GG282 Geomorphology and Soils
GG282 Laboratory Exercise Two, Part One
Physical Properties of Soils and Surficial Materials
This lab is to be completed and submitted before your lab next week.
Submit to YOUR lab section’s DropBox!
Introduction
Over the two weeks of lab exercise two we will examine several physical properties of soil and sediment
samples. In the first week we will:
a) demonstrate a procedure that can be used to measure the moisture content of a soil or sediment
sample,
b) describe the property of consistency and examine how fine grained materials change with differing
moisture contents, and
c) describe how we can determine the organic content of a soil or sediment sample.
In the second portion of lab exercise two we will:
d) outline a method to describe soil colour,
e) illustrate how the pH of a soil can be measured,
f) demonstrate a method that can be used to determine the proportions of silt and clay in a sample
The following handout describes the methods that would have been used in the first portion of Lab Exercise
Two.
Measuring the Moisture Content of a Soil or Sediment Sample by the Gravimetric Method
The soil moisture content of a soil or sediment sample is most commonly expressed as a ratio, expressed as a
percentage, of the mass (weight) of water in a given sample relative to the mass (weight) of the dry soil. The
moisture content is determined by weighing the moist soil sample, drying out the sample to a standard
temperature, and then weighing the mass (weight) of the dry soil. The water mass (or weight) is the difference
between the weights of the wet and dry samples. To dry a soil sample, the oven temperature used is 105oC, and
the time period at least 24 hours. At this temperature all of the capillary water and most of the structural water
will normally be evaporated from the sample.
Materials
• Drying Oven at 105oC
• Electronic balance with a precision of ±0.001 g.
• Aluminum weigh tins or equivalent container
• Soil or sediment samples collected in the field with auger or similar tools Procedure
Figure 1: Drying Oven and Electronic Balance in 3C2, Arts Building.
1. Label each aluminum tin with a unique identifier, each tin should be clean and dry. Ideally the tins
would have been oven dried and stored in a desiccator prior to use.
2. Weigh each aluminum tin, and record this weight (“tin weight”)
3. Place a small representative sample of the soil or sample into the tin, use approximately 5 to 10 g and
record this weight as the “wet soil + tin weight”.
4. Place the sample in the oven 105oC, and dry for 24 hours.
5. Remove the sample from the oven and place in a desiccator to cool.
6. Once cooled, weigh the dry sample, and record this weight as weight of “dry soil + tin weight”.
7. As a check on your method you may choose to multiple samples and repeat the drying and weighing to
ensure consistent results in the dry weight.
For each sample you would have a “tin weight”, “wet soil + tin weight”, and “dry soil + tin weight”. You
will be given data to use.
Calculations
To express the moisture content of a soil as a percentage, we need to know the weight of soil moisture and
the weight of the dry soil.
Calculate the dry soil weight by subtracting the “tin weight” from the “dry soil + tin weight”
Calculate the moisture weight by subtracting the “dry soil + tin weight” from the “wet soil + tin weight”
Then determine the moisture content from:
Moisture Content (%) = {(moisture weight)/(dry soil weight)}*100
Soil Consistency
The term consistency is used to denote the ease with which a soil may be deformed under pressure. A glossary
of soil terms is found at: https://www.soils.org/publications/soils-glossary. For soil samples there are a variety
of terms that can be used for consistency (see for example https://www.soils.org/files/publications/soilsglossary/table-1.pdf). Soil consistency is related to cohesion and adhesion in a sample (adhesion refers to the
attraction of water molecules to the surface of a soil particle, also called adsorption).
In this lab we will examine one way to describe the consistency of fine grained soils (samples). Fine grained
soils may have a high consistency when dry (e.g. extremely hard) but have a much lower consistency when
moist.
In the early 20th century a Swedish soil scientist, Albert Atterberg, examined the physical properties of fine
grained soils focusing on consistency or consistence. Atterberg defined seven “limits of consistency” to denote
changes that occur as the moisture content of the soil is altered.
