❑ SW, SP, GW, GP, CL, CH, ML, MH,

Scope and Significance

❑ The distribution of different grain sizes affects the engineering properties of

soil.

❑ Uniformity coefficient Cu, coefficient of curvature, Cc are determined and all

these information are used for classification.

❑ ASTM D 422–63: Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils.

Standard Sieves
Sieve No. Opening size (mm)
4 4.75
8 2.36
16 1.18
30 0.60
50 0.30
100 0.15
200 0.075
Pan ------
Particle Size Classification
Equipment

Balance

A set of Sieve Shaker

sieves

Dish Spoon
Procedure
Sample Data Sheet
Typical Grain Size Distribution Curve
Different Parameters

❑ Effective Size, d10

❑ Uniformity Coefficient, Cu

❑ Coefficient of Gradation, Cc
Instructions for Report Writing
❑ Title
❑ Objective
❑ Scope and Significance
❑ Equipment
❑ Data Table
❑ Sample Calculation
❑ Graph (if any)
❑ Result
❑ Discussion
 CE 342
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING SESSIONAL

EXPERIMENT 04
HYDROMETER ANALYSIS OF SOIL

Department of Civil Engineering,

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

Presented By-
Shantanu Paul
Lecturer
Department of Civil Engineering,
BUET

July, 2022
PURPOSE 2
• This experiment is performed to determine the percentage
of different grain sizes contained within a fine grained soil.
The hydrometer analysis is performed to determine the
distribution of the finer particles (usually passing #200
sieve). The data are plotted on a semi-log plot of percent finer
versus grain diameters to represent the particle size
distribution. Both sieve analysis and hydrometer analysis are
required to obtain the complete gradation curve of the coarse
and fine fraction of many natural soils.
SIGNIFICANCE 3
• The distribution of different grain sizes affects the

engineering properties of soil. Grain size analysis

provides the grain size distribution and it is required in

classifying the soil.

• It is possible to approximate the percentage of silt and clay

particles present in the finer portion from the hydrometer

analysis.

Standard Reference: ASTM D7928

HYDROMETER ANALYSIS 4

Stokes law

D2 w (GsL− G )
v=
18
Soil + Water +
Dispersing Agent
= Suspension
v=

D=
 HYDROMETER 5
• An ASTM hydrometer, graduated to read in either specific
gravity of the suspension or grams per liter of suspension.
• 151H or 152H Hydrometer.
• Dimensions of both hydrometers are the same, the scale
being the only item of difference.
• 152H : -5 to +60 g/L graduated/marked.
• ASTM 152H hydrometers are calibrated such that when
inserted in a soil water suspension the reading on the
hydrometer stem indicates grams of soil that are in 1000cc
suspension of the density at the center of the bulb.
EQUIPMENT 6

BALANCE MEASURING CYLINDER (100 ml)

EQUIPMENT 7

MIXING POT MIXING POT

EQUIPMENT 8

DISH SPOON
EQUIPMENT 9

152H HYDROMETER

- 5 gm/l

60 gm/l
EQUIPMENT 10

MIXER CONTROL CYLINDER

SEDIMENTATION
CYLINDER (1000 ml)
EQUIPMENT 11

STOP WATCH WASH BOTTLE RUBBER STOPPER

DISPERSING AGENT 12

• A solution of sodium hexametaphosphate (or sodium

metaphosphate) NHMP (NaPO3)6, shall be used in
distilled water.

• Concentration = 40 g/l
• Prevents flocculation of soil particles
PROCEDURE 13

• Take 50 gm of the soil sample to the mixing pot.

