CO L E G I O DE MUNT I NL UPA

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POSADAS AVE., SUCAT, MUNTINLUPA CITY
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CIEN3111 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 (SOIL

MECHANICS)

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT NO.

4 PLASTIC LIMIT TEST

DATE PERFORMED: 12-15-23

SUBMITTED: 10-11-23

SUBMITTED BY:

AMBAS, PATEÑA, PAZ,

ENZZEL KIM V. AARON E.
RHEY ANN R.
20221010530/BSCE- 20221010527/BSCE- 20221010532/BSCE-
3B 3B 3B

NICUS,
REYES M.
20221010593/BSCE-3B

SUBMITTED TO:

ENGR. ANGELITO JR. A. MACALINAO

Laboratory Instructor

GRADE
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. OBJECTIVES

III. THEORY AND LITERATURE

IV. EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP

V. METHODOLOGY

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

VII. CONCLUSIONS

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS

IX. REFERENCES

ANNEXES:
ANNEX 1 : PLASTIC LIMIT DETERMINATION DATA
SHEET
ANNEX 2 : PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
I. INTRODUCTION

The characteristics and response of soil vary significantly across

different levels of moisture content, influencing its consistency and

engineering properties. The delineation of distinct states of soil is based

on observable shifts in its behavior in response to changing moisture

levels. This critical understanding is facilitated by the Atterberg limits, a

set of essential measurements pioneered by Swedish agriculturist

Albert Atterberg and subsequently refined by the geotechnical engineer

Arthur Casagrande. These limits, encompassing the liquid limit, plastic

limit, and shrinkage limit, offer a systematic approach to discerning

transitions between states in fine-grained soils like silt and clay.

The plastic limit test, per ASTM Standard D4318, involves rolling

out a fine soil thread on a flat, non-porous surface. In its plastic state,

the thread retains a slender shape, allowing for remolding and retesting.

As moisture decreases, evaporation causes the thread to break apart at

larger diameters. The crucial delineation occurs when the thread breaks

at 3 mm (about 1/8 inch), defining the plastic limit. Soils unable to form

a thread to this diameter under any moisture conditions are classified as

non-plastic.

The plastic limit test is an essential tool for evaluating the plasticity

of fine-grained soils. It serves as a foundational method enabling

engineers and soil scientists to grasp how soil behaves under different

moisture conditions, offering insights crucial for designing stable

foundations, embankments, and other engineering structures. This

test's
 ability to distinguish the plastic behavior of soil aids professionals in

making informed decisions, ensuring the suitability and safety of soil for

various construction applications.

II. OBJECTIVES

The primary goal is to ascertain the plastic limit of a soil that has

passed through sieve #40, a key step in determining the plasticity of

cohesive soils. These parameters are of utmost importance for soil

classification, providing essential information for understanding and

assessing the activity of clayey soils in engineering applications.

III. THEORY AND LITERATURE

Atterberg defined plasticity in soil as its moldability and highlighted

its potential to form threads. Starting his extensive research in 1902, he

explored soil plasticity, establishing five crucial boundaries that

differentiate various plastic soil states and aided in a precise

examination of soil properties. In 1911, Atterberg introduced the

concept of the soil's plastic limit, a key aspect in soil mechanics,

marking the moisture content at which soil transitions to a moldable

plastic state without breaking. Integrated into the broader framework of

Atterberg limits alongside liquid and shrinkage limits, the plastic limit

aids in classifying fine-grained soils, rooted in understanding the water

content range indicative of plastic

behavior, crucial for soil characterization and influencing geotechnical

engineering practices.

The plastic limit, a pivotal concept in soil mechanics introduced by

Atterberg, signifies the moisture content at which soil transitions from a

semi-solid to a plastic state, enabling molding without breaking.

Atterberg incorporated this idea into the Atterberg limits in 1911,

alongside liquid and shrinkage limits, essential for classifying fine-

grained soils. The theoretical foundation lies in comprehending the

water content range indicative of plastic behavior, crucial for soil

characterization, differentiating soil types, and influencing geotechnical

engineering practices.

Expansive literature on the plastic limit covers various topics,

including laboratory testing methods like the thread-rolling test

pioneered by Atterberg and its applications in engineering. Researchers

explore soil consistency, plasticity indices, and the impact of plastic

limits on soil behavior. Insights from this literature significantly

contribute to soil classification systems, offering practical guidance for

construction projects, foundation design, and overall soil property

assessment. The extensive body of work underscores the central role of

the plastic limit in soil mechanics, emphasizing its importance in

comprehending and managing soil behavior for engineering purposes.

IV. EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP

oven dryer digital scale

container sheet of paper

aluminum dish
 V. METHODOLOGY

In performing experimenting this experiment, the following procedure

must be follow:

1. Begin by measuring the dimensions of three empty cans, the water in the

cans, and the selected soil sample.

2. Thoroughly mix the chosen portion of the soil with water in a dish until

the soil mass achieves a plastic consistency, making it easily moldable

using the hand method.

3. Shape the selected portion into an ellipsoidal mass and press it down

until it becomes flat.

