PLASTIC LIMIT TEST

6.1 Plastic Limit Test ( Refer to ASTM D-698 )

6.1.1 Purpose
The intent of this testing is to determine the water content of soil in plastic condition.
The plastic limit is water content limit which soil changes condition from plastic to semi
plastic condition.
6.1.2 Equipment or tools
- Glass plate 45 x 45 x 0.9 cm
- Weight with accuracy 0.01 gram
- Oven
6.1.3 Method of testing
- Take sample in adequately dry condition and screen in sieve no.40.
- The sample is added with water and mixed until the water content is uniform then
shape the soil sample to produce balls weighing 8 gram each. The soil balls sample
should than be hand roll on the glass plate at speed of 80-90 of rolling per minute.
- Hand rolling shall be continued until the sample is shaped to stick with diameter of
3 mm. should the samples crack before reaching 3 mm, then the sample shall be
reformed and added with adequate water and mix until water content is uniform to
repeat (b) and (c) to several times until the cracking of rolled sample occurs at
3mm diameter and record the water content
- This water content indicates the plastic limit

6.2 Standard Proctor Test (Refer to ASTM D-698)

6.2.1 Purpose
The intent of this testing is to determine the relationship between water content and soil
compaction, by compacting the soil sample in a cylindrical mould of 4” in diameter and
4.584” in height with the use of impact tool weighing 5.5 lbs at free falling distance of
12”.
6.2.2 Soil Sample Requirement
a. If the soil sample is damp, it shall be dried by natural means or dryer at temperature
not to exceed 600 C until it become loss however the original soil granules still
intact (not broken).
b. The dried soil sample is then screened through sieve no. 4 screen and the sample
that passed through the screen shall be used in this test.
c. The screened sample shall be at least 12.5 kg. Divided into 5 parts at 2.5 kg each
part.
d. Each sample part shall be added with pre-determined quantity of water and mixed
until it becomes homogeneous. The difference of water content in each sample
part shall be at least 2-4%.
 e. Each sample part shall be put in a sealed plastic for at least 12 hours or until the
water content ensured to be uniform.
6.2.3 Method
a) Weigh the mould with diameter 4 “(A1).
b) Assemble the mould, neck and support base and position it in a levelled and rigid
ground condition.
c) Take one sample (from 5 samples) and then perform compaction with impact
tool of 5.5 lbs in mould at 3 approximately equal layers. Every layer shall be
compacted at 25 blows. Continue the same method for the remaining 4 samples.
d) Remove the surplus material with scraper tool to flush with the upper surface
edge of the mould and then weigh the mould filled with sample (A2).
e) Take 500 gram sample as per ASTM D 698 part 10.4.9 of the soil sample to
determine the water content.

6.2.4 Calculation Result

a. Wet Density

() = A2-A1 (gr/cm³)

V

 = Wet density (gram/cm³)

A2 = Weigh mould + soil (gr)

A1 = Weigh mould (gr)

V = Volume mould (cm³)

b. Dry Density

dry = Wet
1+ (W/100)

dry = dry density (gram/cm³)

W = Water content (%)

c. Draw a graphical relationship between dry density weights against the water
content from result of trial. The graph will determine the maximum dry density
(MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC)

d. Draw zero air voids line with calculation :

 dry = G.γw
1+ (G.w)

G = specific gravity of soil

w = specific gravity of water (gram/cm³)

d = dry density (gram/cm³)

W = water content (%)

e. Acceptance criteria

As per Specification.