SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
01-november-2018
1DGRPHãþD
SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 17892-12:2004
SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 17892-12:2004/AC:2010
*HRWHKQLþQRSUHLVNRYDQMHLQSUHVNXãDQMH/DERUDWRULMVNRSUHVNXãDQMH]HPOMLQ
GHO8JRWDYOMDQMHPHMHWHNRþLQHLQSODVWLþQRVWL,62
Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing of soil - Part 12:
Determination of liquid and plastic limits (ISO 17892-12:2018)
Geotechnische Erkundung und Untersuchung - Laborversuche an Bodenproben - Teil
12: Bestimmung der Zustandsgrenzen (ISO 17892-12:2018)
Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques - Essais de laboratoire sur les sols - Partie 12:
Détermination des limites de liquidité et de plasticité (ISO 17892-12:2018)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 17892-12:2018
ICS:
13.080.20 Fizikalne lastnosti tal Physical properties of soils
93.020 Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Earthworks. Excavations.
Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod Foundation construction.
zemljo Underground works
SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018

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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018


EN ISO 17892-12
EUROPEAN STANDARD

NORME EUROPÉENNE

July 2018
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.080.20; 93.020 Supersedes CEN ISO/TS 17892-12:2004
English Version

Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing
of soil - Part 12: Determination of liquid and plastic limits
(ISO 17892-12:2018)
Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques - Essais de Geotechnische Erkundung und Untersuchung -
laboratoire sur les sols - Partie 12: Détermination des Laborversuche an Bodenproben - Teil 12: Bestimmung
limites de liquidité et de plasticité (ISO 17892- der Zustandsgrenzen (ISO 17892-12:2018)
12:2018)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 15 June 2018.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.





EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2018 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 17892-12:2018 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
EN ISO 17892-12:2018 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3

2

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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
EN ISO 17892-12:2018 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 17892-12:2018) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 182
"Geotechnics" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 341 “Geotechnical Investigation and
Testing” the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2019, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by January 2019.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes CEN ISO/TS 17892-12:2004.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 17892-12:2018 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 17892-12:2018 without any
modification.

3

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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018

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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17892-12
First edition
2018-06
Geotechnical investigation and
testing — Laboratory testing of soil —
Part 12:
Determination of liquid and plastic
limits
Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques — Essais de laboratoire sur
les sols —
Partie 12: Détermination des limites de liquidité et de plasticité
Reference number
ISO 17892-12:2018(E)
©
ISO 2018

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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
ISO 17892-12:2018(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2018
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
ISO 17892-12:2018(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Apparatus . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Fall cone method . 3
4.3 Casagrande method . 5
4.4 Plastic limit equipment . 6
5 Test procedure . 7
5.1 Choice of liquid limit method . 7
5.2 Specimen preparation . 7
5.3 Determination of liquid limit by the fall cone method . 8
5.4 Determination of liquid limit by the Casagrande method .10
5.5 Determination of plastic limit .12
6 Test results .13
6.1 Proportion of sample smaller than 0,4 mm .13
6.2 Liquid limit by the fall cone method .13
6.3 Liquid limit by the Casagrande method .15
6.4 Plastic limit .15
6.5 Plasticity index .16
7 Test report .16
7.1 Mandatory reporting .16
7.2 Optional reporting .16
Annex A (normative) Calibration, maintenance and checks .18
Annex B (normative) Additional parameters .25
Bibliography .27
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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
ISO 17892-12:2018(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www .iso .org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical
Committee CEN/TC 341 Geotechnical investigation and testing, in collaboration with ISO Technical
Committee TC 182, Geotechnics, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between
ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This first edition of ISO 17892-12 cancels and replaces ISO/TS 17892-12:2004, which has been
technically revised. It also incorporates ISO/TS 17892-12:2004/Cor.1:2006.
A list of all the parts in the ISO 17892 series can be found on the ISO website.
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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
ISO 17892-12:2018(E)

