Scribd
Upload
8 views

DJ

The laboratory exercise focuses on determining the plastic limit of soil through the Atterberg Limits: Plastic Limit Test, which assesses the moisture content at which soil can no longer be formed into a thread. The results indicate a plastic limit of 20.17% and a plasticity index of 2.81%, categorizing the soil as slightly plastic, which is beneficial for drainage and foundation stability. Understanding these properties aids geotechnical engineers in making informed decisions for infrastructure design.

Uploaded by

Joseph Beronilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views

DJ

The laboratory exercise focuses on determining the plastic limit of soil through the Atterberg Limits: Plastic Limit Test, which assesses the moisture content at which soil can no longer be formed into a thread. The results indicate a plastic limit of 20.17% and a plasticity index of 2.81%, categorizing the soil as slightly plastic, which is beneficial for drainage and foundation stability. Understanding these properties aids geotechnical engineers in making informed decisions for infrastructure design.

Uploaded by

Joseph Beronilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

LABORATORY EXERCISE NO. 3


ATTERBERG LIMITS: PLASTIC LIMIT TEST

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. CHARLAIGN KATE R. GUMASING
INSTRUCTOR

SUBMITTED BY:
CALILAN, ARDEE JAY D.
BSCE 4D

S.Y. 2024-2025
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

ATTERBERG LIMITS: PLASTIC LIMIT TEST

I. OBJECTIVE

 To determine the soil's plastic limit, or the moisture content at which it can no
longer be formed into a thread.
 To evaluate the impact of the plastic limit on soil behavior and categorization in
engineering projects

II. MATERIALS/EQUIPMENTS

 Glass Plate
 Digital weighing scale
 Drying Oven
 Spatula
 Water Container (Wash Bottle)

III. PROCEDURE
Ensure all samples have passed through a No. 40 sieve.

1. Collect soil samples that have been through a No. 40 sieve.


2. Add water and stir thoroughly until the material is flexible enough to form into a
ball.
3. Roll a part of the ball into a thread by applying enough pressure between your
fingers and the glass plate until it can no longer be made into a 3.2 mm diameter
thread.
4. Gather the crumbled portions of the soil and place them in the moisture-content
container.

5. Weigh the sample before and after oven drying, then calculate the moisture
content.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

IV. COMPUTATIONS

TEST NO. 1 2
Weight of Wet Soil + 18.4 15.6
Container (g)
Weight of Dry Soil + 16.2 13.2
Container (g)
Weight of Container (g) 6.1 4.1
Moisture Content (%) 28.13% 26.37%

𝝎
Ww
Moisture Content, = =
Ws
Weight of Wet Soil+Container−Weight of Dry Soil+Containe r
x 100%
Weight of Dry soil+Container−Weight of Containe r

18.4−16.2
ω1 = ×100 = 21.78%
16.2−6.1

15.6−13.8
ω2 = ×100 = 18.55%
13.8−4.1

W 1 +W 2 28.33+26.87
PL = = 2
= 20.17%
2

PLASTICITY INDEX

PI= LL- PL

PI= 22.98-20.17

PI=2.81% ( SLIGHTLY PLASTIC)


COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

V. CONCLUSIONS
The Plastic Limit Test successfully identified that the moisture content at which the soil
shifts from plastic to brittle is around 20.17%. The resulting plasticity index of 2.81%
indicates slightly plastic, which is crucial for soil classification in geotechnical engineering.
Slightly Plastic Soils generally have better drainage characteristics compared to highly plastic
soils. This can be beneficial for foundation design and stability. Moreover, these soils tend to
be less compressible, meaning they are less prone to significant volume changes under load.
However, while slightly plastic soils are less prone to significant volume changes, they can
still experience some degree of shrinkage and swelling due to changes in moisture content.

While slightly plastic soils offer several advantages, it's important to consider the specific
site conditions and engineering requirements. Factors like the groundwater table, climate, and
loading conditions can influence the behavior of the soil. By understanding the properties and
behavior of slightly plastic soils, geotechnical engineers can make informed decisions to
design and construct reliable and durable infrastructure.

VI. DOCUMENTATIONS:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

You might also like