Shrinkage / Plastic / Liquid Limit
The Shrinkage limit, Plastic Limit and Liquid limit together form the Atterberg limits, important for the effect of water on clay or silt soils. The relationship between the three is that the shrinkage limit defines when dry soil becomes friable, the plastic limit is where the soil becomes malleable and the liquid limit where the soil becomes liquid and able to flow.
Manual Liquid Limit Device (Casagrande)
The UTEST Manual Liquid Limit Apparatus (Casagrande) is an apparatus used to measure the moisture content at which clay soils pass from plastic to liquid state.
The device comprises of a blow counter, a removable brass cup fitted on the base and an adjustable crank and cam mechanism. According to the user's required specifications, different models with the same shape but with different cup and base weights are available.
The Liquid Limit Device is supplied complete with a plastic grooving tool.
Linear Shrinkage Mould
UTS-0235
The UTS-0235, Linear Shrinkage Mould is 140 mm long and has a radius of 12.5mm. It is used to determine the total linear shrinkage of soils and indicates the plastic properties of soils with low clay content.
Shrinkage Limit Test Sets
UTS-0230
When the water content of a fine-grained cohesive soil is reduced below the plastic limit, shrinkage of the soil mass continues until the shrinkage limit is reached. This test method is used to measure the shrinkage ratio, volumetric shrinkage, shrinkage limit and linear shrinkage.
The Shrinkage Limit Test Set is supplied complete with;
- Prong Plate
- Moisture Content Tin with Lid, aluminum, Ø:45 mm h:10 mm, 2 pcs.
- Moisture Content Tin with Lid, aluminum, Ø:55 mm h:35 mm
- Porcelain Dish, 120mm dia.
- Spatula, 120 mm
- Graduated Glass Cylinder, 25 ml,
- Carrying Case
Plastic Limit Test Set
UTS-0250
The plastic limit (PL) is the term used for the lowest moisture content of a soil that will allow a sample to be rolled into threads of 3 mm diameter without the threads breaking.
The Plastic Limit Test Set is supplied complete with:
- Glass Plate, 300x300x5 mm
- Steel Reference Rod
- Moisture Content Tins, Ø:75 mm h:30, 6 pcs.
- Porcelain Mixing Dish, 120 mm dia.
- Spatula, 120mm
- Carrying Case
Semi-Automatic Penetrometer for Liquid Limit
UTS-0180
When clay soils pass from a plastic state to a liquid state, a Cone Penetrometer can be used to determine the moisture content. They can also be used to determine the undrained shear strength.
The UTS-0180 Semi-Automatic Penetrometer for Liquid Limit consists of a cast iron base with course and fine leveling screws, a digital penetration measurement gauge 0.01 mm resolution/readability and an automatic penetration timer unit.
The penetrometer comes complete with a digital 99 second timer. The timer has a standard setting of a 5 second free-fall time, however it can be changed for customized tests if required. When engaged, the timer will allow the needle to free fall into the sample for the specific time interval and then lock the needle from advancing while providing a direct reading of the test results.
For the shear strength test, a weight of 320g should be added to the 30° angle cone to achieve a total weight of 400g.
Semi-Automatic Penetrometer for Liquid Limit supplied complete with;
- Automatic Penetration Timer Unit,
- 30° Penetration Cone
- Sample Cups, 3 pcs. Aluminum, Ø55 mm x h:35 mm.