These limits may also be used to classify fine grained soils (e.g. the Unified Soil Classification System uses
Atterberg limits for fine grained soils). In current practice, only two of the Atterberg limits are commonly
measured: the Liquid and Plastic Limits. The plastic limit is the moisture content in a fine grained soil that
denotes a change in soil consistency from a semi-solid state to a plastic (flexible) state. The liquid limit is the
moisture content in a fine grained soil that denotes a change in soil consistency from a plastic state to a viscous
fluid state. A third limit called the shrinkage limit is also used occasionally, it is the moisture content that
denotes when the soil volume will not be further reduced if the moisture content is reduced. Most fine grained
soils contract (shrink) as their moisture content falls. Another parameter that is used in soil science is called the
Plasticity Index or Plasticity Number, this index is the numerical difference between the Plastic and Liquid
limits.
Atterberg limits also give us some insight into the mechanical properties of soils. Note that in the context of
Atterberg limits, the term ‘soil’ applies to any unconsolidated material (i.e. not bedrock). Some fine grained
soils may behave as a plastic material at relatively low moisture contents, when the moisture content in a fine
grained soil rises to the liquid limit the materials may deform as a mass flow.
There are many instances when we may need to measure the moisture content of a soil, the method described
below is useful for a range of circumstances.
Equipment
Drying Oven, Balance, Moisture Tin (Can), Gloves, Spatula
Procedure
For measuring the moisture content of a sample we follow the same procedure outlined above. The steps
are summarized below.
1. Take a clean dry moisture tin, label and record the number on the tin. Weigh the empty dry can on the
balance (tin weight).
2. Place a small amount of the moist soil or sediment sample in the moisture tin. Weigh the tin and moist soil
or sediment sample on the balance. Record the weight (wet soil and tin).
3. Place the moisture tin containing the moist sample into the drying oven. The temperature in the oven should
be set to 105 °C. Leave the sample in the oven for at least 24 hours.
4. Remove the moisture tin from the oven. Allow the tin to cool to room temperature (may place in a
desiccator). Once cool, weigh the moisture tin, and dry soil sample on the balance, record the weight (tin
and dry soil).
5. Empty the moisture tin and clean the tin. Repeat the procedure for a quality check.
Calculation
1. Determine the weight of the dry soil.
Weight of Dry Soil = (Weight of Tin and Dry Soil) - (Weight of Tin)
2. Determine the weight of the moisture.
Moisture Weight = (Weight of Tin and Moist Soil) - (Weight of Tin and Dry Soil)
3. Determine the moisture content.
Moisture content (%) = {(Moisture Weight)/(Weight of Dry Soil)}*100
Atterberg Limits
The Atterberg limits may be measured using a Casagrande apparatus or a Cone Penetrometer. In the lab we will
use the Casagrande Method.
Equipment
Casagrande Device (liquid limit device), Evaporating Dish, Grooving Tool with Gauge,
Moisture Tins, Balance, Glass plate, Spatula, Wash bottle with Distilled Water, Drying Oven (at 105°C)
Figure 2: Equipment needed for determination of liquid limit. The Casagrande device is the open cup. A
sample of moist soil is placed in the cup and subjected to stress (described below).
Liquid Limit Procedure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GxXqqIuCfT0)
1. Acquire the soil samples, sieve the samples through a #40 standard sieve (0.42 mm). Materials that pass
through this sieve are medium sands and below. Discard any materials that are coarser than medium
sand. The sample should be dry and disaggregated (pulverized).
2. The sample mass should be approximately 100 to 125 grams. Place the sample into a porcelain dish.
Mix the sample with a small amount of distilled water until the sample has the appearance of a smooth
uniformly coloured paste. The soil and water should be well mixed. Cover the dish.
3. Weigh three empty moisture tins with their lids, record the weight data and the tin number and their lids.
4. If necessary, adjust the Casagrande apparatus so that the height of the drop of the cup is equal to 1 cm.
This distance can be checked by using the calibration block at the end of the grooving tool. Make the
adjustment with respect to the position of the worn spot on the base of the cup. Practice turning the
crank at a rate of two drops per second.
5. Place a portion of the previously mixed soil into the cup of the Casagrande apparatus centred at the point
where the cup rests on the base (the cup can be removed from the apparatus at this point but attempt to
fill the cup in place). Gently squeeze the moist soil down to drive out air pockets. The sample should be
approximately 10 mm deep in the central portion and the sample should be patted to a horizontal surface
(see Figure 2).
6. Using the grooving tool cut a clean straight groove down the center of the sample. Hold the tool
perpendicular to the surface as the cut is made (Figure 3). During the cut, the soil sample should not
slide on the cup surface.
Figure 3: The soil sample in place with a clean cut (left), the sample closes as it is agitated (right).
