Soil Classification

tests - plasticity
Classification Tests
 Moisture content
 Bulk density
 Particle density
 Particle size

 Porosity
 Voids ratio
 Degree of saturation
Ideal soil Model
Bulk density = wet mass
V
Air
Dry density dry mass
Va
V
Particle density = dry mass
Water
Vs
Vw

Volume of voids Vv = Va + Vw
Total
sample
Volume of solids = dry mass
particle density
V
Soil
Vs Saturation = Vw
Vv

Air voids = Va
V

Void ratio = Vv
Vs
 Moisture content

Moisture content = mass of water %

mass of dry soil

Moisture content = mass of wet soil - mass of dry soil %

mass of dry soil

Note the moisture content is expressed as a

percentage of the soil dry weight

In the laboratory the soil is placed in a small tin

The tin and contents are weighed the sample is
then placed in an oven at a temperature of 105 o C
The importance of moisture content

What is the average moisture content of soil such as

London Clay ?
20 to 35%
What is the moisture content of sand and gravel?
less than 10 %
What is the moisture content of peat?
150% to >250%

Remember these are expressed as % dry weight

How does moisture content vary with depth?
How does strength vary with Moisture content?
Effects of moisture content
 Plasticity
Plastic limit
The point at which soil begins to loose cohesion

Liquid limit
The point at which the soil begins to act as a fluid
Plasticity index test

The plastic limit is the moisture content at which a

bead of soil 3mm in diameter will begin to crack.
Liquid limit
 Plasticity index – liquid
limit test
The test is repeated at four separate moisture contents.
The results are plotted and should give a straight line.
The liquid limit is the moisture content at which the
penetration of the cone is 20mm.

The result of the liquid limit plastic limit and plastic index
should be reported together with the natural moisture
content.
Casagrande plasticity chart
 Shrinkage limit

Definition,
The point at which the soil stops shrinking i.e.
Changing volume.
This parameter cannot be readily
determined.
The linear shrinkage value can be
measured, usually in a semicircular
trough. Shrinkage can then be
measured linearly and recorded as a
percentage of the initial length
Consistency Index
Eurocode uses the consistency index to define terms
such as very soft; soft; firm; stiff and very stiff.
Consistency Index Ic is defined as :-

Ic = wL – w
wL - wp

Where w = soil moisture content

wL = liquid limit
wp = plastic limit
Consistency index
(BS EN ISO 14688-2:2004)

Consistency Consistency index Consistency index

Lower limit Upper limit

Very soft 0 0.25

Soft 0.25 0.5

Firm 0.5 0.75

Stiff 0.75 1.00

Very stiff >1.00

Why carry out plasticity tests?

 The plasticity indices in conjunction with

moisture content can be used to determine:-
 Moisture deficiency
 Shrinkage and swelling potential

 Trafficability

 Pavement design

 Suitability as fill

 Uniformity of strata properties

 Consolidation history

 Determination of correction

factors for field vane tests.

Why carry out plasticity tests?

The correlation between undrained shear strength and

plasticity index for normally consolidated clays
(Skempton, 1963)

cu/σv’ = 0.11 + 0.0037 Ip

or for over consolidated clays (after Ladd)

(cu/σv’ )OC= (cu/σv’ )NCOCR0.8

cu = Undrained Shear Strength σv’ = Vertical effective stress

Ip = Plasticity Index OCR = Over Consolidation Ratio,
 Why carry out plasticity tests?

The correlation between undrained shear strength and plastic

limit – e.g. Lias Clay
 Why carry out plasticity
tests?
 The correlation between residual angle of shearing
resistance and plasticity index – e.g. Glacial Till
Shrinkage potential

It has been shown that the plasticity index is directly related

to the ability of a clay to shrink or swell. The table below
indicates this potential:

Plasticity index % Volume change potential

Over 35 Very high

22 to 35 High

18 to 22 Medium

Less than 18 low

 Shrinkage potential

The design of depth of spread footings making allowance

for the effect of trees & hedgerows in shrinkable soils
(NHBC Standards Ch 4.2)
Based on Modified Plasticity Limit, I’p
I’p = Ip x (% less than 425 µm)/100%
Modified Volume Change
Plasticity index % Potential
Over 40 High

20 to 40 Medium

10 to <20 Low