Determining the Liquid Limit of Soil - Soil Properties: Testing, Measurement, and Evaluation - page 75

Figure 7-2 Hand-Operated Liquid Limit Device [5]

schematically the liquid limit device and flat grooving tool and also
give their specified dimensions. Figure 7-4 shows the dimensions of a
drop gage.

Obtain a representative portion from the total sample sufficient to pro-
vide 150 to 200 g of material passing the 425-µm (No. 40) sieve. Free
flowing samples (materials) may be reduced by the methods of quarter-
ing or splitting. Non-free flowing or cohesive materials shall be mixed
thoroughly in a pan with a spatula or scoop and a representative portion
scooped from the total mass by making one or more sweeps with a scoop
through the mixed mass.
Two procedures for preparing test specimens are provided as fol-
lows: Wet preparation procedure , as described in (1), and dry preparation
procedure , as described in (2). The procedure to be used shall be speci-
fied by the requesting authority. If no procedure is specified, use the wet
preparation procedure.

PREPARATION
OF TEST
SPECIMENS [5]