7. Wipe the underside of the cup and the top surface of the base to ensure there is no soil between the cup
and base.
8. Turn the crank of the apparatus at a rate of approximately two drops per second. Count the number of
drops. As the sample is agitated, the grove will begin to close (usually in the deepest part of the
sample), when the grove has closed over a distance of 13 mm (some use 12 mm or half an inch) stop
rotating the crank (see Figure 2).
9. Record the number of drops that were required to close the grove over a distance of 13 mm. Ideally that
number will be in a range between 15 and 35 drops. If the number of drops is greater than 50 or less
than 15, remove the sample and re-mix the sample to a moisture content that will produce a number of
drops closer to 25.
10. Using the spatula, remove a portion of the sample from the area in the cup where the grove was closed.
Draw the spatula from one side of the sample to the other side. Place that sample in a pre-weighted dry
and labelled moisture tin.
11. Weigh the moist sample and the moisture tin on the balance, record the weight.
12. Repeat steps 5 through 11 at least two more times. With each successive trial mix the soil and moisture
well.
13. For each moist sample, place them in the oven at 105oC and allow to dry for at least 24 hours.
14. Recover the dry sample from the oven, weigh the moisture tin and sample on the balance, record the
weight.
15. Calculate the moisture content of the sample.
The objective is to have at least three determinations for the soil sample. The data required to determine
the liquid limit are the moisture contents of the sample and the number of blows required to close the
grove 13 mm. At the beginning of the next lab we will pool the data and discuss the calculations.
•
Plastic Limit Procedure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUjiDMBEUi4)
1. Weigh a dry empty moisture tin and lid and record the weight.
2. Take approximately 20 grams of sample and mix well with distilled water to a consistency that will
allow you to form a ribbon without sticking to your hand.
3. Form the moistened soil sample into an ellipsoidal mass. Roll the sample between your palm and a glass
plate or the table top. Produce a ribbon with a uniform diameter approximately equal to one eighth of an
inch (3.2 mm).
4. When the ribbon reaches the correct diameter, break the thread into several pieces. Knead and reform the
pieces into an ellipsoidal mass and re-roll it. Continue this alternate rolling, gathering together,
kneading and re-rolling until the thread crumbles under the pressure required for rolling and can no
longer be rolled into a 3.2 mm diameter thread.
Figure 4: Rolling a 3.2 mm thread to determine the plastic limit.
5. Gather the portions of the fractured and crumbled ribbon together and place the sample into a dry preweighed moisture tin.
6. Weigh the moisture tin and moist sample on the balance, record the weight.
7. Place the sample in the oven at 105oC for a least 24 hours.
8. Remove the moisture tin and dry sample from the oven, allow to cool to room temperature, and weigh
the tin and dry sample. Record the weight.
9. Calculate the moisture content of the sample.
Ideally, the plastic limit would be measured for a single sample at least three times (three trials). Your TA
will give you direction on the number of samples we will do.
Determination of Soil Organic Matter by Loss on Ignition (LOI)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Ilsj3QOwE
The organic content of soils have a significant impact on the fertility, moisture content, structure and
consistency of soils. Variations in organic content are used in the classification of soils. There are several
techniques that can be used to determine the organic content of a soil or sediment sample. One simple
technique involves heating the sample to a very high temperature to oxidize the organic material. Once
oxidized the organic material is combusted into carbon dioxide and lost from the sample. This technique is
called Loss on Ignition (LOI).
In this method a small sample of oven dry soil is introduced into a high temperature furnace. The soil sample
should be dried at 105oC for at least 24 hours prior to ignition in the furnace. A small clean, dry and preweighed porcelain cup is used to hold the soil sample. The temperature of the furnace used to oxidize the
organic carbon should be in the range 375oC to 550oC. There is no universal agreement in the literature about
the ideal ignition temperature. If the temperature of the furnace is set too high, mineral material in the soil will
also become oxidized and the weight loss will be excessive, which will result in an inflated estimate of the
organic content. In comparing the results from the LOI technique with other methods, good results occur when
the ignition temperature is relatively low (e.g. 375 to 390oC range) and the combustion time is long (24 hours).
The sample should be introduced into the furnace and the temperature brought up to a maximum slowly.
By recording the sample weight prior to combustion, and after the combustion, it is possible to determine the
weight of the organic material lost. The organic matter content is then expressed as a percentage, by
determining the ratio between the weight of organic material combusted and the weight of the original dry
sample.