PROCEDURE 14

• Take 100 ml NHMP (NaPO3)6 in the

measuring cylinder and stir the mixture
until the soil is thoroughly wet. Let the
soil soak for at least ten minutes.
PROCEDURE 15

• ADD NHMP (NaPO3)6 TO THE MIXING POT AND WATER TO FILL ½-¾ OF IT.
PROCEDURE 16

• TAKE THE SOIL SLURRY TO THE MIXER

AND MIX THE SOLUTION FOR A PERIOD
OF ABOUT 2 MINUTES.
PROCEDURE 17

• STOP THE MIXER AND REMOVE THE

MIXING POT. CAREFULLY WASH THE SOIL
SOLUTION IN THE MIXER WITH A WASH
BOTTLE.
PROCEDURE 18
• IMMEDIATELY TRANSFER THE SOIL SLURRY INTO THE EMPTY SEDIMENTATION
CYLINDER, WASH THE SOIL SOLUTION IN THE MIXING POT AND ADD WATER INTO THE
SEDIMENTATION CYLINDER UP TO THE MARK.
PROCEDURE 19
• COVER THE OPEN END OF THE CYLINDER WITH A STOPPER AND SECURE IT WITH
THE PALM OF YOUR HAND. THEN TURN THE CYLINDER UPSIDE DOWN AND BACK
UPRIGHT FOR A PERIOD OF ONE MINUTE (BUT MORE TIME MAY BE REQUIRED TO
MIX THE SOIL). (THE CYLINDER SHOULD BE INVERTED APPROXIMATELY 30 TIMES
DURING THE MINUTE.)
 PROCEDURE 20
• SET THE CYLINDER DOWN AND START TO RECORD THE TIME. REMOVE THE
STOPPER FROM THE CYLINDER. AFTER AN ELAPSED TIME OF 15 SECONDS,
VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY INSERT THE HYDROMETER FOR THE FIRST
READING. (NOTE: IT SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 10 SECONDS TO INSERT OR
REMOVE THE HYDROMETER TO MINIMIZE ANY DISTURBANCE, AND THE
RELEASE OF THE HYDROMETER SHOULD BE MADE AS CLOSE TO THE
READING DEPTH AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID EXCESSIVE BOBBING).
PROCEDURE 21
• The reading is taken by observing the top of the
meniscus formed by the suspension and the
hydrometer stem. The hydrometer is removed
slowly and placed back into the control cylinder.
very gently spin it in control cylinder to remove
any particles that may have adhered.

• Take hydrometer readings at 15 sec, 30 sec, 1

min, 2 min, 4 min, 8 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 hr.,
2 hrs., 4 hrs., 8 hrs., 16 hrs., 24 hrs., and 48 hrs.
These are approximate times that will usually
give a satisfactory plot spread.
PROCEDURE 22

• TAKE THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER

IN THE CONTROL CYLINDER DURING
EVERY HYDROMETER READING.
 COMPOSITE CORRECTION 23
• Zero Correction: Equations for percentages finer are based on the use of distilled
or demineralized water. A dispersing agent is used in the water, however, and the
specific gravity of the resulting liquid is appreciably greater than that of distilled
or demineralized water. Thus deflocculating agent increases the density of the
suspension and the hydrometer immerses less than actual. Hence, the observed reading
is more than actual correct reading. So, the error is positive and the correction is
negative.
• Meniscus Correction: Hydrometers are graduated by the manufacturer to be read
at the bottom of the meniscus formed by the liquid on the stem. Since it is not
possible to secure readings of soil suspensions at the bottom of the meniscus,
readings must be taken at the top and a correction applied. Hydrometer is
graduated in ascending order and the observed reading is less than corrected
reading. So, the error is negative and the correction is positive.
TEMPERATURE 24
CORRECTION
• Temperature Correction: Both soil hydrometers are
calibrated at 68°F (20°C), and variations in
temperature from this standard temperature produce
inaccuracies in the actual hydrometer readings. The
amount of the inaccuracy increases as the variation
from the standard temperature increases. At
temperatures greater than 20°C, density of suspension
deceases and the hydrometer immerses more than
actual. Hence, the observed reading is less than actual
correct reading. So, the error is negative and the
correction is positive. At temperatures less than 20°C,
density of suspension increases and the hydrometer
immerses less than actual. Hence, the observed reading
is more than actual corrected reading. So, the error is
positive and the correction is negative.
 -5
MENISCUS 0 25
5
CORRECTION 10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
 SAMPLE CALCULATION
Given Data:
• Elapsed Time, t=0.25 min (let)
• Hydrometer Reading R0=35 (let)
• Meniscus Correction, Cm=0.5
• Zero Correction, Cz=3.5 (let)
• For R1=0, L1=10.6 cm; For R2=60, L2=0 cm;
• Length of the bulb, Lb=14cm.
• Volume of the bulb, Vb=58cm3.
• Area of the jar, Aj=27.8cm3.
• % of Passing #200 sieve, P=21.5%
• Sp. Gravity of the soil, Gs=2.74

