PENETRATION

AIM

To determine liquid limit of a given soil using cone penetrometer.

Theory

The Cone Penetrometer apparatus is an alternative method to the Casagrande Device in
measuring the Liquid Limit of a soil sample. It is usually considered to be a more
scientific approach because it is based less upon human judgment. In this method, a
sample is placed in a 55 mm diameter, 40 mm deep metal cup. A stainless steel cone
weighing 80 g (including the shaft) and having a 30 angle is positioned so that its tip just
touches the sample. The cone is released for 5 seconds so that it may penetrate the soil.
The liquid limit is defined as the water content of the soil which allows the cone to
penetrate exactly 20 mm during that period of time. Because it is difficult to obtain a test
with exactly 20 mm penetration, the procedure is performed multiple times with a range
of water contents and the results are interpolated.
The Atterberg limits are a basic measure of the nature of a fine-grained soil. Depending
on the water content of the soil, it may appear in four states: solid, semi-solid, plastic and
liquid. In each state the consistency and behavior of a soil is different and thus so are its
engineering properties. 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 it can distinguish between different types of silts and clays. These limits
were created by Albert Atterberg, a Swedish chemist.They were later refined by Arthur
Casagrande.
The liquid limit (LL) is the water content where a soil changes from plastic to liquid
behavior. The original liquid limit test of Atterberg's involved mixing a pat of clay in a
little round-bottomed porcelain bowl of 10-12cm diameter. A groove was cut through the
pat of clay with a spatula, and the bowl was then struck many times against the palm of
one hand.
Casagrande subsequently standardized the apparatus and the procedures to make the
measurement more repeatable. Soil is placed into the metal cup portion of the device and
a groove is made down its center with a standardized tool. The cup is repeatedly dropped
10mm onto a hard rubber base during which the groove closes up gradually as a result of
the impact. The number of blows for the groove to close for 13 mm ( inch) is recorded.
The moisture content at which it takes 25 drops of the cup to cause the groove to close is
defined as the liquid limit.
The liquid limit is primarily used by civil and geotechnical engineers as a physical
property of a soil. The liquid limit allows engineers to classify soils into their
applications. For instance one soil may have applications in sub-bases of roads, where
another soil may be better suited for foundations of buildings.




APPARATUS
Cone penetrometer
Flat glass pate
Moisture content dish
Spatula
Wash bottle
Metal straight edge
Electronic balance



Figure 2: Cone Penetrometer






Figure 3: Specimen with Cone Penetrator





Figure 1: Specimen Cup




Figure 4: Dish with Sand



PROCEDURE
A sample of 200 250g of soil passing 425 micron BS sieve was collected in
glass plate.
The soil was then mixed thoroughly with little water using a spatula. A small
portion was set aside in a sealed container before adding too much of water while
the soil was still firm.
To the remainder of the soil more water was added, a little at a time, and worked
into a thick homogeneous paste.
The paste was then filled into a cup, and it was ensured that the paste was pressed
into the cup to avoid trapping air.
The cone and its support were carefully lowered without exerting any force on the
stem so that the tip just touched the surface of the soil; it was ensured that the
reading was zeroed before the start of penetration. The reading of the dial gauge
was then noted and recorded.
The cone was allowed to fall by pressing the button, penetration was set to last for
5 seconds
The cone head Lifted and cleaned carefully
Some more water was added and penetration was repeated again. A range of
penetration values from about 15mm and 25mm were discovered.

RESULTS


Table 1: Soil specimen results
Sample
No.
Container
mass (g)
Container
+ wet soil
mass (g)
Container
+ dry soil
mass (g)
Mass
of dry
soil (g)
Mass of
Water (g)
Moisture
Content
(%)
Penetration
(mm)
18 53.5 95.6 89.6 36.1 6 16.6205 17.2
21 54.5 82.3 78.2 23.7 4.1 17.29958 18.3
22 52.7 72.8 69.8 17.1 3 17.54386 26.2

Graph 1: Cone Penetration vs. Moisture Content





Sample No 1 2 3 4
Cone penetration mm 18.4 22.3 24.5 22.0
Crucible No. 35.0 36.0 42.0 40.0
Wt of crucible W1 gm 64.0 64.5 77.8 63.6
W1+ Wet soil = W2 gm 87.8 98.8 120.0 88.6
W1 + Dry soil = W3 gm 83.3 91.8 111.2 82.2
Wt of Water (W2- W3) gm 4.5 7.0 8.8 6.4
Wt of Dry soil (W3-W1) gm 19.3 27.3 33.4 18.6
W/C = (W2-W3)/(W3-W1) x 100 0.23 0.26 0.26 0.34





0
5
10
15
20
25
30
16.4 16.6 16.8 17 17.2 17.4 17.6
P
e
n
e
t
r
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
m
)

Moisture Content(%)
Cone penetration Vs Moisture Content

CALCULATIONS

Sample no. 2

Weight of water, M
W
= 87.8 -83.3 = 4.5 g

Weight of dry soil, M
DS
= 83.3 64 = 19.3 g

Moisture content, m = weight of water / weight of dry soil
= (4.5/19.3) x 100 = 23.3


DISCUSSION

o The graph shows as the water content is increased, penetration also
increased linearly until it reached 28 % where it dropped but this is not
expected so some errors might have contributed to this drop.

o In general penetration increases with the water content.

o When plotted as in the graph above, water limit for is usually at a
penetration of 20mm.





Cone Peneration Vs Moisture Content
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
23 26 28 34
Moisture Content
P
e
n
e
t
r
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
m
)
23.5 25
CONCLUSION

o The aim of the experiment was to determine suitable moisture content for a
sample of sand which was to have a penetration between 19 and 21 mm.
This particular sand sample should have a moisture constant of between
around 23.5 and 25 %.