Materials
•
•
•
•
small ceramic crucibles
high temperature oven (muffle furnace)
sub-samples of each soil (approximately 5-10 grams)
thermal gloves and long handled tongs
Figure 5: Muffle furnace, crucibles, gloves in 3C2, Arts Bulding.
Procedure
1. Prepare the soil sample by drying in oven at 105oC for 24 hours.
2. Label and weigh the crucibles. Prepare each crucible (ceramic cup) by cleaning and drying (in oven),
record the weight of clean and dry crucibles (ideally the crucible would be kept in a desiccating chamber
to prevent it from absorbing moisture from the air) after it is weighed. Record the crucible weight (this is
the ‘tare’ weight).
3. Add the oven dried soil sample to the crucible(s) (~7-10 grams). Weigh and record the weight of the
crucible plus dry sample. Make sure you record which soil sample is in each labeled crucible. This is the
pre-combustion weight (pre-ignition weight).
4. Turn on high temperature oven (muffle furnace) and set the temperature to 390 degrees. The oven should
be programed to increase its temperature slowly, about 5 oC/min.
5. Using the metal tongs carefully place the crucible(s) into the furnace and shut the door.
6. For complete combustion, the sample should be allowed to rest in the furnace for 24 hours.
7. Following combustion, turn off the oven, and open the oven door. Allow the system to cool for 20
minutes.
8. Put on the thermal gloves and use the metal tongs to carefully remove the crucibles and place them on
something that will not burn (i.e. piece of glass) DO NOT PUT HOT CRUCIBLES ON THE LAB
BENCH. Allow the samples to completely cool.
9. Once cool, weigh the crucible and combusted sample, record this weight as the crucible plus combusted
sample. This is the post combustion weight (post ignition weight).
Calculations
To determine the weight of the organic matter that were lost on ignition (LOI), subtract the post combustion
weight from the pre combustion weight. Then use the following relation to calculate the percent organic
matter content of the soil samples:
Percentage of Organic Matter = {(weight of organic matter)/(pre combustion weight)}*100
GG282 Geomorphology and Soils
GG282 Laboratory Exercise Two, Part One
Physical Properties of Soils and Surficial Materials
Moisture Content, Atterberg Limits (Consistency) and Organic Carbon Content
This lab’s exercise (GG282_Lab_2_Part_1_Data.xlsx) is to be completed and submitted before your next lab.
Submit your .xlsx file to YOUR lab section’s DropBox!
Introduction
In the lab period students reviewed the procedure for the determination of moisture content in a sediment (soil)
sample and performed tests to measure the plastic and liquid limits (Atterberg Limits). Students will also view
a procedure to measure the organic content of a soil sample.
This week in the lab we will calculate the moisture and organic contents of the samples and calculate the liquid
and plastic limits. We will also begin the process of pooling the data from our experiment. This work will
continue at the beginning of next weeks lab.
Results
Moisture Contents for Atterberg Limits
There were three samples in the room labelled Sample 1, Sample 2 and Sample 3. For each sample in each lab
section, there were three trials done for the liquid limit determination and three trials done for the plastic limit
determination.
Task 1 - Moisture Content
Each student would have a data table available that has the weights from samples. Now we would normally
pool the data from your lab section. Your table would have weighed sample ID, the dry tin weights, and the
wet sample and tin weights. You would remove the samples from the drying oven that are from your lab
section and weigh the dry samples and tins on the balance. You would have next entered those data into the
data table. Determine the dry sample weight for each sample, determine the moisture weight for each sample.
You will calculate the moisture content in percentage for each sample. Enter all of these values into the table to
complete it. Show one full set of calculations on the data sheets.
(6 marks)
Task 2 - Determination of Liquid Limit
The liquid limit is defined as the moisture content of the sample (soil) at which 25 blows (drops) on the
Casagrande apparatus will close a grove over a distance of 13 mm (one half inch). In practice it is very difficult
to prepare a sample at just the correct moisture content such that the grove will close at exactly 25 blows.
There are two common techniques used to determine the liquid limit from the type of data that are collected
using the Casagrande apparatus:
The liquid limit is determined by using an empirically derived equation (see below). This equation is based on
results from several hundred fine textured samples (Reference is L.E.J Norman (1959) The One-Point Method
of Determining the value of the Liquid Limit of a Soil, Geotechnique, Volume 9, Issue 1, pp. 1-8).
