Determination of Atterberg Limits using the vane shear test method

Year 2024, , 1 - 10, 15.04.2024

Kamil Kayabalı H.b. Nagaraj Deniz Yılmaz Muhammed Beyhan

https://doi.org/10.19111/bulletinofmre.1362349

Abstract

Atterberg limits are important index parameters used to classify soils for various engineering applications. Engineering properties of soils are predicted through simple correlations with index properties and thereby the engineering behavior of soils are qualitatively assessed. There are two popular methods of determining liquid limit, and plastic limit is commonly determined adopting rolling thread methods. To avoid operator related variations in determining plastic limit by conventional method, some researchers have explored using cone method as an alternative. However, there is no consensus about the depth of penetration to reckon the end of plastic state. Though various other test methods have been developed to determine plastic limit (like roll plate device), cone penetration with its limitation of determining
plastic limit, is the only method to determine both liquid and plastic limit of soils. Since laboratory vane shear test is a simple and reliable method of determining undrained strength of fine-grained soils, the authors have explored to determine both liquid and plastic limits through correlations developed between undrained strength and water content over a range of consistencies between liquid and plastic states. This would eliminate determining liquid and plastic limit separately without sacrificing the reliability of results.

Keywords

Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, Undrained Shear Strength, Vane Shear Test, Atterberg Limits