26
RL(corrected for meniscus only) =R0+Cm
Lb L − L2 V
L= + L1 − 1 .(R L − R1) − b
2 R 2 − R1 2A j

From Table 2, for T=28.250 w= 0.9962 gm/cc

From Table 3, for T=28.250 ŋ= 8.32 millipoise
Effective depth, L = 16.29– 0.1641RL
30( poise) L(cm)
D (mm) = .
gm t(min)
980.7*(Gs -1) w ( 3
)
cm

For T=28.250, CT = +2.6

27
CALCULATIONS 27
PARTICLE SIZE
CALCULATIONS 28
PERCENT FINER
• Percent Finer, P = aRc/W*100
✓ a = Correction factor for different specific gravities of soil particles
✓ Rc = Corrected reading
✓ W = Weight of soil

ding RC = RL - CZ ± CT

a = 1.65Gs/2.65(Gs-1)
Adjust the percent fines for combined
curve as follows:

Where, F200= % finer of #200 sieve as a percent

TABLE-2 SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF WATER AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE

00C 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0 0.9999 0.9999 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.9999 0.9999 0.9998
10 0.9997 0.9996 0.9995 0.9994 0.9993 0.9991 0.9990 0.9988 0.9986 0.9984
20 0.9982 0.9980 0.9978 0.9976 0.9973 0.9971 0.9968 0.9965 0.9963 0.9960
30 0.9957 0.9954 0.9951 0.9947 0.9944 0.9941 0.9937 0.9934 0.9930 0.9926
40 0.9922 0.9919 0.9915 0.9911 0.9907 0.9902 0.9898 0.9894 0.9890 0.9885
50 0.9881 0.9876 0.9872 0.9867 0.9862 0.9857 0.9852 0.9848 0.9842 0.9838
60 0.9832 0.9827 0.9822 0.9817 0.9811 0.9806 0.9800 0.9795 0.9789 0.9784
70 0.9778 0.9772 0.9767 0.9761 0.9755 0.9749 0.9743 0.9737 0.9731 0.9724
80 0.9718 0.9712 0.9706 0.9699 0.9693 0.9686 0.9680 0.9673 0.9667 0.9660
90 0.9653 0.9647 0.9640 0.9633 0.9626 0.9619 0.9612 0.9605 0.9598 0.9591
 TABLE 3 VISCOSITY OF WATER IN MILLIPOISE AT DIFFERENT
Temp
0C 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0 17.94 17.32 16.74 16.19 15.68 15.19 14.73 14.29 13.87 13.48
10 13.10 12.74 12.39 12.06 11.75 11.45 1.16 10.88 10.6 10.34
20 10.09 9.84 9.61 9.38 9.16 8.95 8.75 8.55 8.36 8.18
30 8.00 7.83 7.67 7.51 7.36 7.31 7.06 6.92 6.79 6.66
40 6.54 6.42 6.30 6.18 6.08 5.97 5.87 5.77 5.68 5.58
50 5.29 6.40 5.32 5.24 5.15 5.07 4.99 4.92 4.84 4.77
60 4.70 4.63 4.56 4.50 4.43 4.37 4.31 4.24 4.19 4.13
70 4.07 4.02 3.96 3.91 3.86 3.81 3.76 3.71 3.66 3.62
80 3.57 3.53 3.48 3.44 3.40 3.36 3.32 3.28 3.24 3.20
90 3.17 3.13 3.10 3.06 3.03 2.99 2.96 2.93 2.90 2.87
100 2.84 2.82 2.79 2.76 2.73 2.70 2.67 2.64 2.62 2.59
 COMBINED GRAPH (HYDROMETER + SIEVE ANALSIS)

