According to the Soil-Cement Laboratory Handbook published by the Portland Cement Association, the procedure for determining the Liquid Limit of a soil-cement mix is the following:
"Sufficient water is added to each [soil-cement] sample and mixed to obtain a uniform moisture content slightly greater than the Plastic Limit. After a delay period of 1, 24, 48 hours or longer, the mixture is washed over a No. 40 sieve. The material passing the sieve is allowed to settle in a pan and the clear water is then siphoned off. Dry the sample at 140 deg F and reduce by a pestle so it passes a No. 40 sieve. Water is then added to perform the liquid, plastic or shrinkage limit tests."
My question is: given that the time necessary to dry the mixture after it was washed through the No. 40 sieve is around 3 hours, does this not affect the whole "delay period", especially if the test is performed for an 1 hour delay?! Since the "delay period" is performed in order to allow the cement to react with the water, should i not include in this period the time which the mixture spends inside the oven waiting to get dry?
Thanks in advance
Liquid and Plastic Limit for Soil-Cement Mixture
Re: Liquid and Plastic Limit for soil-cement mixture
