UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – RECOLETOS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY TEST NO. 5

DETERMINING THE PLASTIC LIMIT AND PLASTICITY

(ASTM D 4318)

I. INTRODUCTION

The plastic limit is the dividing line between the plastic and semisolid states. It is quantified for
a given soil as a specific water content, and from a physical standpoint it is the water content at which
the soil will begin to crumble when rolled into small threads. It is identified in the laboratory as the
lowest water content at which the soil can be rolled into threads 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) in diameter without the
threads breaking into pieces. The plasticity index is the difference between the liquid and plastic limits.
Along with the other Atterberg limits, the plastic limit and plasticity index are valuable in identifying
and classifying soils.

II. APPARATUS & SUPPLIES

 Evaporating dish (see Figure 5–1)

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 Figure 8–1 Apparatus for Determining Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index

III. PREPARATION OF SAMPLES AND TEST SPECIMENS

Select a 20-g portion of soil from the material prepared for the liquid limit test, either after the
second mixing before the test, or from the soil remaining after completion of the test. Reduce the water
content of the soil to a consistency at which it can be rolled without sticking to the hands by spreading
and mixing continuously on the glass plate or in the mixing/ storage dish. The drying process may be
accelerated by exposing the soil to the air current from an electric fan, or by blotting with paper that
does not add any fiber to the soil. Paper such as hard surface paper toweling or high wet strength filter
paper is adequate.

IV. PROCEDURE

The procedure for determining the plastic limit is quite simple. The soil sample is rolled between
the fingers and the rolling surface until a 3.2-mm (1/8in.) diameter thread is obtained. This thread is
broken into pieces, which are then squeezed together again. The resulting mass is rolled once more
between the fingers and the rolling surface until another thread of the same diameter is obtained. Each
time the soil is rolled out; it becomes drier by losing moisture. The entire process is repeated until the
thread crumbles and the soil no longer can be rolled into a thread. At this point, the plastic limit is
assumed to have been reached, and the water content (which is the plastic limit) is determined. The
actual step-by-step procedure is as follows (ASTM D 4318-05):

(1) From this plastic-limit specimen, select a 1.5 to 2.0 g portion. Form the selected portion into
an ellipsoidal mass.

(2) Roll the soil mass by one of the following methods (hand or rolling device):

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 (2.1) Hand Method—Roll the mass between the palm or fingers and the ground-glass plate
with just sufficient pressure to roll the mass into a thread of uniform diameter throughout
its length (see Note 1). The thread shall be further deformed on each stroke so that its
diameter reaches 3.2 mm (1/8 in.), taking no more than 2 min (see Note 2). The amount of
hand or finger pressure required will vary greatly according to the soil being tested; that is,
the required pressure typically increases with increasing plasticity. Fragile soils of low
plasticity are best rolled under the outer edge of the palm or at the base of the thumb.

Note 1—A normal rate of rolling for most soils should be 80 to 90 strokes per minute,
counting a stroke as one complete motion of the hand forward and back to the starting
position. This rate of rolling may have to be decreased for very fragile soils.

Note 2—A 3.2-mm (1⁄8-in.) diameter rod or tube is useful for frequent comparison with
the soil thread to ascertain when the thread has reached the proper diameter.

(2.2) Rolling Device Method—Attach smooth unglazed paper to both the top and bottom
plates of the plastic limit-rolling device. Place the soil mass on the bottom plate at the
midpoint between the slide rails. Place the top plate in contact with the soil mass(es).
Simultaneously apply a slight downward force and back and forth motion to the top plate
so that the top plate comes into contact with the side rails within 2 min (see Notes 1 and 3).

During this rolling process, the end(s) of the soil thread(s) shall not contact the side rail(s).
If this occurs, roll a smaller mass of soil [even if it is less than that mentioned in (1)].

Note 3—In most cases, two soil masses (threads) can be rolled simultaneously in the
plastic limit-rolling device.

(3) When the diameter of the thread becomes 3.2 mm, break the thread into several pieces.
Squeeze the pieces together, knead between the thumb and first finger of each hand, reform
into an ellipsoidal mass, and reroll. Continue this alternate rolling to a thread 3.2 mm in
diameter, gathering together, kneading and rerolling, until the thread crumbles under the
pressure required for rolling and the soil can no longer be rolled into a 3.2-mm diameter
thread. It has no significance if the thread breaks into threads of shorter length. Roll each of
these shorter threads to 3.2 mm in diameter. The only requirement for continuing the test is
that they are able to be reformed into an ellipsoidal mass and rolled out again. The operator
shall at no time attempt to produce failure at exactly 3.2 mm diameter by allowing the thread
to reach 3.2 mm then reducing the rate of rolling or the hand pressure, or both, while
continuing the rolling without further deformation until the thread falls apart. It is
permissible, however, to reduce the total amount of deformation for feebly plastic soils by
making the initial diameter of the ellipsoidal mass nearer to the required 3.2-mm final
diameter. If crumbling occurs when the thread has a diameter greater than 3.2 mm, this shall

61
 be considered a satisfactory end point, provided the soil has been previously rolled into a
thread 3.2 mm in diameter. Crumbling of the thread will manifest itself differently with the
various types of soil. Some soils fall apart in numerous small aggregations of particles;
others may form an outside tubular layer that starts splitting at both ends. The splitting
progresses toward the middle, and finally, the thread falls apart in many small platy
particles. Fat clay soils require much pressure to deform the thread, particularly as they
approach the plastic limit. With these soils, the thread breaks into a series of barrel-shaped
segments about 3.2 to 9.5 mm (1⁄8 to 3⁄8 in.) in length.

(4) Gather the portions of the crumbled thread together and place in a container of known mass.
Immediately cover the container.

(5) Select another 1.5- to 2.0-g portion of soil from the plastic limit specimen and repeat the
operations described in (1) and (2) until the container has at least 6 g of soil.

(6) Repeat (1) through (5) to make another container holding at least 6 g of soil. Determine the
water content of the soil contained in the containers in accordance with ASTM Method D
2216

62
 UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – RECOLETOS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CESMEC 44P Name: Date Performed: Date Submitted:

Section:

Laboratory Test No.: Group No.: Score: Grade:

A.Y.
Title:
1st
2nd

Summer Instructor:

LABORATORY TEST NO. 5

DETERMINING THE PLASTIC LIMIT AND PLASTICITY

(ASTM D 4318)

V. DATA & TABULATIONS

As indicated in the preceding section, the plastic limit is the water content that exists when the thread crumbles
and the soil no longer can be rolled into another thread. Hence, the only data collected and recorded are those
required to determine the two water contents, namely:

Mass of container, Mc
Mass of container plus moist soil, Mcws
Mass of container plus oven-dried soil, Mcs

Table 5-1. Table of Precision Estimates

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64
VI.CALCULATIONS
After computing the water content of the soil contained in each container, the average of the
two water contents is found. If the difference between the two water contents is greater than the
acceptable range for two results listed in Table 5–1 for single-operator precision, the test must be
repeated. The plastic limit is the average of the two water contents.

The plasticity index (PI) is determined simply by subtracting the plastic limit (PL) from the
liquid limit (LL). In equation form,

PI = LL – PL (5-1)

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VII. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

VIII. CONCLUSIONS

IX. REFERENCES

[1] ASTM, 2007 Annual Book of ASTM Standards,West Conshohocken, PA, 2007. Copyright,
American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA
19428-2959. Reprinted with permission.

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