EXPERIMENT 1:

DETERMINATON OF MOISTURE CONTENT

THEORY / INTRODUCTION:
For many soils, the water content may be an extremely important index used for
establishing the relationship between the way a soil behaves and its properties.
The consistency of a fine-grained soil largely depends on its water content. The
water content is also used in expressing the phase relationships of air, water, and
solids in a given volume of soil.
The natural water content also called the natural moisture content is the ratio of
the weight of water to the weight of the solids in a given mass of soil. This ratio is
usually expressed as percentage.
In almost all soil tests natural moisture content of the soil is to be determined.
The knowledge of the natural moisture content is essential in all studies of soil
mechanics. To sight a few, natural moisture content is used in determining the
bearing capacity and settlement. The natural moisture content will give an idea of
the state of soil in the field.
OBJECTIVE:

To determine the total moisture content of a soil. The soil is dried to remove all

free moisture.
This test measures the weight of the moisture removed from the soil.

EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS:

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Oven

Weigh balance

Containers
Sample from site investigation
(Politeknik Sabak Bernam)

Spatula

PROCEDURE:
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1. Weigh a clean, dry, and empty container and record as tare weight.
2. Place 2 sample in container to prevent moisture loss. Weigh sample and record
as mass of original sample.
3. Place the sample in oven at temperature of 230 9F (110 5C). A sample
allowed to dry overnight, or 24 hours, is considered dried to a constant weight.
4. Remove the sample from the oven and allow it to cool before placing on balance.
5. Weigh the sample with cover and record this weight as dry weight
6. Discard sample after test.
DATA/RESULT:
Project : Site Investgation in Politeknik Sabak Bernam , Selangor
BH No.
:5
Sample No . : 517/018
Depth : 25.51 m 25.95 m
Test data
Weight of container+
soil (g)
Weigh
Wet
Dry
t
22.53
76.62g
50.63g
g
22.34
90.17g
59.52g
g

Container
Numbe
r
E7
BE

Weight (g)
Soil
28.10g

Moistur
e
25.99g

37.18g

30.65g

Result
Moisture content (%)
w

Average

92.49
%
82.44
%

1.12%

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
E7 (Sample 1)
Mass of water = Masses of wet soil and container Masses of dry soil and container
= 76.62 g 50.63 g
= 25.99 g
Mass of dry soil = Masses of dry soil and container Mass of container
= 50.63 g 22.53 g
= 28.10 g
Moisture Content ,w = (Mass of water Mass of dry soil) 100%
= (25.99 g 28.10 g) 100%
= 92.49 %
BE (Sample 2)
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Mass of water = Masses of wet soil and container Masses of dry soil and container
= 90.17 g 59.52 g
= 30.65 g
Mass of dry soil = Masses of dry soil and container Mass of container
= 59.52 g 22.34 g
= 37.18 g
Moisture Content ,w = (Mass of water Mass of dry soil) 100%
= (30.65 g 37.18 g) 100%
= 82.44 %
Average

= Moisture content E7 Moisture content BE

= 92.49 % / 82.44 %
= 1.12 %

DISCUSSION:
Based on the data of determination moisture content of soil , there are 2
sample are used from site investigate at Politeknik Sabak Bernam , Selangor to
determine the moisture content of soil (depth 25.51 m 25.95 m). after the
sample are dry on the oven for 24 hours, the mass of dry soil Sample 1 (E7) is
28.10 g while sample 2 (BE) is 37.18 g . mass of water for sample 1 is 25.99 g
and sample 2 is 30.65 g and the moisture content of soil for sample 1 (92.49%)
and sample 2 (82.44%). From the moisture content test we can determine the
state of soil and soil behavior .
CONCLUSION:
The average moisture content of all two samples gave a calculated value
of 1.12% which is the natural moisture content of the soil sample that was given.
During the experiment , make sure the sample are handle with spatula and when
weight

the

sample

on

balance

make

sure

there

impurities/substance to avoid from error on the balance .

REFERENCE:
4 | Page

are

no

dirt

or

http://www.scribd.com/doc/59681738/Geotechnics-Moisture-Content-LabReport#scribd

APPENDICES

5 | Page

Figure 1:
For the determination of moisture content test , we used the sample from the site investig
Figure 2:
Weigh the empty container with weight balance

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Figure
Figure 2:
Figure
1:5:
the and
dry soil
+
container
.sample
from on
thein
data
canfor
calculate
misture content of the soil
Lable the Weight
2 sample
placed
the
sample
tray
Placed
the
thewe
oven
24 hours