The liquid limit (LL) is calculated using the moisture content at n blows (wn). The moisture content of the soil
is expressed as a percentage of the oven dried soil weight. The liquid limit calculation will produce a number
that is also a moisture content in percent.
LL = Wn(N/25)0.121
Where
LL = Liquid Limit in percent
Wn = Water content of the sample in percent at n blows
N = number of blows to close the grove in the test
To use this expression, determine the moisture content of the sample from the liquid limit test (Wn) and use the
number of blows (N) to close the grove in the test.
For example, in a test the grove closed over the interval and a sample was taken. The moisture content of the
sample was 35%, the number of blows to close the grove was 21. From the expression above the liquid limit of
the sample is 34.3 %.
For the three samples used in your lab section determine the liquid limit for each of the three trials using the one
point method. Enter the data into the table that is attached.
Show one set of calculations.
Task 3 – Determination of Plastic Limit
The plastic limit of a soil or sediment is the moisture content at which the soil begins to behave like a plastic
material. A material that shows plastic behaviour experiences a non-reversible change in shape (strain) in
response to an applied stress. At moisture contents just below the plastic limit, fine textured soils and
sediments are semi-solid. The plastic limit is expressed as a moisture content in percent. To determine the
plastic limit, we followed the technique outlined in the previous handout.
When a soil sample at its plastic limit is weighed and then dried and re-weighed, the weight loss of the soil
sample is the moisture that was lost in drying. The moisture content at the plastic limit can be calculated as a
percentage by dividing the weight of the moisture loss, relative to the mass of the oven-dried soil.
Task 4 - Determination of the Plasticity Index
The Plasticity Index (PI) or Plasticity Number is the numerical difference between the moisture content at the
liquid and the plastic limits:
PI = % Moisture Content at Liquid Limit - % Moisture Content at Plastic Limit
Task 5 - Organic Content
There were five soil samples used to determine the organic content. One or two trials were completed for each
sample in each lab section, over the week there are eight trials for each sample. The data have been entered
into a spreadsheet that in available on the XDrive.
Download from MyLS, open the spreadsheet that has the loss on ignition data
(GG282_Lab_2_LOI_Data_2020.xlsx). Inspect the organization of the data in the spreadsheet. To calculate the
percentage of organic matter in each sample we use the following equation:
Organic Matter (%)
= (soil pre-combustion weight) - (soil post-combustion weight)
(soil pre-combustion weight)
× 100
In the spreadsheet, examine the data in the existing columns and then:
1)
2)
3)
4)
for each trial calculate the soil pre-combustion weight
for each trial calculate the organic matter weight that was lost on combustion
for each trial calculate the soil post-combustion weight
for each trial calculate the organic matter percentage
5) calculate the average organic matter percentage for each sample.
Examine the results. There are five samples with eight or nine trials for each sample. Are there are individual
trials that stand out as anomalies? To identify these trials look for values that are much different than others for
that sample.
For each sample determine the mean organic matter content as a percentage, repeat the calculations after
removing any anomalous values. Show one example of your work.
TASK 1
There is only one set of sample values to calculate. You may use a calculator, or use Excel to create your equation to solve ca
*This is a great chance to start learning simple equations using Excel!
Sample
A
A
B
B
C
C
TIN grams
3.6
4.5
3.5
4.1
4.2
2.2
TIN + SAMPLE grams
TIN + DRY SAMPLE grams DRY SOIL grams
138.4
125
136.2
124.1
141.5
134.4
158.6
151.3
122.6
119.9
134.5
131.2
cel to create your equation to solve calculate the moisture percentage.
MOISTURE grams
.=moisture weight/dry soil weight*100
MOISTURE CONTENT %
TASK 2
GG282 Lab 2 Pooled Data from Liquid Limit Tests
LL = Wn(N/25)^0.121
Type of
Test
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
Tin
Tin and
container Moist
Sample Weight Sample
ID
(g)
Wt (g)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1.370
1.360
1.360
1.374
1.357
1.372
1.381
1.383
1.471
1.452
1.481
5.970
5.680
6.823
6.630
2.384
2.374
1.999
1.922
5.260
6.610
7.050
Tin and
Dry
Dry
Moisture Sample Moisture Number
Sample Weight Weight Content of Drops
Wt (g)
(g)
(g)
%
(N)
4.680
4.470
5.470
5.160
2.112
2.111
1.838
1.781
4.300
5.290
5.610
1.290
1.210
3.310
3.110
39.0
38.9
20
16
27
18
21
17
32
23
31
24
21
38.9
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1.360
1.340
1.370
1.380
1.380
1.340
1.353
1.369
1.358
1.363
6.000
5.040
5.210
5.571
3.974
3.456
2.823
5.336
3.990
3.979
4.820
4.010
4.220
4.440
3.220
2.951
2.456
4.418
3.319
3.299
34
19
29
22
15
35
29
33
17
28
#DIV/0!
