Determining the Shrinkage Limit of Soil - Soil Properties: Testing, Measurement, and Evaluation - page 110

The shrinkage limit and shrinkage ratio are particularly useful in ana-
lyzing soils that undergo large volume changes with changes in water
content (such as clays). The shrinkage ratio gives an indication of how
much volume change may occur as changes in water content above the
shrinkage limit take place. Large changes in soil volume are important
considerations for soils that are to be used as fill material for highways
and railroads or for soils that are to support structural foundations.
Unequal settlements resulting from such volume changes can result in
cracks in structures or unevenness in roadbeds.

SUMMARY

REFERENCE

[1] ASTM, 2007 Annual Book of ASTM Standards , West Conshohocken,

PA, 2007. Copyright, American Society for Testing and Materials,
100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. Reprinted
with permission.