EXPERIMENT 2:
LIQUID LIMIT TEST
THEORY / INTRODUCTION:
Liquid limit is an empirically established moisture content at which a soil passes
from liquid state to the plastic state, while plastic limit is a moisture content at
which a soil passes from plastic to semi-solid state. Sometimes it is also referred
as Atterberg limits. The presence of water in fine-grained soils can significantly
affect associated engineering behaviour, so to clarify the effects, a reference
index Liquid limit and Plastic limit is established. Both of the parameters
provide a means of classifying a soil.
The liquid limit of a soil can be determined using the Cone Penetrometer or the
Casagrande apparatus .In the Penetrometer test, the liquid limit of the soil is the
7 | Page

moisture content at which an80g, 300 cone sinks exactly 20 mm into a cup of
remoulded soil in a 5s period. At this moisture content the soil will be very soft.
The liquid limit is generally determined by mixing soils to consistencies just wet
and dry of the liquid limit and determining the liquid limit moisture content. The
Cone Penetrometer is considered a more satisfactory method than the
alternative because it is essentially a static test which relies on the shear strength
of the soil, whereas the alternative Casagrande method introduces dynamic
effects.

OBJECTIVE:

Figure 1: Cone penetration apparatus

Determination of Liquid Limit through Cone Penetrometer Method

EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS:
Oven

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Weigh balance

A flat glass plate, which the soil is mixed.

Containers

Sample dry soil 220g

Cone Penetrometer

Spatula

Distilled water

PROCEDURE:
1) Weigh a sample of about 220g sample in the container

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2) The prepared paste is mixed for at least 10 min using the spatula. If necessary
more distilled water is added so that the first cone penetration reading is about
less then 20mm.
3) A portion of the mixed soil is pushed into the cup with a spatula taking care not to
trap air. Excess soil is struck off with the straightedge to give a smooth and shiny
level surface
4) The penetration cone locked in the raised position and the supporting assembly
is lowered so that the tip of the cone just touches the surface of the soil. When
the cone is in the correct position a slight movement of the cup will just mark the
soil surface. The stem of the dial gauge is lowered to contact the cone shaft and
the reading of the dial gauge is recorded to the nearest 0.1mm.
5) The cone is released for a period of 5 1s. Then, the cone is locked in position
and the stem of the dial gauge is lowered to contact the cone shaft to record the
reading of the dial gauge to the nearest 0.1mm. The difference between the
beginning and the end of the drop as the cone penetration is recorded.
6) The cone is lifted up and cleaned carefully to avoid scratching.

7) A moisture content sample of about 10g is taken from the area penetrated by the
cone and the moisture content is determined
8) Placed the sample in the oven for 24 hours and record the dry soil with container
DATA/RESULT:
Liquid Limit
Project : Site investigation at Politeknik Sabak Bernam, Selangor
B/H No : 5
Sample No. : 517 / 018
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Depth (m) : 25.52 m 25.95 m

Intial dial gauge reading
0
Final dial gauge reading
20.5 mm
Penetration
20.5 mm
Container No.
235
Mass of wet soil + container
3702 g
Mass of dry soil + container
28.37 g
Mass of container
6.54 g

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h)
i)
j)
k)

Mass of dry soil

Mass of moisture
Moisture content
Liquid limit , wl

21.83 g
8.65 g
39.62 %

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
Sample calculation for penetration at 20.5 mm :
Mass of moisture (water) = Mass of wet soil and container Mass of dry soil and
container
= 37.02 g 28.37 g
= 8.65 g

Mass of dry soil = Masses of dry soil and container Mass of container
= 28.37 g 6.54 g
= 21.83 g
Moisture Content ,w = (Mass of water Mass of dry soil) 100%
= (8.65 g 21.83 g) 100%
= 39.62 %

Liquid Limit , WL = 39.62 %

DISCUSSION:
After the penetration values are obtained, the moisture content sample of
about 10g is taken from the area penetrated by the cone and placed in a dish.
The masses of dish and masses of dish with each wet soil sample are recorded.
They are then placed in oven at 24 hours to dry and we obtain the masses of
dish with dry soil sample after all the moisture in the soil had evaporated. And
same goes to the soil samples for plastic limit test. These data is used to
calculate the moisture content in the soil sample. For liquid limit test, the
penetration values are plotted against the moisture content. By drawing a best fit
line in accordance the graph data, the liquid limit is defined as the moisture
content of the soil sample when penetration is 20mm , which is 39.62%

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CONCLUSION:
The liquid limit that is an empirically determined state at which a transition
from a softly plastic to liquid state occurs ,therefore after its achieving soil starts
to behave as a liquid substance . In conclusion before realization of the tests the
sample set up for 24 hours for the purpose of even distribution of moisture.
During the experiment , wet soil taken in the container for moisture content
determination should not be left open in the air, the container with soil sample
should either be placed in desiccators or immediately be weighed.
REFERENCE:
1. http://www.academia.edu/6699667/Determination_of_Liquid_Limit_and_Plastic_L
imit
APPENDICES:

