Shrinkage Limit
Shrinkage limit, abbreviated as SL, a dimensionless number, is the maximum water content at which further reduction in the water content will not cause decrease in volume of soil. Other words it goes from semi-solid to a solid state.
Shrinkage limit formula |
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\(\large{ SL = \frac{ \left(m_1 \;-\; m_2\right) \;-\; \left(V_1 \;-\; V_2\right) \; PL }{ m_2 } }\) | ||
Symbol | English | Metric |
\(\large{ SL }\) = shrinkage limit | \(\large{dimensionless}\) | |
\(\large{ m_1 }\) = inlet wet mass of soil | \(\large{lbm}\) | \(\large{kg}\) |
\(\large{ m_2 }\) = final dry mass of soil | \(\large{lbm}\) | \(\large{kg}\) |
\(\large{ V_1 }\) = inlet volume of soil | \(\large{ft^3}\) | \(\large{m^3}\) |
\(\large{ V_2 }\) = final volume of dry soil | \(\large{ft^3}\) | \(\large{m^3}\) |
\(\large{ PL }\) = plastic limit | \(\large{dimensionless}\) |