ASTM_D_4318_-_17e1.pdf

Designation:D4318171Standard Test Methods forLiquid Limit,Plastic Limit,and Plasticity Index of Soils1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4318;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1NOTEEditorially updated units of measurement statement in April 2018.1.Scope*1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the liquidlimit,plastic limit,and the plasticity index of soils as definedin Section 3 on Terminology.1.2 Two procedures for preparing test specimens are pro-vided as follows:Specimen Preparation Procedure 1(WetPreparation),as described in 11.1 and Specimen PreparationProcedure 2(Dry Preparation),as described in 11.2.Thespecimen preparation procedure to be used shall be specifiedby the requesting authority.If no specimen preparation proce-dure is specified,use the wet preparation procedure.(SeeSection 6,Interferences.)1.3 Two methods for determining the liquid limit are pro-vided as follows:Liquid Limit Method A(Multipoint Method),as described in Sections 12 and 13,and Liquid Limit Method B(One-Point Method),as described in Sections 14 and 15.Themethod to be used shall be specified by the requestingauthority.If no method is specified,use Method A.(SeeSection 6,Interferences.)1.4 The plastic limit test,Method for Plastic Limit,isperformed on material prepared for the liquid limit test.Whendetermining the plastic limit,two procedures for rolling por-tions of the test specimen are provided as follows:Plastic LimitRolling Procedure 1(Hand Rolling),and Plastic Limit RollingProcedure 2(Using the Rolling Device).1.5 The liquid limit and plastic limit of soils(along with theshrinkage limit)are often collectively referred to as theAtterberg limits.These limits distinguished the boundaries ofthe several consistency states of plastic soils.1.6 The plasticity index,Method for Plasticity Index,iscalculated using results from liquid limit and plastic limittesting.1.7 The methods described herein are performed only onthat portion of a soil that passes the 425-m(No.40)sieve.Therefore,the relative contribution of this portion of the soil tothe properties of the sample as a whole must be consideredwhen using these methods to evaluate the properties of a soil.1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.The values given in parentheses after SI units areprovided for information only and are not considered standard.1.8.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitationalsystem of units.In this system,the pound(lbf)represents a unitof force(weight),while the unit for mass is slugs.Theconverted slug unit is not given,unless dynamic(F=ma)calculations are involved.1.8.2 It is common practice in the engineering/constructionprofession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unitof mass(lbm)and of force(lbf).This implicitly combines twoseparate systems of units;that is,the absolute system and thegravitational system.It is scientifically undesirable to combinethe use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a singlestandard.As stated,this standard includes the gravitationalsystem of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slugunit for mass.However,the use of balances or scales recordingpounds of mass(lbm)or recording density in lbm/ft3shall notbe regarded as nonconformance with this standard.1.8.3 The“alternative”sieve size designations listed inSpecification E11 for the 425-m and 2.00-mm sieves aregiven in parentheses following the“standard”designations,that is,425-m(No.40)and 2.00-mm(No.10).1.8.4 The standard units for the resilience tester covered inAnnex A1 are inch-pound,not SI.The SI values given in Fig.A1.1 are for information only.1.9 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.9.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculatedvalue(s)with specified limits,the measured or calculatedvalue(s)shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significantdigits in the specified limits.1.9.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated,in this standard are regarded as the1These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soiland Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils.Current edition approved June 1,2017.Published July 2017.Originally approvedin 1983.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D4318 101.DOI:10.1520/D4318-17E01.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was