Atterberg limit - Determination of Shrinkage Limit, Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit
Atterberg limit - Determination of Shrinkage Limit, Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit


LIQUID LIMIT ( Wl ) :- 

  • It is the boundary moisture content between liquid and plastic state. At this water content shear strength of soil is negligible and it practically offers no resistance to flow.
  • Liquid limit is calculated using :-
  1. Casagrande Tools
  2. Cone Penetration

PLASTIC LIMIT ( Wp ) :- 

  • It is the boundary moisture content between the plastic state and semi-solid state. At the plastic limit, soil when rolled into a thread of dia. 3mm start to crumble. This test is also known as Plastic Limit Test or Thread Test.
  • Approximately the shear strength of soil at plastic limit is 100 times more than that at liquid limit.


SHRINKAGE LIMIT ( Ws ) :- 

  • It is boundary moisture content between the solid state and semi-solid state .
  • It is the moisture content at which soil is just saturated.
  • When the water content is reduce ( below ) shrinkage limit water content volume of soil doesn't change but colour of soil sample begins to change.

TEST'S are given below:-

Liquid Limit Test - Casagrande Tools
Liquid Limit Test - Casagrande Tools