SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1976
STP39081S

Variation in Atterberg Limits of Soils Due to Hydration History and Specimen Preparation

Source

Drying and rewetting of soils, as presently required in preparing material for Atterberg limit tests, causes significant variation in the liquid limit. Once dried, the rehydration of fine grained soils is time-dependent, requiring typically several weeks rather than the one day period often used. More important are the irreversible effects of drying many soils. Because so many applications of the Atterberg limit values are related to engineering problems of naturally moist soil, the limits determined for nondried soil are more appropriate. It is argued that ASTM standards should reflect this and recognize the severe changes brought about by drying. An alternative method allowing testing of nondried soils should be added to the present standards.

Author Information

Sangrey, DA
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
Noonan, DK
H. Q. Golder and Associates, Mississauga, Ont., Canada
Webb, GS
H. Q. Golder and Associates, Mississauga, Ont., Canada
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Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 158–168
DOI: 10.1520/STP39081S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5588-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0790-8