One-dimensional consolidation stress and Atterberg limits of reconstituted fine-grained soils

The Atterberg limits - liquid limit (w(L)), plastic limit (w(P)) and shrinkage limit (w(S)) are of great importance for fine-grained soils. Though the procedure for their determination is empirical in nature, attempts were made in the literature to provide meaningful interpretation. In the present study, it is attempted to find out the consolidation pressure required to reach the liquid limit and plastic limit water contents when a slurry specimen is subjected to one-dimensional consolidation. Experiments were conducted on 10 soil samples of varying plasticity characteristics. The average effective consolidation pressure required to consolidate the specimen to the liquid limit and plastic limit void ratio was found to be 10 kPa and 600 kPa, respectively. Further analysis shows that the findings are in agreement with the data available in the literature. Therefore, there is scope for developing a test method to determine the Atterberg limits based on one dimensionally consolidating reconstituted soil specimens.