When soil testing is critical, trust Humboldt’s Atterberg Limits Soil Testing Equipment
Atterberg Limits Soil Testing, ASTM D4318
Atterberg limits is a basic measure of the critical water content of fine-grained soils. These tests include shrinkage limit, plastic limit, and liquid limit, which are outlined in ASTM D4943. Depending on the water content of a soil, it may appear in four states: solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid. The consistency and behavior of a soil is different as are the engineering properties at varying degrees of moisture content. Thus, the boundary between each state can be defined based on a change in the soil's behavior. The Atterberg limits can be used to distinguish between silt and clay, and to distinguish between different types of silts and clays. These limits and tests were developed by Albert Atterberg, a Swedish agriculturist and later, were refined by Arthur Casagrande.
Atterberg Limits Soil Testing, ASTM D4318
These tests can be used in evaluating various soils, which will ultimately have structures built upon them. Soils when wet retain water, and some expand in volume. The amount of expansion of a soil is related to the ability of it to absorb water and its structural make-up. Atterberg tests are mainly used on clayey or silty soils since these are the soils most affected by expansion and shrinkage due to varying moisture contents.
Thus the Atterberg tests are used widely in the preliminary design stages of structures ensuring that the soil will have the correct amount of shear strength and will exhibit minimal volume change as it expands and shrinks with different moisture contents.
For more information about the importance of Atterberg Limits, view the Humboldt Quick Reference Guide
Liquid Limit Testing Tools
The liquid limit test, defined in ASTM Standard D4318, determines the water content at which the behavior of a clayey soil changes from plastic to liquid. However, the transition from plastic to liquid behavior is gradual over a range of water contents, and the shear strength of the soil is not actually zero at the liquid limit. The precise definition of the liquid limit is based on standard test procedures. Liquid Limit can be determined using the Casagrande cup method, which is widely used in the United States or with a cone penetrometer, which is more prevalent in Europe.
For more information about Humboldt's Atterberg Limits products, visit our Atterberg Limitis Soil Testing Equipment page.
H-4234.XX
Atterberg Limits (Liquid Limit Testing)
Recommended for performing liquid limit test in accordance with ASTM specifications.
Liquid Limit Machine, Liquid Limit
Unit consists of brass cup, cam mechanism, carriage and crank mounted on a hard rubber base.
H-4226.XX
Motorized ASTM Liquid Limit Machine
Motorized liquid limit machine gives uniform testing with greater degree of accuracy.
Liquid Limit Machine, ASTM with Counter
Hand-operated liquid limit machine features mechanical revolution counter attached to the shaft.
Cone Penetrometer, Digital
Features a spirit level for maintaining a level testing position.
H-5237.XX
Cone Penetrometer, Digital, Semi-Automatic
Equipped with a magnetic controller device with an electronic, digital, programmable timer.
Cone Penetrometer, Dial Indicator
Easily readable and is graduated in 0.1mm divisions.
H-4237.XX
Cone Penetrometer, Semi-Automatic
Ensures a free-falling cone during the five second test.
Plastic Limit Testing Tools
Plastic limit is a test that involves rolling out a thread of the fine portion of a soil on a flat, non-porous surface. The procedure is defined in ASTM Standard D4318. If the soil is at a moisture content where its behavior is plastic, this thread will retain its shape down to a very narrow diameter. The sample can then be remolded and the test repeated. As the moisture content falls due to evaporation, the thread will begin to break apart at larger diameters. The plastic limit is defined as the moisture content where the thread breaks apart at a diameter of 3.2 mm (about 1/8 inch). A soil is considered non-plastic if a thread cannot be rolled out down to 3.2 mm at any moisture possible.
To obtain more information about Humboldt's Atterberg Limits products, visit our Atterberg Limitis Soil Testing Equipment page.
Plastic Limit Set
Perform plastic limit tests in accordance with specifications.
Plastic Limit Plate
Glass plate with ground finish on one side and seamed edges.
Plastic Limit Roller
Easily repeatable mechanical technique produces consistent test results and saves time.
Adhesive Paper
Pad of 50 sheets of special adhesive backed paper for Plastic Limit.
Shrinkage Limit Testing Tools
Shrinkage limit is a test that evaluates the water content of a soil where further loss of moisture will not result in an additional volume reduction. The test to determine the shrinkage limit is ASTM D4943. The shrinkage limit is much less commonly used than the liquid and plastic limits.
For more information about Humboldt's Atterberg Limits products, please visit our Atterberg Limitis Soil Testing Equipment page.
Contact a Humboldt product specialist at 1.800.544.7220 to learn more about our Atterberg Limits Soil Testing Equipment