Grainsize Distribution Curve

100

[Link]. = 2.74 Combined curve

80
Percent finer

60 For fraction passing

#200 sieve only

40

20

0
10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001
Diameter, mm
 29

THANK YOU!
 CE 342
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING SESSIONAL

Expt. 5: Atterberg Limit Test

(ASTM D4318 for LL and PL
ASTM D427 for SL)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING,

BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, DHAKA,
BANGLADESH.

July, 2022
 Atterberg Limits
Water contents at which soil behavior
changes from one phase to another phase.

Four states, three boundaries between

the states

Addressed by Atterberg, A Swedish

Scientist in 1911

2
 Atterberg Limits
• Liquid Limit (LL) is defined as the moisture content at which soil begins to
behave as a liquid material and begins to flow (Liquid limit of a fine-grained
soil gives the moisture content at which the shear strength of the soil is
approximately 2 kN/m2)
• Plastic Limit (PL) is defined as the moisture content at which soil begins
to behave as a plastic material
• Shrinkage Limit (SL) is defined as the moisture content at which no
further volume change occurs with further reduction in moisture content.
(SL represents the amount of water required to fully saturate the soil (100%
saturation))

3
 Atterberg Limits
LL: The lowest water
content above which soil
behaves like liquid, normally
below 100.
PL: The lowest water
content at which soil
behaves like a plastic
material, normally below 40.
PI: The range between LL
and PL.
Shrinkage limit: the water
content below which soils
do not decrease their
volume anymore as they
continue dry out. –needed
in producing bricks and
ceramics .

4
Volume-water content relation and
consistency of soil

Double Layer Free Water

Adsorbed water
water

5
 Stress-Strain Relationship for
Different Consistencies of Soil
stress stress stress

strain strain strain

Solid Semi-Solid Plastic Liquid

6
 Liquid Limit (LL)

• In the lab, the LL is defined as the moisture content

(%) required to close a 2-mm wide groove in a soil
pat a distance of 0.5 in along the bottom of the
groove after 25 blows.

• ASTM D 4318

• Soil sample size 250g passing # 40 sieve

• Equipment: Casagrande liquid limit device

7
 Casagrande’s Apparatus

A mechanical device consisting of a brass cup suspended from a carriage designed

to control its drop onto the surface of a block of resilient material that serves as the
base of the device.
8
Grooving Tool

9
Determination of Atterberg Limits
For fraction passing #40 (425m) Sieve
•Rate = 2 blows/second

•Record number of blows required

for 0.5” closing of grove

•Determine moisture content of

that soil

Water content at which

25 blows required to
close 0.5” of the grove is
called Liquid Limit 10
 Procedure for Liquid Limit Determination
(Multipoint Method)
➢ 250g moist soil passing # 40 sieve
➢ Add approximately 20% of water- mix thoroughly
➢ Place the soil in the Casagrande’s cup and using a spatula,
smoothen the surface so that the maximum depth is about 8mm.
➢ Using the grooving tool, cut a groove at the center line of the soil
cup
➢ Crank the device at a rate of 2 revolutions per second until there
is a clear visible closure of 1/2” or 12.7 mm in the soil pat placed
in the cup. Count the number of blows (N) that caused the
closure
➢ If N= 15 to 40, collect the sample from the closed part of the cup
using a spatula and determine the water content.
➢ Additional soil shouldn’t be added to make the soil dry, expose the
mix to a fan or dry it by continuously mixing it with the spatula
➢ Determine the corresponding w% after 24 hrs and plot the N vs
w%, called the “flow curve”.
11
Procedure for Liquid Limit Determination (contd)

7/6/2021 12
Liquid Limit Determination
Flow Curve
y = -11.48ln(x) + 96.387
Water Content (%) 70

60 Flow Line

50
LL = 59

40
10 Number Blows (N) 100

Slope of the flow line is called “Flow Index”.

