ASTM D4318-05
(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
These test methods are used as an integral part of several engineering classification systems to characterize the fine-grained fractions of soils (see Practices D 2487 and D 3282) and to specify the fine-grained fraction of construction materials (see Specification D 1241). 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.
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.
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’susceptibility to weathering.
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 D 2487).
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 D 3740, generally, are considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evalua...
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 on Terminology.
1.2 Two methods for preparing test specimens are provided as follows: Wet preparation method, as described in . Dry preparation method, as described in . 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 . Method B, One-point test as described in Sections . 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 performed on material prepared for the liquid...
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Designation:D4318–05
Standard Test Methods for
1
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. A number 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.5 The liquid limit and plastic limit of soils (along with the
shrinkage limit) are often collectively referred to as the
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the liquid
Atterberg limits. These limits distinguished the boundaries of
limit, plastic limit, and the plasticity index of soils as defined
the several consistency states of plastic soils.
in Section 3 on Terminology.
1.6 The composition and concentration of soluble salts in a
1.2 Two methods for preparing test specimens are provided
soil affect the values of the liquid and plastic limits as well as
as follows: Wet preparation method, as described in 10.1. Dry
the water content values of soils (see Method D2216). Special
preparation method, as described in 10.2. The method to be
consideration should therefore be given to soils from a marine
used shall be specified by the requesting authority. If no
environment or other sources where high soluble salt concen-
method is specified, use the wet preparation method.
trations may be present. The degree to which the salts present
1.2.1 The liquid and plastic limits of many soils that have
in these soils are diluted or concentrated must be given careful
been allowed to dry before testing may be considerably
consideration.
different from values obtained on non-dried samples. If the
1.7 The methods described herein are performed only on
liquid and plastic limits of soils are used to correlate or
that portion of a soil that passes the 425-µm (No. 40) sieve.
estimate the engineering behavior of soils in their natural moist
Therefore, the relative contribution of this portion of the soil to
state, samples should not be permitted to dry before testing
the properties of the sample as a whole must be considered
unless data on dried samples are specifically desired.
when using these tests to evaluate properties of a soil.
1.3 Two methods for determining the liquid limit are pro-
1.8 The values stated in acceptable metric units are to be
vided as follows: Method A, Multipoint test as described in
regarded as the standard, except as noted below. The values
Sections 11 and 12. Method B, One-point test as described in
given in parentheses are for information only.
Sections 13 and 14. The method to be used shall be specified
1.8.1 The standard units for the resilience tester covered in
by the requesting authority. If no method is specified, use
AnnexA1 are inch-pound, not metric. The metric values given
Method A.
are for information only.
1.3.1 The multipoint liquid limit method is generally more
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
precise than the one-point method. It is recommended that the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
multipoint method be used in cases where test results may be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
subject to dispute, or where greater precision is required.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3.2 Because the one-point method requires the operator to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
judge when the test specimen is approximately at its liquid
limit, it is particularly not recommended for use by inexperi-
2. Referenced Documents
enced operators.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3.3 The correlation on which the calculations of the
C702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Test-
one-point method are based may not be valid for certain soils,
ing Size
such as organic soils or soils from a marine environment. It is
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
strongly recommended that the liquid limit of these soils be
D420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering De-
determined by the multipoint method.
sign and Construction Purposes
1.4 The plastic limit test is performed on material prepared
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
for the liquid limit test.
Fluids
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
2
and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2005. Published April 2005. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For An
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D 4318–00 Designation:D 4318–05
Standard Test Methods for
1
Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4318; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number 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 Department of Defense.
1. 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 performed on material prepared for the liquid limit test.
1.5 The liquid limit and plastic limit of soils (along with the shrinkage limit) are often collectively referred to as theAtterberg
limits. These limits distinguished the boundaries of the several consistency states of plastic soils.
1.6 The composition and concentration of soluble salts in a soil affect the values of the liquid and plastic limits as well as the
water content values of soils (see Method D 2216). Special consideration should therefore be given to soils from a marine
environment or other sources where high soluble salt concentrations may be present.The degree to which the salts present in these
soils are diluted or concentrated must be given careful consideration.
1.7 The methods described herein are performed only on that portion of a soil that passes the 425-µm (No. 40) sieve.Therefore,
the relative contribution of this portion of the soil to the properties of the sample as a whole must be considered when using these
tests to evaluate properties of a soil.
1.8 The values stated in acceptable metric units are to be regarded as the standard, except as noted below. The values given in
parentheses are for information only.
1.8.1 The standard units for the resilience tester covered in Annex A1 are inch-pound, not metric. The metric values given are
for information only.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity and
Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved June 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally published as D4318–83. Last previous edition D4318–98.
Current edition approved March 1, 2005. Published April 2005. Originally approved
...
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