Liquid Index Formula |
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\( LI \;=\; \dfrac{ PL - w_n }{ LL - PI }\) (Liquid Index) \( PL \;=\; LI \cdot LL - LI \cdot PI + w_n \) \( w_n \;=\; LI \cdot LL - LI \cdot PI - PL \) \( LL \;=\; \dfrac{ LI \cdot PI + w_n - PL }{ LI } \) \( PI \;=\; \dfrac{ w_n + LI \cdot LL - PL }{ LI }\) |
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| Symbol | English | Metric |
| \( LI \) = Liquid Index | \(dimensionless\) | \(dimensionless\) |
| \( PL \) = Plastic Limit | \(dimensionless\) | \(dimensionless\) |
| \( w_n \) = Natural Water Content (Moisture Content) | \(dimensionless\) | \(dimensionless\) |
| \( LL \) = Liquid Limit | \(dimensionless\) | \(dimensionless\) |
| \( PI \) = Plastic Index | \(dimensionless\) | \(dimensionless\) |
Liquid limit, abbreviated as LL, also called liquidity index, a dimensionless number, is a property of soils and is a fundamental parameter used in geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics. It represents the moisture content at which a soil transitions from a semi-liquid state to a plastic state, and it is defined as the water content at which a soil sample exhibits a specific behavior during a standardized test.
The test used to determine the liquid limit of a soil sample is called the Casagrande method or the cone penetration test. In this test, a soil sample is gradually mixed with water until it reaches a certain consistency. The consistency is determined by repeatedly penetrating the soil with a standard-sized cone shaped tool and measuring the number of blows required to penetrate a specific depth. When the soil reaches a certain consistency where the cone penetrates a specific distance (typically 20 mm) with a specific number of blows (usually 25 blows in 30 seconds), the moisture content at that point is recorded as the liquid limit.
The liquid limit is an essential parameter in soil classification and geotechnical analysis because it helps engineers and geologists understand the behavior of soils under various conditions, such as compaction, stability of foundations, and slope stability. It is one of the factors used to classify soils into different groups, such as clay, silt, or sand, and is also used in designing construction projects to ensure the soil's suitability for a particular application.
