Aggregate T-89

January 2011

Determining the Liquid Limit of Soils

AASHTO T-89-10
(Modified)
The Liquid Limit of a soil is an index corresponding to the moisture content at which the soil
passes from a plastic to a liquid state. Liquid limit is used in conjunction with the Plastic Limit
(AASHTO T-90) to determine the Plasticity Index (PI) of a soil. Liquid Limit and PI provide an
indication of the clayeyness of a soil. Material with a high Liquid Limit and PI will be
unsuitable for many construction applications due to this clayeyness. Conversely, material
with a relatively low Liquid Limit and PI is generally desirable in highway construction.
Modifications: 1. Only NMDOT approved mechanical apparatus and grooving tool
will be allowed.
2. Moistened sample material will season for a minimum of 30 minutes.
3. No additional dry material shall be added to moistened material.
4. Only distilled or demineralized water shall be used.
Key Elements:
1. Prepare sample. As per the Dry Preperation or Wet Preperation tests. This test requires a
minimum of 100 g of sample passing 425 m (#40) sieve (4.1).
2. Inspect and adjust test apparatus. Apparatus includes liquid limit device (3.3.2), porcelain
mixing dish (a porcelain dish, preferably unglazed, or similar mixing dish, about 115 mm in
diameter)(3.1); spatula (75 mm 100 mm in length and about 20 mm in width)(3.2); grooving tool
(3.4.1); gauge for cup drop height (3.5); moisture determination containers with lids (3.6);
balance conforming to AASHTO M-231, Class G1 (3.7); and drying oven (3.7). Liquid
Limit device must be in good working order, with no parts unusually loose or worn. All
apparatus shall be clean, dry and within specifications. Numbered moisture containers and
lids will be weighed and recorded before each test is performed. Before testing, check the
drop height on liquid limit device using tape and gauge block and adjust as necessary. (5.2,
Note 4)
3. Adjust sample moisture and mix. Use distilled or demineralized water only. Initially add
15 to 20 ml to dry sample and mix in proper mixing dish with spatula for 5 to 10 minutes
(6.1). The moisture of the sample may then be adjusted by adding water in small increments
not to exceed approximately 3 ml and thoroughly mixing after each addition for a minimum
of 1 minute, or by air drying while kneading or mixing (6.1.). Moisture may not be adjusted
by adding dry soil to moistened sample (6.1). If sample is too wet to air-dry in a reasonable
time, discard sample and start over. Cover sample and allow to season for a minimum of 30
minutes (Note 5). The cup of the liquid limit device shall not be used for mixing soil and
water (6.1).
4. Spread sample into cup of device. Remix sample and spread above spot where cup rest on
base. Spread so that the top surface is as near level as possible and 10 mm in thickness at
maximum depth. Use as few strokes as possible, and be careful not to entrap air into the
sample. Return excess material to mixing dish. (6.2)
New Mexico Technician Training and Certification Program

Aggregate T-89

January 2011

5. Cut groove in sample. Groove shall be cut through center of sample, perpendicular to the hinge
pin of the Liquid Limit cup. Use as few strokes as possible to prevent tearing or slipping of the
sample. Up to 6 strokes from front to back or from back to front counting as one stroke are permitted
by the test method, and only the last stroke shall touch the bottom of the cup. (6.2)

6. Turn device on and count taps. Turn machine on and count the number of taps required to
close the groove for a length of 13 mm (1/2) (6.3). If sample slides on the surface of the cup
instead of flowing, add water, remix, and repeat test (Note 6). If problem recurs, discontinue
test and note that liquid limit test is not applicable to this particular sample.
7. Take sample for moisture content determination. Using spatula, take a slice of the sample
the width of the spatula at the point of closure. The slice shall extend from edge to edge of
the soil cup and perpendicular to the groove for the full depth of the sample (6.4). Place this
moisture sample in a suitable container, cover immediately, weigh and record weight
immediately. Steps 4, 5, 6 and 7 shall be completed within 3 minutes (16.1.4).
8. Remove cover, place in oven at 110 5C (230 9F) and dry to constant mass.
Constant mass is defined as after initial drying the weight of the material decreases by less
than 0.1% after a minimum of 10 minutes additional drying. When removing sample from
oven to determine constant mass cover immediately.
W1 W2 x 100, W2 W3 x 100, etc.
W2
W3

9. Repeat steps 3 through 7 to obtain three acceptable points. Return remaining soil in cup to
mixing dish. Apparatus shall be cleaned and dried between tests (6.5). Adjustment of moisture shall
follow guidelines in step No. 3, and should be done by wetting. If it is necessary to dry the soil to
obtain three acceptable points, do this by air-drying while stirring or kneading the sample with the
spatula in the mixing dish. Do not add dry soil to the sample. Three acceptable points are defined as
follows:
a)

One point shall be obtained in each of the following range of blow counts:
25-35; 20-30; and 15-25.

b) At least a 10-blow difference between the highest and lowest points. (6.6)

10. Complete moisture content determination on samples. After drying to constant mass, cool to
room temperature and weigh to 0.01 g, and calculate moisture content to nearest 0.1%.
11. Plot flow curve and determine Liquid Limit. The flow curve is made by plotting the
individual moisture contents and the number of blows required to close the grooves, on a semilogarithmic graph, for each of the three points (9.1). A best-fit straight line is then drawn through the
points. The moisture content corresponding to the intersection of the best-fit line with the 25-tap line
is recorded as the Liquid Limit. (10.1)
12. Report Liquid Limit. The Liquid Limit is the nearest whole number (10.1) corresponding

to the percent moisture at 25 taps from the flow curve. Example: If the moisture content
from the flow curve at 25 taps is 38.4% the Liquid Limit is reported as 38 (not 38.4, 0.384,
0.38 or 38%).

New Mexico Technician Training and Certification Program