Figure 2:
Figure 1:
The prepared paste is mixed
for at
least
using the spatula. If necessary more distilled water is
Weight
220g
of10
soilmin
sample

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Figure 4:
Figure 3:
Take
of soil
the middle
of cone
container
andisweight
the
Placed
the
sa
Then,some
the cone
is at
locked
in position
andand
the placed
stem ofon
the
dial gauge
lowered
tosample
contact. the
cone
sha

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EXPERIMENT 3:
PLASTIC LIMIT TEST
THEORY / INTRODUCTION:
Most method for determination of plastic limit is by rolling a thread of soil
(on glass plate) until it crumbles at a diameter of 3 mm (Figure 1). The traditional
plastic limit test(the rolling thread test) has several disadvantages perhaps the
main of which is operator sensitivity. According to Whyte (1982), if full saturation
and incompressibility are assumed, plasticity theory indicates that the soil yield
stress will be a function of a number of parameter:
(a) The pressure applied to the soil thread
(b) The geometry, i.e. The contact area between hand and thread
(c) The friction between the soil, hand and base plate
(d) The rate of rolling
The plastic limit is the moisture content that defines where the soil
changes from a semi-solid to a plastic (flexible) state. The plastic limit is the
moisture content of the soil under test when remoulded and rolled between the
tips of the fingers and a glass plate such that longitudinal and transverse cracks
appear at a rolled diameter of 3mm. At this point the soil has a stiff consistency.

Figure 1: The crumbling thread of traditional plastic limit test

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OBJECTIVE:

Determination of Plastic Limit through Cone Penetrometer Method

EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS:
Oven

Weigh balance

A flat glass plate, which the soil is mixed.

Containers

Sample dry soil 220g and spatula

Distilled water

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PROCEDURE:
1) The plastic limit is the moisture content of the soil under test when remoulded
and rolled between the tips of the fingers and a glass plate such that longitudinal
and transverse cracks appear at a rolled diameter of 3mm.
2) A sample of about 20g is taken from the soil paste prepared and placed on the
glass plate.
3) The prepared paste is thoroughly mixed with water until the soil becomes plastic
enough to be shaped into a ball
4) Approximately 8g-12g of the moistened soil is taken and formed into a uniform
mass roughly elliptical in shape.
5) The ball of soil is rolled by tips of the fingers on the glass plate with just enough
pressure to form an elongated thread as rolling proceeds.
6) If the soil can be rolled to a thread 3 mm thick without crumbling. Rolling and
amassing is repeated until the soil crumbles under slight pressure required for
rolling and the thread is nearly 3mm before it crumbled.
7) Gather portions of the crumbled soil and the moisture content of the soil is
recorded immediately
DATA/RESULT:
Mass of

Mass of wet

Mass of dry

Mass of

Mass of dry

Moisture

container

roll 3mm

roll 3mm

moisture

soil

content

(g)

specimen

specimen

(water)

(g)

(%)

(g)

container

container

(g)
13.73 g

(g)
12.32 g

5.76 g

24.48 %

6.56 g

1.41 g

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
Mass of moisture (water) = (Mass of wet roll 3mm soil+container ) (Mass of dry roll
3mm soil+container)
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= 13.73 g 12.32 g
= 1.41 g
Mass of dry soil = (Masses of dry roll 3mm soil + container) (Mass of container)
= 12.32 g 6.56 g
= 5.76 g
Moisture Content ,w = (Mass of moisture Mass of dry soil) 100%
= (1.41 g 5.76 g) 100%
= 24.48 %
Plastic Limit , Wp = 24.48 %
Plasticity Index = WL WP
= 39.62 % - 24.48 %
= 15.14 %
DISCUSSION:
For plastic limit test, 3 thread of soil samples which crumbled at a diameter near
to 3 mm is placed in the dish for determine the average moisture content, which
is 24.48 %. The plasticity index are determine by calculate the different value of
liquid limit between plastic limit value is thus 15.14 % . the plasticity index of soil
are classified as low plasticity index . the low plasticity index , the soil consider as
silt .
CONCLUSION:
The Plastic Limit, also known as the lower plastic limit, is the water content at
which a soil changes from the plastic state to a semisolid state.

