Preparation of Sample for Atterberg test
Preparation of Sample for Atterberg test
(OP)
Section 10.2 of ASTM D 4318 states that the specimen should be dried at room temp. or in an oven at a temperature not exceeding 60 degrees celsius. Just curious as to the reason for the temperature limit.





RE: Preparation of Sample for Atterberg test
RE: Preparation of Sample for Atterberg test
I would generally NOT use oven drying for clayey materials...they will dry adequately with a bit of manual manipulation in a "laboratory" humidity environment. If you must use something to dry the material toward its plastic limit, use a dessicator.
In my laboratories in the past we have limited the temperature to much lower values (105F or so). So what if it takes a bit longer to dry....hopefully that's not the only thing you have to do!
RE: Preparation of Sample for Atterberg test
RE: Preparation of Sample for Atterberg test
If the sample is suspected to be organic, one portion should be "oven" dried and the other portion of the sample either wet preped or dried at a much lower temerature and dried preped. if there is significant organic content there will be a significant difference in the liquid limits of the 2 portions.
I understand that to dry a sample of clay or clayey soil at a high temerature, the "water of chrystalization" may be driven off and therefore, chemically change the soil.