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Plasticity Modulus of Soil

The document discusses the concept of Plasticity Modulus (PM) in soil, which is calculated as the product of Plasticity Index (PI) and the percentage of soil passing a 0.425 mm sieve. It highlights the significance of PM in classifying fine-grained soils and its correlations with various geotechnical properties such as CBR, swelling potential, shear strength, and compressibility. Key takeaways include the implications of PM on subgrade strength, swelling potential, and foundation design considerations.

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Victor Thobias
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13 views6 pages

Plasticity Modulus of Soil

The document discusses the concept of Plasticity Modulus (PM) in soil, which is calculated as the product of Plasticity Index (PI) and the percentage of soil passing a 0.425 mm sieve. It highlights the significance of PM in classifying fine-grained soils and its correlations with various geotechnical properties such as CBR, swelling potential, shear strength, and compressibility. Key takeaways include the implications of PM on subgrade strength, swelling potential, and foundation design considerations.

Uploaded by

Victor Thobias
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The modulus of plasticity (MP) of soil is not a standard term in

geotechnical engineering. However, you might be referring to:

1. Plasticity Index (PI) – A measure of the range of water content over which
a soil remains plastic, calculated as:

PI=LL−PLPI=LL−PL

where:
o LLLL = Liquid Limit
o PLPL = Plastic Limit
2. Modulus of Elasticity (E) – Represents soil stiffness under stress (Young's
Modulus).
3. Resilient Modulus (Mᵣ) – Used in pavement design, indicating elastic
response under repeated loading.
4. Plastic Modulus (in some contexts) – Sometimes refers to the slope of
the plastic portion of a stress-strain curve.

If you meant Modulus of Subgrade Reaction (k), it measures soil stiffness


under a loaded area (used in foundation design).

Could you clarify the exact parameter you're looking for? Or provide more
context (e.g., soil testing, foundation design, etc.)? I’d be happy to help!

plasticity modulus of soil as the product of PI and percent passing 0.425mm

The Plasticity Modulus (PM) of soil, as you described, is a derived


parameter calculated as:

PM=PI×(% passing 0.425 mm sieve100)PM=PI×(100% passing 0.425 mm siev


e)

where:
 PI = Plasticity Index (LL−PLLL−PL)
 % passing 0.425 mm = Fraction of fines (clay + silt) in the soil

Significance of Plasticity Modulus (PM)

This parameter helps classify fine-grained soils and assess their engineering
behavior, particularly in:

 Expansive soils (higher PM → higher swell-shrink potential)


 Compressibility (higher PM → higher consolidation settlement)
 Shear strength (higher PM → lower permeability, higher cohesion)

Example Calculation

If a soil has:

 Liquid Limit (LL) = 50%


 Plastic Limit (PL) = 25%
 % passing 0.425 mm = 80%

Then:

PI=50−25=25PI=50−25=25PM=25×0.80=20PM=25×0.80=20

Interpretation

 PM < 10 → Low plasticity, sandy/silty soils


 PM = 10–30 → Moderate plasticity (common in clays)
 PM > 30 → High plasticity (e.g., expansive clays like bentonite)

Relation to Soil Classification

This concept aligns with systems like AASHTO and USCS,


where PI and fines content determine soil groups (e.g., CH for high-
plasticity clays).
Would you like correlations between PM and other properties (e.g., CBR,
swelling potential)?

correlations between PM and other properties (e.g., CBR, swelling potential)

The Plasticity Modulus (PM), defined


as PM=PI×(% passing 0.425 mm100)PM=PI×(100% passing 0.425 mm), correlates
with key geotechnical properties like CBR, swelling potential, shear
strength, and compressibility. Below are empirical and theoretical
relationships:

1. Correlation with CBR (California Bearing Ratio)

The CBR decreases as PM increases because fine-grained soils (especially


clays) weaken when wet.
Empirical equations:

 For fine-grained soils (AASHTO, 1993):

log⁡(CBR)=2.46−0.46⋅log⁡(PM)log(CBR)=2.46−0.46⋅log(PM)

*(Example: If PM = 20 → CBR ≈ 4.5%)*

 For subgrade soils (Black, 1962):


CBR=30PI⋅(% fines)0.2CBR=PI⋅(% fines)0.230

(Shows inverse trend with PM components)

Practical Implications:

 PM < 10 → CBR > 15% (suitable for subbase).


 PM > 30 → CBR < 3% (poor subgrade, needs stabilization).

2. Correlation with Swelling Potential

PM directly relates to expansion in expansive clays (e.g., montmorillonite).


Higher PM → higher swell.
Empirical models:

 Van der Merwe (1964):

Swell (%)=0.0035⋅PM2.2Swell (%)=0.0035⋅PM2.2

*(Example: PM = 25 → ~8% swell)*

 Chen (1988):

Swell Pressure (kPa)=10(0.036⋅PM+0.7)Swell Pressure (kPa)=10(0.036⋅PM+0.7)

Classification:

PM Range Swelling Potential

< 10 Low (≤ 1.5% swell)

10–20 Moderate (1.5–5% swell)

20–30 High (5–10% swell)

> 30 Very High (> 10% swell)

3. Correlation with Shear Strength


 Undrained Shear Strength (cucu):

cu(kPa)≈10×(LL−PM)(for NC clays)cu(kPa)≈10×(LL−PM)(for NC clays)

(Higher PM → lower cucu due to water sensitivity)

 Effective Friction Angle (ϕ′ϕ′):

ϕ′≈30°−0.15⋅PM(for cohesive soils)ϕ′≈30°−0.15⋅PM(for cohesive soils)

4. Correlation with Compressibility (CcCc)

Higher PM → higher compression index (CcCc) → greater settlement.


Skempton (1944):

Cc=0.009⋅(LL−10)≈0.007⋅PM(if fines dominate)Cc


=0.009⋅(LL−10)≈0.007⋅PM(if fines dominate)

5. Permeability (kk)

log⁡(k)≈−0.5⋅PM+3(for clays, k in cm/s)log(k)≈−0.5⋅PM+3(for clays, k in cm/s)

*(PM = 20 → k≈10−7k≈10−7 cm/s)*

Key Takeaways

1. CBR: Use PM to predict subgrade strength (low PM = better for pavements).


2. Swelling: PM > 20 indicates need for lime/cement stabilization.
3. Strength/Compressibility: High PM soils require deeper foundations or
preloading.

Would

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