Introduction
This document covers areas in the international field of geotechnical engineering never previously
standardised internationally. It is intended that this document presents broad good practice and
significant differences with national documents is not anticipated. It is based on international practice
(see Reference [1]).
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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17892-12:2018(E)
Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory
testing of soil —
Part 12:
Determination of liquid and plastic limits
1 Scope
This document specifies methods for the determination of the liquid and plastic limits of a soil. These
comprise two of the Atterberg limits for soils.
The liquid limit is the water content at which a soil changes from the liquid to the plastic state.
This document describes the determination of the liquid limit of a specimen of natural soil, or of
a specimen of soil from which material larger than about 0,4 mm has been removed. This document
describes two methods: the fall cone method and the Casagrande method.
NOTE The fall cone method in this document should not be confused with that of ISO 17892-6.
The plastic limit of a soil is the water content at which a soil ceases to be plastic when dried further.
The determination of the plastic limit is normally made in conjunction with the determination of the
liquid limit. It is recognized that the results of the test are subject to the judgement of the operator, and
that some variability in results will occur.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 3310-1, Test sieves — Technical requirements and testing — Part 1: Test sieves of metal wire cloth
ISO 14688-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Identification and classification of soil — Part 1:
Identification and description
ISO 17892-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 1: Determination
of water content
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. ISO and IEC maintain
terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https: //www .electropedia .org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
3.1
liquid limit
w
L
water content at which a soil passes from the liquid to the plastic state, as determined by the liquid
limit test
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3.2
plastic limit
w
P
water content at which a specimen ceases to be plastic when dried further, as determined by the plastic
limit test
3.3
plasticity index
I
P
numerical difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit of a soil
3.4
non plastic soil
soil which has a plasticity index of zero or one for which the plastic limit cannot be determined
4 Apparatus
4.1 General
See also Annex A for more manufacturing tolerances (where appropriate), calibration, maintenance and
checks on the equipment.
4.1.1 Balance.
The balance shall have an accuracy of 0,01 g or 0,1 % of the weighed mass whichever value is the greater.
4.1.2 Test specimen containers.
Test specimen containers shall be made of a material that does not change mass as a result of repeated
drying cycles. Glass, porcelain and corrosion-resistant metals have been found to be suitable. Containers
shall have a capacity large enough to hold the mass of sample to be dried without spillage, but should
not be so large that the mass of the empty container is significantly in excess of that of the specimen.
Containers used for plastic limit determinations shall have close fitting lids.
4.1.3 Water.
Water should be distilled, de-ionized or demineralized. Where distilled is referred to in this document,
the terms are interchangeable.
4.1.4 Ancillary apparatus.
4.1.4.1 Spatulas.
4.1.4.2 Spray bottle (preferably of plastic).
4.1.4.3 Evaporating dishes.
4.1.4.4 Sieves complying with ISO 3310-1.
4.1.4.5 Flat mixing plate, for example glass.
4.1.4.6 Metal straightedge about 100 mm long.
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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
ISO 17892-12:2018(E)