REFERENCE:

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1. http://www.academia.edu/6699667/Determination_of_Liquid_Limit_and_Plastic_L
imit

APPENDICES:

Figure
Figure
Figure
2: 4: 1:
The
AfterPlaced
ball
dryof
the
soil
the
3mm
is
roll
rolled
thread
3mmby
thread
in
tips
theofin
oven
thefingers
the about
container
24
on hours
the
andglass
weight
,weight
plate
the
the
with
3mm
dryjust
soil
rollenough
thread
and record
pressure
of soil
the
with
data
to container
form
n plastic
an e

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EXPERIMENT 4:
LINEAR SHRINKAGE LIMIT TEST

THEORY / INTRODUCTION:
The shrinkage limit is the moisture content that defines where the soil
volume will not reduce further if the moisture content is reduced. The shrinkage
limit is the water content of the soil when the water is just sufficient to fill all the
pores of the soil and the soil is just saturated. The volume of the soil does not
decrease when the water content is reduced below the shrinkage limit. It can be
determined from the relation
Shrinkage limit is one of the three Atterberg limits and is also one of the
three characteristics limiting water content of fine-grained soils. It is the limiting
water content of a soil mass below which any reduction in water content of the
soil mass will not cause any decrease in the volume of the soil mass. It can be
regarded as an index property representing the volume stability of soil mass
subjected to shrink-age in the field.

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Figure 1:
OBJECTIVE:

Preparation of sample in shrinkage mould

To determine the shrinkage limit and calculate the shrinkage ratio for the given

soil.
To obtain a quantitative indication of how much change in moisture can occur
before any appreciable volume changes occurs

EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS:

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A flat glass plate

Soil sample and Spatula

Oven

Ruler

(to measure the length of shrinkage dish)

Shrinkage mould . Circular, porcelain or non-corroding metal dish

PROCEDURE:
Preparation of soil paste
1.
2.

Take about 220 g of soil sample from a thoroughly mixed portion.

Place about 30 gm the above soil sample in the evaporating dish and
thoroughly mixed with distilled water and make a creamy paste.

Filling the shrinkage dish

1. Coat the inside of the shrinkage dish with a thin layer of Vaseline to prevent
the soil sticking to the dish.
2. Fill the mould in three layers by placing approximately 1/3 rd of the amount of
wet soil with the help of spatula. Tap the mould gently on a firm base until the
soil flows over the edges and no apparent air bubbles exist.
21 | P a g e

3. Repeat this process for 2nd and 3rd layers also till the dish is completely filled
with the wet soil. Strike off the excess soil and make the top of the mould
smooth. Wipe off all the soil adhering to the outside of the mould.
4. Measure immediately, the mould with wet soil and record the the length of
shrinkage mould metal with ruler
5. Placed the wet soil in oven for 24 hours (overnight) 105 0C to 1100C
6. Remove the dried mould of the soil from oven. Cool it in a desiccator. Then
obtain the length of the mould with dry sample and analyze the shrinkage
limit.

DATA/RESULT:
Borehole No.
Sample No.
Depth (m)
Liquid limit (%)
Mould no.
Initial length of soil sample , A
Length of oven dried soil sample , B
Linear Shrinkage , LS
Plasticity Index , PI

5
517/018
25.52 m -25.95m
39.62 %
1
14 cm
13.3 cm
5%
10.65 %

SAMPLE CALCULATION:

Linear Shrinkage , LS =

(1 BA ) 100
cm
100
(1 13.3
14 cm )

=5%

Plasticty Index

= Linear Shrinkage (LS)

= 5 x 2.13

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2.13

= 10.65 %

DISCUSSION:
From data obtained during the experiment , the objective the linear
shrinkage limit test are carried out to determine the changes in length of soil
sample when oven dried. The actual length of soil in mould is 14 cm and when
the soil sample dried in oven overnight it shrink to 13.3 cm . The plasticity index
of the soil sample is 10.65 % . we can conclude that the relationship between
linear shrinkage value with plasticity index that the shrinkage occur in horizontal
of soil at its liquid limit.
When the linear shrinkage limit test occur , there is some precaution need
to follow such as during filling the shrinkage dish with soil paste, sufficient
tapping should be done to remove the entrapped air.

CONCLUSION:
Shrinkage ratio is the ratio of a given volume change expressed as a
percentage of the dry volume to the corresponding change in water content
above the shrinkage limit. The value of shrinkage limit is used for understanding
the swelling and shrinkage properties of cohesive soils. It is used for calculating
the shrinkage factors which helps in the design problems of the structures made
up of the soils or/and resting on soil.Linear shrinkage is the decrease in length of
a soil sample when oven-dried, starting with a moisture content of the sample at
the liquid limit
REFERENCE:
1. "Shrinkage Limit Test" (PDF). United States Army Corps of Engineers

23 | P a g e

APPENDICES:

Figure
Figure
1:2:
After
in the
oven overnight
(24 the
hours)
, remove
and analyze
shrinkage
limit
Fill updry
wetthe
soilsoil
in the
shrinkage
mould (Tap
mould
gentlyfrom
on aoven
firm base
until thethe
soil
flows over
the

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