How Do You Determine The Atterberg Limits Of Clay Soil?
The Atterberg Limits measure the graininess and strength of silt and clay soil. They define the behavior of soil by measuring the shrinkage limit, liquid limit and plastic limit. Usually only the liquid (LL) and plastic limits (PL) are determined. The liquid limit is the amount of water that is needed to liquify the soil. The plastic limit is the amount of water that makes the soil become malleable. The plastic index (PI) is very useful, it characterizes the soil and it is the difference between the liquid and the plastic limit (PI=LL-PL). A low plastic index (0 to 10) indicates silt, while a high PI (more than 35) indicates clay. The liquid and plastic limit devices, needed to do the determinations, can be purchased from companies in the U.S. such as Geotest Instrument Corporation (http://www.geotestusa.com) or from global companies such as Associated Scientific and Engineering Works (http://testinginstrumentsindia.com). Place a cylindrical clay sample (about 9 ounces) into a porcelai