4.2 Fall cone method
4.2.1 Fall cone apparatus.
4.2.1.1 The fall cone apparatus is shown schematically in Figure 1. It shall permit the cone to be
held firmly initially and to be released instantaneously to fall freely in a vertical direction into the soil
specimen.
Key
1 vertical adjustment mechanism
2 penetration measurement device
3 fall cone
4 lock/release button
5 specimen cup
Figure 1 — Schematic of a fall cone apparatus
4.2.1.2 The fall cone apparatus shall have a vertical adjustment mechanism which allows the cone to
be raised or lowered and adjusted so that the tip of the cone just touches the surface of the specimen
before the cone is released.
4.2.1.3 The fall cone apparatus shall be equipped with a method of measuring the penetration of the
cone into the specimen after release to a resolution of 0,1 mm (or better), within the range 5 mm to
20 mm if the 60 g/60° cone is used, or within the range 10 mm to 30 mm if the 80 g/30° cone is used.
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4.2.2 Cones.
4.2.2.1 A typical cone is shown schematically in Figure 2.
Key
1 cone
2 shaft
3 cone tip
a deviation from the geometrical tip at manufacturing
b maximum tip wear
h height of the conical tip
β tip angle
Figure 2 — Example of liquid limit fall cone penetrometer (60° cone)
4.2.2.2 Either a 60 g/60° cone or a 80 g/30° cone complying with the requirements of Table 1 may be
used as it has been shown that both cones give essentially the same value for the liquid limit. Other cone
devices may be adopted provided they can be shown to give comparable results to those obtained from
the tests described herein.
Table 1 — Set of fall cones — Typical manufacturing specifications for masses and dimensions
Mass of cone plus shaft g 60 ± 0,06 80 ± 0,08
Tip angle β ° 60 ± 0,2 30 ± 0,2
Height of the cone tip h mm ≥20 ≥30
The deviation a from the geometrical tip at manufacturing mm <0,1 <0,1
4.2.2.3 The cone shall be manufactured of or coated with a corrosion resistant material such as
stainless steel or chromium, and should have smooth polished surfaces with an average roughness Ra of
less than 0,8 μm as a manufacturing specification. The cone surface has to remain smooth with use, and
should be replaced if the smooth surface is noticeably damaged.
4.2.2.4 The maximum wear b shall be less than 0,3 mm (see Figure 2).
4.2.3 Sample cup.
The sample cup shall be made of non-corrodible and rigid material, spherical or cylindrical in shape. If
cylindrical, it shall have a base parallel to the rim with a diameter of at least 50 mm and a depth of at
least 25 mm if the 60 g/60° cone is used and a depth of at least 40 mm if the 80 g/30° cone is used.
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4.2.4 Timing device.
A clock or stop-watch, or similar, capable of being read to the nearest 1 s.
4.3 Casagrande method
4.3.1 Casagrande apparatus.
The Casagrande apparatus is shown schematically in Figure 3. The apparatus consists of a specimen cup
which is raised by a cam and then dropped a specified distance onto a base. The device may be operated
by either a hand crank or electric motor. Dimensions, manufacturing specifications and tolerances are
included in Annex A. A Casagrande apparatus and grooving tool in accordance with other specifications
may be adopted provided it can be shown to give comparable results.
Key
1 specimen cup (= bowl)
2 hanger
3 carriage with pin
4 cam (turned by handle or motor)
5 base
6 rubber feet
7 point of contact
Figure 3 — Schematic of the Casagrande apparatus
4.3.2 Base and rubber feet.
The base and feet shall be made of rubber complying with the requirements of Table 2. The feet
supporting the base, are designed to provide isolation of the base from the work surface.
Table 2 — Base and feet — Rubber requirements
Hardness of the feet Hardness of the base Resilience of the base
Shore A value Resilience (rebound value)
Shore D value of at least 80
between 62 and 65 between S = 0,80 and S = 0,90
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Measurement of hardness (Shore A and Shore D) and resilience S is defined in A.3.7.5.
4.3.3 Specimen Cup.
The specimen cup should be made of brass or stainless steel. The shape of the cup shall be a segment of
a sphere. Dimensions, manufacturing specifications and tolerances are included in Annex A.
The cup should not be polished. The surface has to remain smooth with use, and should be replaced if
the smooth surface is noticeably damaged.
4.3.4 Cam.
The cam shall raise the cup smoothly and continuously to its maximum height, by increasing the radius
of the cam over at least 180° of cam rotation. The final portion of the cam shall be shaped so that the cup
does not develop an upward or downward velocity when the cam follower leaves the cam. A logarithmic
spiral design has been found to be satisfactory.
4.3.5 Carriage.
The carriage is constructed in a way that allows convenient but secure adjustment of the 10 mm height-
of-drop of the cup.
4.3.6 Motor drive (optional).
The apparatus may be equipped with a motor to turn the cam and if used shall operate at 2 ± 0,25
revolutions per second. The motor shall be isolated from the rest of the device by rubber mounts or in
some other way that prevents vibration from the motor being transmitted to the rest of the apparatus.
4.3.7 Grooving tool.
A flat or curved tool made of plastic or non-corroding-metal. The grooving tool shall have a bevelled tip
(see Annex A). The design of the tool may vary as long as the essential dimensions are maintained. The
tool may, but need not incorporate the gauge for adjusting the height-of-drop of the liquid limit device.
4.4 Plastic limit equipment
4.4.1 Mixing plate.
The mixing plate shall be flat, clean and smooth, and should be free from significant scratches which
affect the behaviour during rolling of the threads. A glass plate of about 10 mm thick and 300 mm
square has been found to be convenient.
4.4.2 Rod or gauge.
Either a rod with a diameter between 3 mm and 3,5 mm, or a gauge with an opening of the same size,
shall be used.
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SIST EN ISO 17892-12:2018
ISO 17892-12:2018(E)