It is used to determine “Toughness Index”.
13
 Plastic Limit (PL, wP)
➢ The moisture content at which a thread of soil just begins
to crack and crumble when rolled to a diameter of 1/8
inches
➢ Plastic limit is the lower limit of the plastic stage of soil

14
 Plastic Limit

• 1. Mix thoroughly about 15 g

of the moist soil.
• 2. Roll the soil on a glass
plate with the hand until it is
1/8-in. diameter.
• 3. Repeat step 2 until a 1/8-in.
diameter thread shows signs
crumbling.
• 4. Take some of the crumbling
material obtained in step 3 for
a water content determination.

Water content of the crumbled thread is “Plastic Limit”.

15
 Shrinkage Limit
A saturated clayey soil, when gradually dried, will lose moisture.
During process of drying, a condition will be reahed when any further drying will result
in a reduction of moisture content without any decrease in volume. This moisture
content is defined as shrinkage limit
The term shrinkage limit, expressed as a water content in percent, is typically
assumed to represent the amount of water required to fill the voids of a given cohesive
soil at its minimum void ratio obtained by drying (usually oven).

16
 Shrinkage Limit
V-Vo

VV(SL)

V V0

At LL
M=Mw+M0 Phase diagram
At SL
V=Vw+Vs Volume, V=Vs+ Vv(SL)
If Gs is known
Initial water V
content: w w = v w 100
Ws
V and Vo can be determined by mercury Ws
Vv =V −
displacement method (wt divided by 13.55w) G s w
17
 Procedure (Volume of Wet Soil Pat)
• Make the soil paste of liquid consistency
• Coat the inside of the shrinkage dish with a thin layer of petroleum
jelly, silicone grease, or similar lubricant to prevent the adhesion of
the soil to the dish.
• Determine and record the mass in grams of the empty dish, MT.
• Place the shrinkage dish in the shallow pan in order to catch any
mercury overflow.
• Fill the shrinkage dish to overflowing with mercury.
• Remove the excess mercury by pressing the glass plate firmly over
the top of the shrinkage dish.
• Determine the volume of mercury held in the shrinkage dish either
by means of the glass graduate or by dividing the measured mass of
mercury by the mass density of mercury (equal to 13.55 Mg/m3).
• Record this volume in cubic centimetres of the wet soil pat, V.