References

• Al-Dahlaki. H. and Al-Sharify, G. A., 2008, A proposed approach for plastic limit determination using the drop-cone penetrometer device: Journal of Engineering and Development, 12(1), 107–117.
• Ameratunga, J., Sivakugan, N. and Das, B. M., 2016, Correlations of soil and rock properties in geotechnical engineering: Springer India, 228 p.
• American Society of Testing Materials, 2000, ASTM D4648-00. Standard test method for laboratory vane shear test for saturated fine-grained soil: West Conshocken, PA, USA.
• American Society for Testing Materials, 2005. Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils: ASTM D4318-05, West Conshohocken, PA.
• Azzouz, A. S., Krizek, R. J. and Corotis, R. B., 1976, Regression analysis of soil compressibility: Soils and Foundations, 16(2), 19-29.
• Belviso, R., Ciampoli, S., Cotecchia, V. and Federico, A., 1985, Use of the cone penetrometer to determine consistency limits: Ground Engineering, 18(5), 21–22.
• Bjerrum, L., 1973, Problems of soil mechanics and construction on soft clays and structurally unstable soils (collapsible, expansive and others). In: Proc. 8th Int’l Conf. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Moscow, 111-159.
• British Standards Institution, 1990, British standard methods of test for soils for engineering purposes, BS 1377: Milton Keynes, British Standards Institution.
• Campbell, D. J., 1976, Plastic limit determination using a drop cone penetrometer: Soil Science, 27(3), 295–300.
• Campbell, D. J., 1983, Discussion. Geotechnique, 33(1), 78–79.
• Campbell, D. J., Stafford, J. V. and Blackwell, P. S., 1980, The plastic limit as determined by the drop cone test in relation to the mechanical behavior of soil: J. Soil Science, 31, 11-24.
• DATAFIT, 2008. Datafit Version 9.0.59, Oakdale Engineering, RC 101, 23 Tomey Road, Oakdale, PA, 15071 USA. Feng, T. W., 2000, Fall-cone penetration and water content relationships of clays: Geotechnique, 50(2), 181-187.
• Feng, T. W., 2001, A linear log d -log w model for the determination of consistency limits of soils: Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 38(6), 1335-1342.
• Feng, T. W., 2004a, Using a small ring and a fall-cone to determine the plastic limit: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 130(6), 630-635.
• Feng, T. W., 2004b, Determining the consistency limits of high plasticity clays by the BS fall cone method: Ground Engineering, 37(4), 56-57.
• Haigh,S. K., 2012, Mechanics of the Casagrande liquid limit test: Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 49, 1015-1023.
• Hansbo, S., 1957, A new approach to the determination of the shear strength of clay by fall-cone test: Proc. Royal Swedish Geotechnical Institute, 14, 7–47.
• Harison, J. A., 1988, Using the BS cone penetrometer for the determination of the plastic limit of soils: Geotechnique, 38(3), 433–438.
• Kayabali K. and Tufenkci, O. O., 2010a, Shear strength of remolded soils at consistency limits: Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 47(3), 259-266.
• Kayabali K. and Tufenkci, O. O., 2010b, Determination of plastic and liquid limits using the reverse extrusion technique: Geotechnical Testing Journal, 33(1), 14-22.
• Kayabali, K., Akturk, O., Fener, M., Dikmen, O. and Harputlugil, F. H., 2015, Revisiting the Bjerrum’s correction factor - use of the liquidity index in assessing the effect of soil plasticity on undrained shear strength: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 7(6), 716-721.
• Kayabali, K., Akturk, O., Fener, M., Ozkeser, A., Ustun, A. B., Dikmen, O., Harputlugil, F. H., and Asadi, R., 2016, Determination of Atterberg Limits Using Newly Devised Mud Press Machine: Journal of African Earth Sciences, 116, 127-133.
• Kyambadde, B. S., 2010, Determination of strength and index properties of fine-grained soils using a soil minipenetrometer: PhD thesis, University of Brighton, 292 p.
• Lee, L. T. and Freeman, R. B., 2007, An alternative test method for assessing consistency limits: Geotechnical Testing Journal, 30(4), 1–8.
• Lee, L.T. and Freeman., R. B., 2009, Dual-weight fall cone method for simultaneous liquid limit determination: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 135(1), 158–161.
• Leonards, G. A., 1976, Estimating consolidation settlements of shallow foundations on overconsolidated clays: Special Report, 163, Transportation Research Board, 13-16.
• Nagaraj, T. S. and Srinivasa Murthy, B. R., 1986, A critical reappraisal of compression index: Geotechnique, 36(1), 27-32.
• Rao, H. Y., 1987, Determination of Atterberg limits by cone penetrometer. In: Proc. 8th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, 1, 81–84.
• Rashid, A. S. A., Kassim, K. A., Katimon, A. and Noor, N. M., 2008, Determination of plastic limit of soil using modified methods: Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering, 20(2), 295–305.
• Sharma, B. and Bora, P. K., 2003, Plastic limit, liquid limit and undrained shear strength of soil - reappraisal: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 129(8), 774-777.
• Sherwood, P. T. and Ryley, M. D., 1970, An investigation of a cone penetrometer method for the determination of the liquid limit: Geotecnique, 20(2), 203-208.
• Shimobe, S., 2010, Determination of index properties and undrained shear strength of soils using the fall cone test: Proc. 7th Int’l Sym. on Lowland Technology, September 16-18, Saga, Japan, 51-59.
• Sivakumar, V., Glynn, D., Cairns, P. and Black, J. A., 2009, A new method of measuring plastic limit of fine materials: Geotechnique 59(10), 813–823.
• Sivakumar, V., O’Kelly, B. C., Henderson, L., Moorhead, C. and Chow, S. H., 2014, Measuring the plastic limit of fine soils: An experimental study- Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers, 168(GE1), 53-64.
• Skempton, A. W., 1954, Discussion – sensitivity of clays and the c/p ratio in normally consolidated clays: Proc. ASCE, Separate 478, 19-22.
• Stroud, M. A., 1974, The Standard Penetration Test in sensitive clays and soft rocks. In: Proc. European Seminar on Penertation Testing, Stockholm, 2(2), 366-375.
• Terzaghi, K. and Peck, R. B., 1967, Soil mechanics in engineering practice: John Wiley and Sons, 2nd ed., 729 p.
• Timar, A., 1974, Testing the plastic properties of cohesive and intermediate-type soils by extrusion: Acta Technica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 76(3-4), 355-370.
• Towner, G. D., 1973, An examination of the fall cone method for the determination of some strength properties of remoulded agricultural soils. Journal of Soil Science, 24(4), 470–479.
• Wasti. Y. and Bezirci, M. H., 1986, Determination of the consistency limits of soils by the fall cone test: Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 23(2), 241–246.
• Whyte, I. L., 1982, Soil plasticity and strength - a new approach using extrusion: Ground Eng., 15(1), 16–24.
• Wood, D. M. and Wroth, C. P., 1978, The use of the cone penetrometer to determine the plastic limit of soils: Ground Engineering, 11(3), 37.