FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA SHAH ALAM

LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE COURSE CODE LEVEL OF OPENNESS CATEGORY DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) PERIOD OF ACTIVITY

GEOTECHNICAL LABORATORY ECG428 1 PARTIALLY OPEN 33 1 WEEK (WEEK 6)

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES TEST: DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT AND PLASTIC LIMIT OF FINE GRAINED SOILS

Introduction Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity is hope to slowly introduced and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a much harder task of open ended laboratory activities. The term plasticity is applied to silt and clay indicates an ability to be rolled and molded without breaking apart. The Atterberg Limit is defined as the water content corresponding to the different behavior condition of silt clays. Atterberg Limits only refer to the liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL) and shrinkage limit (SL). Liquid Limit is defined as the water content at which pat soil, cut by a groove of standard dimensions, will flow together for a distance of 12.7 mm (0.5 in) under a impact of 25 blows in a standard liquid limit device (ASTM D 4318-98, 2000). PREAMBLE Plastic Limit is defined as the water content at which a silt or clay will just begin to crumble when rolled into a thread approximately 3.2 mm (1/8 in) in diameter (ASTM D 4318-98,2000). Shrinkage Limit is defined as the water content at which any further reduction in water content will not result in a decrease in volume of the soil mass (ASTM D 427-98 or D 4943-95,2000). For the liquid limit test, we have 2 methods of test, which include: 1. Cone penetration method 2. Casagrande method Objectives 1. To find the water content corresponding to the behavior change between the liquid and the plastic state of a silt or clay. 2. To find the water content corresponding to the behavior change between the plastic and semisolid states of a silt or clay. FKA, UiTM, SHAH ALAM February 2013

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA SHAH ALAM

LABORATORY MANUAL

Learning Outcomes At the end of the laboratory activities, students should be able to: 1. To determine the plasticity and liquidity of fine grained soils. 2. To classify fine grained soils in accordance to BS 5930: 1999: Code of Practice for Site Investigation. 3. Work in a group to produce the relevant technical report.

The physical state of a fine-grained soil at particular water content is known as consistency. Consistency refers to the relative ease at which a soil can be deformed. Depending on its water content a soil may exist in liquid, plastic, semisolid or solid state. A Swedish agriculturist Atterberg (1911) set arbitrary limits for these divisions in terms of water content. PROBLEM STATEMENT Liquid limit (L)is the water content corresponding to the arbitrary limit between liquid and plastic state. With reference to the liquid limit devise it is defined as the minimum water content which a pat soil cut by a groove of standard dimensions, will flow together for a distance of 12 mm ( inch) under the impact of 25 blows in standard liquid limit apparatus.

Liquid Limit Test using Casagrandes Apparatus (Figure 1) Apparatus Casagrande liquid limit apparatus, grooving tool, glass plate, spatula, balance, oven, containers, dessicator, 0.425 mm sieve, etc. Procedures 1. Clean the apparatus and adjust height of drop of the cup using adjustment screws. 2. Take about 150 g of soil sample, passing though 0.425 mm sieve. 3. Form uniform paste of the soil sample by mixing it with distilled water on glass plate. Leave the soil paste for some time to let the water permeate thoroughly. 4. Fill the cup half with the paste and make surface level using spatula. 5. Cut a V shape groove ( 2 mm wide at bottom, 11 mm at top, and mm deep ), along cup diameter using grooving tool. 6. Turn the handle of the apparatus at the rate of 2 revolutions per second. Count the number of blows required to cause the groove to close along a distance of about 10 mm. 7. Collect a soil sample for water content determination by moving the spatula from one edge to the other edge of the soil cake at right angles to the groove. Record the weight of sample and keep it in oven.