4. Apply sufficient pressure to the flattened mass between your palm and

fingers against the level ground to roll it into a thread with a consistent

diameter along its entire length. This process, taking no more than two

minutes per stroke, continues until the thread's diameter reaches 3mm.

For highly brittle soils, reduce the rolling rate.

5. Mold the mass into a thread with a uniform diameter throughout its length

until the thread crumbles, reaching a diameter of 3.2mm.

6. Place the soil sample threads separately into three cans and measure

their dimensions.

7. Finally, oven-dry the three samples and measure them again after

drying. Calculate the Plastic Limit based on these measurements.

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Mass of can. 9.58 9.58 9.58
M1(g)
Mass of can + 31.39 38.05 43.6
Moist soil, M2(g)
Mass of can + 25.64 30.79 35.27
Dry soil, M3(g)
Mass of water, 5.75 7.26 8.33
Ww(g)
Mass of soil 16.06 21.21 25.69
solids, Ws(g)
Moisture content, 35.803 34.229 32.425
w(%)
Plastic Limit 34.152
PL(%)

Moisture Content- The inherent strength and stability of soil are

intricately linked to its moisture content. Referred to as the 'Natural
moisture content,' this denotes the water content of soil in its original
state, providing insights into its behavior under the influence of load
and temperature.

Plastic Limit- The plastic limit is identified as the moisture content,

expressed as a percentage, at which the soil fractures upon being
rolled into threads measuring 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) in diameter.

To ascertain the plastic limit, the soil is regarded as exhibiting plastic

behavior when it can be manually rolled into a compact thread-like
shape with an approximate diameter of 3.2 mm. The process
involves manual rolling and kneading of the soil sample, without
utilizing any mechanical rolling device.

IV.1. EQUATIONS

Ww = M2 – M3

Ws = M3 – M1

Ww
w(%)= x100
Ws

w 1+w 2+ w 3
PL=
Number of trials
 IV.2. COMPUTATIONS

Trial 1: Ww = 31.39g – 25.64g = 5.75g

Ws = 25.64g – 9.58g = 16.06g

5.75
w(%) = x 100 = 35.803
16.06

note: Same process for each trial.

Therefore the water content in each trial is : 35.803,34.229,32.425

Computation of Plastic Limit

35.803+34.229+32.425
PL(%)=
3
PL(%)= 34.152

VII. CONCLUSIONS

The Plastic Limit test is designed to ascertain the moisture content

at which soil undergoes the transition from a plastic to a semisolid state.
Specifically, it is determined as the minimum water content required for
the soil to crumble when rolled into a 3.2 mm diameter thread. This
experimental focus was on identifying the soil's plastic limit, which serves
as the lower boundary for plastic behavior. Alongside other Atterberg
limits, the plastic limit contributes to soil identification and classification.
Atterberg limits categorize soil consistency into liquid, plastic, semisolid,
and solid states, where the liquid limit marks the shift from liquid to
plastic, and the shrinkage limit indicates the transition from plastic to
semisolid states. The gradual drying process from liquid to solid involves
passing through these stages. The liquid, plastic, and shrinkage limits
are determined by the water content at each stage, with the plasticity
index representing the difference between the liquid and plastic limits.

In this experiment, the first water content test produced a result of

35.803%, followed by subsequent tests with values of 34.229% and
32.425%. Despite slight variations, the calculated average water content
was 34.152%, representing the soil's plastic limit. This indicates that the
soil exhibits a notable degree of plastic behavior, requiring a relatively
high water content for moldability. The consistency in water content
values across trials suggests a reliable testing process. The calculated
Plastic Limit is crucial for assessing the soil's engineering properties. The
subsequent determination of the Plasticity Index (PI) and classification of
the soil according to systems like the Unified Soil Classification System
(USCS) would offer a more comprehensive understanding.
 The geotechnical engineering students, through their experiment,
not only showcased the practical application of the plastic limit concept
but also emphasized the significance of employing standardized testing
techniques in the realm of soil mechanics. The derived and analyzed
data contribute comprehensively to our comprehension of soil behavior,
laying the groundwork for making well-informed decisions in various
geotechnical engineering applications.

The students in geotechnical engineering used their experiment to

show how the plastic limit concept works in real life. They also
highlighted how important it is to use standard testing methods when
studying soil mechanics. The information they gathered helps us
understand how soil behaves, providing a solid basis for making smart
decisions in different geotechnical engineering projects.

To wrap up, the experiment successfully met its objectives by

identifying the plastic limit of the soil.

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS

For a reliable plastic limit test in the laboratory, ensure

representative soil samples, use clean and calibrated equipment, follow

standardized testing procedures, and accurately measure water

content. Thoroughly mix the soil and water, applying consistent

pressure and stroke rates during rolling. Measure thread diameters

precisely, conduct replicate tests for consistency, and document all

details, deviations, and safety precautions diligently.

IX. REFERENCES

Haigh, S. K., Vardanega, P. J., & Bolton, M. D. (2013). The plastic limit of clays.

Géotechnique, 63(6), 435–440. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.11.P.123

Russell, E. R. (n.d.). A Study to Correlate Soil Consistency Limits with Soil Moisture

Tensions.
Annex 1: Data Sheet
Annex 2: Photo Documentations