18
 Procedure (Preparation of Soil Pat)
• Place an amount of the wetted soil equal to about on third the volume
of the dish in the center of the dish, and cause the soil to flow to the
edges by taping the dish on a firm surface cushioned by several layers
of blotting paper or similar material.
• Add an amount of soil approximately equal to the first portion, and tap
the dish until the soil is thoroughly compacted and all included air has
been brought to the surface. Add more soil and continue the tapping
until the dish is completely filled and excess soil stands out above its
edge.
• Strike off the excess soil with a straightedge, and wipe off all soil
adhering to the outside of the dish. Immediately after it is filled and
struck off, determine and record the mass in grams of the dish and wet
soil, MW.
• Allow the soil pat to dry in air until the color of the soil turns from dark
to light. Oven-dry the soil pat to constant mass at 110±5°C (230±9°F). If
the soil pat is cracked or has broken in pieces, prepare another soil
pat using a lower water content. Determine and record the mass (in
grams) of the dish and dry soil, MD. 19
 Procedure (Volume of Dry Soil Pat)
• Place the glass cup in the shallow pan in order to catch any mercury
overflow.
• Fill the glass cup to overflowing with mercury.
• Remove the excess mercury by pressing the glass plate with the
three prongs firmly over the top of the cup.
• Place the evaporating dish in the shallow pan in order to catch any
mercury overflow. Place the cup filled with mercury in the
evaporating dish and rest the soil pat on the surface of the mercury
(it will float).
• Using the glass plate with the three prongs gently press the pat
under the mercury and press the plate firmly over the top of the cup
to expel any excess mercury. Observe that there is no air trapped
between the plate and mercury,
• Measure the volume of the mercury displaced into the evaporating
dish either by means of the glass graduate or by dividing the
measured mass of mercury by the mass density of mercury.
• Record the volume in cubic centimetres of the dry soil pat, Vo.
20
M = wet soil mass = MW - MT
Mo = dry soil mass = MD - MT 21
 Atterberg Limits - Derived Indices
1) Liquidity Index or water plasticity ratio
NMC - PL
LI = --------------------------- (1)
LL - PL
where LL - moisture content at the Liquid Limit
PL - moisture content at the Plastic Limit
and NMC (natural moisture content) is the actual current
moisture content of the soil
LI = 0 at Plastic Limit
LI = 1 at Liquid Limit

22
 Atterberg Limits - Derived Indices
2) Plasticity Index (PI)

This is defined as PI = LL - PL ----------------------- (2)

Soils with high clay content have a high Plasticity Index.

3) Flow Index, If = slope of flow curve

4) Toughness Index,

The value of toughness index varies from 0 to 3.0

for most soils. A value of toughness index less than
1 indicates that the soil is friable at the plastic limit. 23
 Atterberg Limits - Derived Indices

The flow index is the rate at a soil

mass loses its shear with an
increase in water.

Figure shows the flow index of two

soils (1) and (2). The soil (2) with a
greater value of flow index has a
steeper slope and possesses lower
shear strength as compared to soil
(1) with a flatter slope.

In order to decrease the water

content by sane amount, the soil
with a steeper slope takes a
smaller number of blows, and,
therefore, lower shear strength.

24
 Plasticity Chart

Say, LL=60, PL=40, PI=20 25

USCS Soil Classification for fine grained soil

26
 CE 342
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING SESSIONAL

EXPERIMENT NO- 06
Relative Density of Sand

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING,

BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, DHAKA,
BANGLADESH.

July, 2022
 Relative Density ofSand
Purpose
to determine the relative density of cohesionless, free-draining soils
using a vibrating table.

Significance
Relative density and percent compaction are commonly used for
evaluating the state of compactness of a given soil mass. The
engineering properties, such as shear strength, compressibility,
and permeability, of a given soil depend on the level of
compaction.

Standard References
ASTM D4253 (Maximum Density) & D4254 (Minimum Density)
Relative Density Equation

e max − e m e a s u re d
D r (%) = x1 0 0
e max − e min

emeasured
emin emax

dmax d measured d min

increasing density
Review of Relative Density Principles

• Relative Density principles apply to compaction of relatively

clean, coarse-grained soils.
• Relatively clean usually taken to be less than 15 % fines
• Compaction Tests are not commonly performed on soils with
15 % or fewer fines
• Small percentage of fines means soils cannot easily hold
water to examine range of water and effect on dry density
Compacting Clean Sands
• Vibration most effective energy for sands
• Use smooth-wheeled vibratory roller
 Minimum IndexDensity
• Methods
• Method A—Using a funnel pouring device or a
hand scoop to place material in mold.
• Method B—Depositing material into a mold by
extracting a soil filled tube.
• Method C —Depositing material by inverting a
graduated cylinder.