5 Test procedure
5.1 Choice of liquid limit method
Two independent test methods are included in this document for the determination of the liquid limit.
The fall cone method provides results with higher repeatability, and is the preferred method. However,
there is a long history of use of the Casagrande method and its use is equally permitted.
NOTE 1 The two methods are known to give a difference in results. Experience has shown that the liquid limit
determined by the fall cone and the Casagrande apparatus are in general agreement at a w of around 30 % to
L
40 %. At higher values of w , the Casagrande apparatus generally gives slightly greater values of liquid limit. At
L
lower values of w , the Casagrande apparatus generally gives slightly smaller values of liquid limit.
L
For both liquid limit methods either a four-point test, or a one-point test, may be used. The four-point
test is described here and is preferred. However the one-point method may be appropriate in soils
whose plasticity is well understood and for which robust correlation factors have been established.
NOTE 2 In the four point liquid limit method the test is carried out at four different water contents whereas in
the one point method the test is carried out at a single water content.
The choice of test method to be used shall be agreed with the client and reported.
5.2 Specimen preparation
5.2.1 Whenever possible the tests shall be carried out on soil from its natural state. About 200 g of soil
finer than 0,4 mm is required for the determination of the liquid limit by either method. Sieves with an
aperture of 0,425 mm or an aperture of 0,400 mm are acceptable for removing the coarser material.
NOTE Where, further in this document, a 0,4 mm or nearest sieve is mentioned, sieves with an aperture of
0,425 mm or an aperture of 0,400 mm, are acceptable.
Soils should not normally be oven-dried before testing, but if this is necessary it shall be reported.
For soils that are susceptible to oxidation when exposed to air, the tests should either be determined
immediately after extrusion, or if done at a later time, the specimen shall be sealed until the test is
performed.
5.2.2 If the sample does not include material larger than about 0,4 mm, go to 5.2.8.
5.2.3 If the sample includes material larger than about 0,4 mm, this coarser fraction should be removed
as in 5.2.4 to 5.2.7.
5.2.4 Determine the water content (w) of a representative specimen of the original sample according
to ISO 17892-1.
5.2.5 Weigh a representative specimen of undried soil that will give at least 200 g of soil passing a
0,4 mm or nearest sieve. Weigh this representative specimen of undried soil to 0,1 % of its mass or 0,01 g,
whichever is the greater (m ).
1
5.2.6 If the fraction larger than 0,4 mm consists of a small number of discrete coarse particles, these
may be removed by hand, dried at 105 °C to 110 °C and weighed (m ).
r
5.2.7 If the coarse fraction cannot readily be removed by hand, the particles shall be removed using the
wet separation method as follows.
5.2.7.1 Place the specimen in a container and add just enough distilled water to cover it, and then stir
until it forms a slurry.
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ISO 17892-12:2018(E)

5.2.7.2 Pour the slurry through a 0,4 mm or nearest sieve. A larger aperture guard sieve may be used
to protect this sieve. Wash the material retained on the sieve with a minimum amount of distilled water
until the water passing the 0,4 mm or nearest sieve is virtually clear. Re
...