INTRODUCTION

The plastic limit, of a soil is the lowest water content at which the soil remain plastic, and
when plotted against the liquid limit on the plasticity chart enables the classification of
cohesive soils. The plasticity index of a soil is the numerical difference between the liquid
limit and the plastic limit. It is the moisture content at which the soil is in a plastic state.

Usually, the determination of the plastic limit is made in conjunction with the
determination of the liquid limit. It is recognised that the results of the test are subjected to
the Judgement of the operator, and that some variability in results will occur. It is important
in civil engineering awareness of soil science for seismic mitigation of structure placed on
soil foundation consists of soft soil.

THEORY
The plastic limit of a soil is the moisture content, expressed as a percentage of the mass of the
oven-dried soil, at the boundary between the plastic and semi-solid states. The plastic limit of
a soil is the water content of the soil below which it ceases to be plastic. It begins to crumble
when rolled into threads of 3mm diameter.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the samples of soil which the limit between plastic state and semi-plastic
state
The plasticity index of a soil is the numerical difference between the liquid limit and the
plastic limit. It is the moisture content at which the soil is in a plastic state

APPARATUS
Spatula

Distilled Water

Container

o Soil sample
o Glass plate

PROCEDURE
1. About 20 g of soil sample is being prepared. Dried soil added to it and shaped it into a
ball.
2. The ball sample is moulded between the fingers and rolls it between the palms until
the sample is dried sufficiently for slight cracks to appear in its surface. The sample is
then rolled on the glass plate with the palm. This sample is divided into two sub
samples of about 10g each and carries out separate determination on each portion.
divide each sub sample into four more or less equal parts and treat it.

3. The soil moulded in the fingers to equalize the distribution of moisture from the soil
into thick threads by rolling the soil between the palms and then the threads is rolled
between the fingers 'from fingertips to second joint- of one hand and the surface of the
glass rolling plate. Alternate between mould and rolling to effect the gradual drying of
the soil.
4. The sample is rolled into threads between the fingers, from the fingertip to the second
point of one hand and the palm of the other hand until the thread shears both
longitudinally and the palm of the other hand until the thread shears both
longitudinally and transversely when it has been rolled to about 3 mm in diameter
size. Do not gather the pieces of sample together after they have crumbled, in order to
reform a thread and to continue rolling, the first crumbling point is the plastic limit.
5. 2 metal containers are taken and recorded their identification on the table provided.
Each container is weighed separately and record weights are recorded.
6. The crumbled thread is placed into one container and process of step 4-5 is repeated
on the three other remaining portions, placing all in the same container. The container
containing the crumbled threads is weighed and the weight recorded.
7. The step 4-6 is repeated on the duplicate sample formed in step 6 and the crumbled
threads are placed into another container. The container is weigh and contents, and the
weight recorded.
8. The two containers are placed in the oven. It was left overnight for about 16 hours to
24 hours. After drying, the containers are removed from the oven and allow them to
cool for a while .The dry weight is recorded and the moisture content is determined as
specified in the moisture content test.
9. The two moisture content values of the soil sample are recorded in table.

DATA COLLECTION
PLASTIC LIMIT
Container No
Mass of Wet Soil + Container
Mass of Dry Soil + Container
Mass Of Container
Mass of Dry Soil
Mass of Moisture
Moisture Content
Average Moisture Content
Plastic Limit, Wp

1
MHW
27.58
24.45
18.01
6.45
3.13
48.53%

2
MFR
32.75
30.85
22.23
8.62
1.9
22.04%
35%
35%

DATA ANALYSIS
Moisture content

Average Moisture Content

First Sample

Second Sample

3.13/6.45*100

1.9/8.62*100

= 48.53

=22.04

(48.53 + 22.04)/ 2
= 35.29%

Plastic Limit

= 35.29%

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
The plastic limit is the empirically moisture content at which a soil becomes too dry to be
plastic. It used together with the liquid to determine the plasticity index and it is recognized
that the results are subject to the judgment of the operator, and that some variability in result
will occur. It is convenient to carry out the test on a portion of the prepared material prepared
for one of the liquid limit test procedures. Through this experiment, we managed to achieve
the objective of this lab that is to measure the plastic limit to the given soil sample.
During the progress of the experiment, we found out that there are a lot of factors that
could influence our experiment outcome. Below are the list of precautions that
should be followed in order to achieve the objectives and also better results:
1. We must make sure that our palms are dry when we roll the samples
2. Ensure that there is existence of slight cracks on the entire thread of the soil
samples which are being rolled
3. While weighing containers ensure that there is no any force exerting on the
balance due to its sensitivity.

REFERENCES
1. Books

BS 5930 (Sample Preparation & Soil Classification)

Laboratory Manual & Guidelines, Soil Laboratory,

Department of Civil Engineering UM

Principle of Geotechnical Engineering, Braja M. Das 6 th
Edition, Thomson Inc

2. Lecturer

Madam Siti Farah Edziani

IKRAM staffs

https://www.scribd.com/doc/294163557/Plastic-Limit-Report
https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-

3. Lab Assistant

4. Websites

services/technical-services-repository/GTM-7b.pdf

http://civilengineeringlaboratory.blogspot.my/2012/02/liquid-limit-

and-plastic-limit-tests.html
http://docslide.us/documents/atterburg-limits-lab-report-lab-report1.html

APPENDIX

Figure 1.1- Yuven is shaping the mould with the soil sample provided