Method A
❑ Free fall of soil particles from funnel

❑ Fall height = 0.5” or less

❑ Spiral motion in horizontal plane

❑ Steady flow of soil vertically

Minimum IndexDensity

• Minimum index density of

clean sand is that resulting
from very loosely filling a steel
mold.
Minimum IndexDensity
• Fill the mold with the soil
(approximately 0.5 inch to 1
inch above the top of the
mold) as loosely as possible by
pouring the soil using a scoop
or pouring device (funnel).
• Spiraling motion should be just
sufficient to minimize particle
segregation.
• After filling the mold, excess
soil is carefully screed off.
The volume of this mold is 0.1
ft3. Knowing the weight of soil
in the mold, the dry density is
easily computed
Maximum Index Density

• These test methods are applicable to soils that may contain up to

15%, by dry mass, of soil particles passing a No. 200 (75-μm) sieve,
provided they still have cohesionless , free-draining characteristics
• Maximum index density is not the absolute maximum density of the
soil. So, Dr = 100+ possible
• Example of Minimum dry density = 85.5 pcf
• Maximum index density of clean sand results from vibration at high
amplitude on vibratory table for 10 minutes.
• ASTM D4253
• Example of Maximum dry density = 111.5 pcf
Maximum Index Density

• Surcharge = 2 psi = 13.8 kPa during vibration

• Thickness of surchage plate = 12.75 mm
• Height of sand after densification = 155 – 12.75 - s

155
mm

152 mm After 10 min vibration

Maximum Index Density
Maximum IndexDensity
Weight on
sample
inside sleeve

Vibratory
table
Maximum Index Density

Weight on
sample inside
sleeve

Vibratory
table
Maximum Index Density

Sample
densified by
vibration

Measure 
height to
determine
new d
Plate on which weight sits
during vibration
Field Density or InSitu Density
Direct Methods
Sand cone method (ASTM D1556)
Nuclear method (ASTM D2922, D5195, D6031)
Drive-cylinder method (ASTM D2937)
Sleeve method (ASTM D4564)
Sand replacement method (ASTM D4914)
Water replacement method (ASTM D5030)
Time domain reflectometry (ASTM D6780)
Indirect Methods
DCP (ASTM D6951)
SPT (ASTM D1586)
Sand Cone Method
 Calculations

  d ( field ) −  d (min)   d (max) 

Dr (%) =    100
 d (max) −  d (min)  d ( field ) 

 d ( field )
R(%) = 100
 d (max)

note : e =
 wGs
−1
d
Void Ratio and Dry Density Example
The void Ratio is calculated for each state of
denseness of sample.
Maximum void ratio occurs at minimum index
density - For Example Min.d = 96.0 pcf
Minimum void ratio occurs at maximum index
density For Example Maximum d = 110.0 pcf

Gs  
e = water
−1
 dry
 Minimum and Maximum VoidRatios

❖ First Calculate void ratio at Minimum d

Gs  water 2.65  62.4

e max = −1 = − 1 = 0.7225
dry 96.0

Gs  water 2.65  62.4

e min = −1 = − 1 = 0.5033
dry 110.0
Calculate Void Ratio of CompactedSand

Now, assume that the density of this

sand was measured in a compacted fill
and it was 102.5 pcf. Calculate a value
for relative density of the fill. First,
calculate the void ratio of the fill:

Gs  water 2.65 62.4

e= −1 = −1 = 0.6133
dry 102.5
Compute Relative Density

•Now, use the values of void ratio in the

relative density equation:

em a x − e m e a s u r e d
Rd (%) = x1 0 0
emax − emin

0.7225 − 0.6133
Rd (%) = x100 = 49.9 ( % )
0.7223 − 0.5033
Compute Relative Density
•Relative Density Equation
(rewritten in dry density terms)
•Solve for Example:

 d max( d
−  d min )
Dr (%) = 100
 d ( d max−  d min )
110.0(102.5 − 96.0 )
Dr (%) = 100 = 49.8(% )
102.5(110.0 − 96.0)
 THANK YOU

QUESTIONS