WAYS & MEANS

Figure 1: Casagrandes Apparatus FKA, UiTM, SHAH ALAM February 2013

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA SHAH ALAM

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LABORATORY MANUAL

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Remove the remaining soil from the cup. Change the consistency ( water content ) of the mix either by adding some water or leaving the soil paste to dry. repeat step (3) for four times. The soil paste in this repetition should be of such a consistency that numbers of revolution (drop) to close the groove are 10. (It is always better to proceed from drier to the wetter condition of the soil). Record dry weights of soil sample kept in oven after 24 hours.

Liquid Limit Test using Cone Penetrometer Apparatus (Figure 2) Apparatus Test sieve of size 425 um and 2 mm, receiver, sharp knife, 2 palettes knife, an airtight container, glass plate, wash bottle containing distilled water, glass breaker, glass stirring rod and a length of rubber tubing for connection to the water supply. Procedures 1. Take a sample of the soil of sufficient size to give a test specimen weight at least 400 g which passed the 425 um test sieve. 2. Transfer the soil to a flat glass plate. Add distilled water and mix thoroughly with 2 palettes knives the mass becomes a thick homogeneous paste. 3. If necessary add more distill water so that the first cone penetration reading is about 15 mm. 4. Push a portion of the mixed soil into the cub with palette knife taking care not to trap air. 5. Strike off excess soil with the straightedge to give a smooth level surface. 6. With the penetration cone locked in the raised position lower the supporting assembly so that the tip of cone just touches the surface soil. 7. Lower the stem of the dial gauge to contact the cone shaft and record the reading of the dial gauge to the nearest 0.1 mm. 8. Release the cone a period 5 seconds, If the apparatus is not fitted with an automatic release and locking device. 9. Record the difference between the beginning and end of the drop cone penetration. 10. Lift out the cone and clean it carefully to avoid scratching. 11. Add little more distill water to the cub. Make sure the difference between first and second penetration reading is less than 0.5 mm. 12. Take a moisture content sample of about 10 g from the area penetrated by the cone. 13. Repeat step 2 to 12 at least 3 more time. * The reading of the liquid limit should be around 15 to 30 mm.

FKA, UiTM, SHAH ALAM

February 2013

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA SHAH ALAM

LABORATORY MANUAL

Figure 2: Cone penetrometer apparatus

Plastic Limit Test (Figure 3) 1. Take a sample about 20 g from the soil paste and place it on the mixing plate. 2. Allow the soil to dry partially on the plate until it becomes plastic enough to be shape it into a ball. 3. Mould the ball of the soil between the fingers and roll it between the palms of the hand until the heat of the hands has dried. The soil sufficient for slight cracks to appear on it surface. 4. Device the sample in two sub sample of about 10g each and carry out a separate determination on each portion. 5. Divide into four more or less equal parts. 6. Mould the soil in the finger to equalize the distribution of moisture, then form the soil into the tread about 6mm diameter between first finger and thumb of each hand. 7. Roll the tread to reduce to about 3mm in 5 to 10 complete, forward and backward movement of the hand. 8. Mould it between the Fingers to dry it further. The first crumbling point is the plastic limit. 9. Replace it to the container. Determine the moisture content of the soil in the container.

FKA, UiTM, SHAH ALAM

February 2013

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA SHAH ALAM

LABORATORY MANUAL

Figure 3: Plastic limit test (1) apparatus for plastic limit, (2) preparation of specimen, (3) the soil is rolled into a thread of 3 mm and (4) crumbling of the soil at 3 mm (Das, 2003)

The group will be required to prepare the technical report on the laboratory determination of liquid and plastic limits results highlighting the analyses and classification of fine grained soils in accordance to BS 5930: 1999: Code of Practice for Site Investigation. RESULTS With reference to the plasticity chart proposed by Casagrande (1957), determine the plasticity and type of the soil investigated. Explain the effect of plasticity to the design of shallow foundation and propose suitable type of shallow foundation. A technical report should be submitted one (1) week prior to the laboratory test with the relevant results, analyses and proposed shallow foundation type.

FKA, UiTM, SHAH ALAM

February 2013