ASTM D4318-10e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These test methods are used as an integral part of several engineering classification systems to characterize the fine-grained fractions of soils (see Practices D2487 and D3282) and to specify the fine-grained fraction of construction materials (see Specification D1241). The liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils are also used extensively, either individually or together, with other soil properties to correlate with engineering behavior such as compressibility, hydraulic conductivity (permeability), compactibility, shrink-swell, and shear strength.
5.2 The liquid and plastic limits of a soil and its water content can be used to express its relative consistency or liquidity index. In addition, the plasticity index and the percentage finer than 2-μm particle size can be used to determine its activity number.
5.3 These methods are sometimes used to evaluate the weathering characteristics of clay-shale materials. When subjected to repeated wetting and drying cycles, the liquid limits of these materials tend to increase. The amount of increase is considered to be a measure of a shale's susceptibility to weathering.
5.4 The liquid limit of a soil containing substantial amounts of organic matter decreases dramatically when the soil is oven-dried before testing. Comparison of the liquid limit of a sample before and after oven-drying can therefore be used as a qualitative measure of organic matter content of a soil (see Practice D2487.Note 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740, generally, are considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means ...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the liquid limit, plastic limit, and the plasticity index of soils as defined in Section 3 on Terminology.
1.2 Two methods for preparing test specimens are provided as follows: Wet preparation method, as described in 10.1. Dry preparation method, as described in 10.2. The method to be used shall be specified by the requesting authority. If no method is specified, use the wet preparation method.
1.2.1 The liquid and plastic limits of many soils that have been allowed to dry before testing may be considerably different from values obtained on non-dried samples. If the liquid and plastic limits of soils are used to correlate or estimate the engineering behavior of soils in their natural moist state, samples should not be permitted to dry before testing unless data on dried samples are specifically desired.
1.3 Two methods for determining the liquid limit are provided as follows: Method A, Multipoint test as described in Sections 11 and 12. Method B, One-point test as described in Sections 13 and 14. The method to be used shall be specified by the requesting authority. If no method is specified, use Method A.
1.3.1 The multipoint liquid limit method is generally more precise than the one-point method. It is recommended that the multipoint method be used in cases where test results may be subject to dispute, or where greater precision is required.
1.3.2 Because the one-point method requires the operator to judge when the test specimen is approximately at its liquid limit, it is particularly not recommended for use by inexperienced operators.
1.3.3 The correlation on which the calculations of the one-point method are based may not be valid for certain soils, such as organic soils or soils from a marine environment. It is strongly recommended that the liquid limit of these soils be determined by the multipoint method.
1.4 The plastic limit test is per...
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Designation: D4318 − 10
Standard Test Methods for
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Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4318; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
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ε NOTE—Editorial corrections made throughout in January 2014.
1. Scope* strongly recommended that the liquid limit of these soils be
determined by the multipoint method.
1.1 Thesetestmethodscoverthedeterminationoftheliquid
limit, plastic limit, and the plasticity index of soils as defined 1.4 The plastic limit test is performed on material prepared
in Section 3 on Terminology.
for the liquid limit test.
1.2 Two methods for preparing test specimens are provided 1.5 Theliquidlimitandplasticlimitofsoils(alongwiththe
as follows: Wet preparation method, as described in 10.1. Dry
shrinkage limit) are often collectively referred to as the
preparation method, as described in 10.2. The method to be Atterberg limits. These limits distinguished the boundaries of
used shall be specified by the requesting authority. If no
the several consistency states of plastic soils.
method is specified, use the wet preparation method.
1.6 The composition and concentration of soluble salts in a
1.2.1 The liquid and plastic limits of many soils that have
soil affect the values of the liquid and plastic limits as well as
been allowed to dry before testing may be considerably
the water content values of soils (see Test Method D4542).
different from values obtained on non-dried samples. If the
Special consideration should therefore be given to soils from a
liquid and plastic limits of soils are used to correlate or
marine environment or other sources where high soluble salt
estimatetheengineeringbehaviorofsoilsintheirnaturalmoist
concentrations may be present. The degree to which the salts
state, samples should not be permitted to dry before testing
present in these soils are diluted or concentrated must be given
unless data on dried samples are specifically desired.
careful consideration.
1.3 Two methods for determining the liquid limit are pro-
1.7 The methods described herein are performed only on
vided as follows: Method A, Multipoint test as described in
that portion of a soil that passes the 425-µm (No. 40) sieve.
Sections 11 and 12. Method B, One-point test as described in
Therefore,therelativecontributionofthisportionofthesoilto
Sections 13 and 14. The method to be used shall be specified
the properties of the sample as a whole must be considered
by the requesting authority. If no method is specified, use
when using these tests to evaluate properties of a soil.
Method A.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
1.3.1 The multipoint liquid limit method is generally more
standard, except as noted below.The values given in parenthe-
precise than the one-point method. It is recommended that the
ses are for information only.
multipoint method be used in cases where test results may be
1.8.1 The standard units for the resilience tester covered in
subject to dispute, or where greater precision is required.
AnnexA1 are inch-pound, not SI. The SI values given are for
1.3.2 Because the one-point method requires the operator to
information only.
judge when the test specimen is approximately at its liquid
limit, it is particularly not recommended for use by inexperi-
1.9 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
enced operators.
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
1.3.3 The correlation on which the calculations of the
Practice D6026.
one-point method are based may not be valid for certain soils,
1.9.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculated
such as organic soils or soils from a marine environment. It is
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
digits in the specified limits
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1.9.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoil
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils.
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2010. Published March 2010. Originally
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D4318–05. DOI:
10.1520/D4318-10E01. dures do not consider mater
...
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