LIQUID LIMIT TEST

Group 2
Introduction
› Adding water to dry soil changes its state of consistency
from hard to soft. While adding water to fine grained soil,
the water will change its consistency from hard to semi
hard. Continuously adding water will then again change its
state of consistency from semi hard to plastic and will
finally reach a liquid consistency stage. Upon reaching this
state, it has remain no cohesive strength to retain its shape
under its own weight. Its shape starts to deform. So the
amount of water which is responsible for this state of
consistency of soil is called liquid limit of soil. In short,
liquid limit can be defined as the minimum water content at
which the soil is still in the liquid state, but has a small
shearing strength against flow.
Procedure
› 1. Prepare a 250 grams of soil sample passing through the
sieve No.40 and mixed with the distilled water (100 ml).
› 2. Determine and record the weights of the three (3) cans
which will be used in the test for the moisture content
determination.
› 3. Calibrate the Casagrande liquid limit device by placing
the grooving tool, which has 10 mm height from the base to
the cup.
› 4. Thoroughly clean and dry the cup.
› 5. Evenly spread an amount of soil into the cup to create a
soil pat to be tested.
› 6. Using the grooving tool, create a straight groove
to the center of the soil pat.
› 7. Rotate the handle. Count the number of blows it
takes to close the groove.
› 8. Scooped out a sample soil, placed it in the pre-
weighed can. Record the new weight.
› 9. Sun- dry the soil sample for about 3 hours.
Record the weight of dry sample.
› 10. Repeat the test for three trials.
Results and Discussion
No. of trials Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Weight of empty can (g) 19. 5 19.5 19.5

No. of blows 25 30 28
Can + Wet Soil 49 47.5 55
Weight (g)
Can + Dry Soil 44.5 42 48.5
Weight (g)
Weight of water (g) 4.5 5.5 6.5

Weight of dry soil (g) 25 22.5 29

Moisture content (%) 18 24 22

Average moisture content (%) 21.33

Computations
𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡+𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 −(𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡+𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙)
Moisture content=
𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡+𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 − 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
Moisture content (%)= x 100
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
Trial 1:
Trial 3:

49 − 44.5 55 − 48.5
= 0.18 X 100 = 18% = 0.22 X 100 = 22%
44.5 − 19.5 48. 5 − 19.5

Trial 2: PI= LL- PL

= 21.33 %- 51.43 %
47.5 − 42
= 0.24 X 100 = 24% PI = -30.1%
42 − 19.5
Results and Discussion

› Different types of clays have different properties which

controls how much wetting is required to move a soil from
one phase to another such as across the liquid limit or the
plastic limit. Based on the activity conducted, the moisture
content in trials 1, 2 and 3 are 18%, 24% and 22%
respectively, with the average moisture content of 21.33%.
Therefore, the liquid limit of the soil sample is 21.33% and
will be used in determining the plasticity index (PI).
Whereas, the plasticity index is -30.1%.
Conclusion

› The amount of water present in the soil affects its

properties. Less, enough and too much water results to
change of its consistency, which are hard, semi hard and
plastic respectively. Liquid limit can be defined as the
minimum water content at which the soil is still in the liquid
state, but has a small shearing strength against flow.