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1.370
1.370
1.390
1.370
1.370
1.390
1.378
1.462
1.470
1.463
1.360
7.340
5.890
6.560
3.690
2.640
2.960
7.621
3.890
4.820
4.898
6.210
5.820
4.870
5.320
3.093
2.335
2.595
6.141
3.285
4.032
4.040
5.000
20
27
30
15
32
27
35
15
25
21
22
#DIV/0!
Avg
LL
OnePt
Method
Sample
1
2
3
35.4
34.9
31.8
Liquid
Limit
One
Point
Result
(%)
37.9
36.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
LL average
6.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
LL average
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
LL average
0.0
TASK 3
GG282 Lab 2 Pooled Data from Plastic Limit Tests
Type of
Test
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
Tin
Tin and
container Moist
Sample Weight Sample
ID
(g)
Wt (g)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1.370
1.380
1.351
1.348
1.384
1.363
1.351
1.352
1.472
1.430
14.070
4.470
4.665
5.310
1.748
2.021
4.191
4.673
3.319
3.330
Tin and
Dry
Dry
Moisture Sample Moisture
Sample Weight Weight Content
Wt (g)
(g)
(g)
%
11.560
3.850
4.000
4.480
1.684
1.919
3.661
4.039
2.970
2.960
PL average #DIV/0!
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1.350
1.340
1.371
1.353
1.355
1.355
1.367
1.477
1.461
7.240
5.960
5.330
4.857
3.126
3.550
4.010
11.740
8.610
6.270
5.090
4.710
4.270
2.851
3.198
3.576
10.200
7.480
PL average #DIV/0!
PL
PL
PL
3
3
3
1.400
1.360
1.390
4.970
4.350
7.140
4.280
3.770
5.878
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
PL
3
3
3
3
3
3
1.390
1.374
1.461
1.475
1.357
1.366
8.240
3.720
5.380
5.910
7.820
10.650
6.685
3.245
4.539
5.022
6.400
8.700
PL average #DIV/0!
Avg
PL
Sample
1
2
3
TASK 4
Plasticity Index = % Moisture Content at Liquid Limit - % Moisture Content at Plastic Limit
Average Liquid Limit Moisture Content
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
*Calculate average on Previous Sheets!
Average Plastic Limit Moisture Content
PI
TASK 5
GG282 Lab 2
Loss on Ignition (LOI) data
Crucible
Weight
(empty)
grams
Crucible &
Soil
pre-combustion
grams
Soil
pre-combustion
weight
grams
Lab
Section
Sample
ID
Trial
L1
L2
L2
L3
L3
L4
L4
L5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
26.70
24.70
27.54
28.07
27.26
26.29
26.41
30.00
41.47
41.80
47.14
32.10
32.58
30.22
29.46
42.55
14.77
17.10
19.60
4.03
5.33
3.93
3.05
12.55
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
27.97
26.73
26.96
27.53
28.00
24.47
25.86
25.56
27.03
33.71
33.29
40.12
39.64
33.20
29.52
31.56
30.74
43.56
5.74
6.56
13.16
12.11
5.21
5.06
5.70
5.19
16.53
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
27.26
28.08
27.45
25.86
27.44
26.70
26.97
27.53
29.69
37.38
37.57
37.12
33.61
31.64
31.29
29.89
30.34
38.35
10.12
9.49
9.67
7.75
4.20
4.59
2.93
2.81
8.66
Average
L1
L1
L2
L2
L3
L3
L4
L4
L5
Average
L1
L1
L2
L2
L3
L3
L4
L4
L5
Average
L1
L1
L2
L2
L3
L3
L4
L4
L5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
24.50
28.14
25.21
25.56
26.73
24.50
27.54
24.70
18.07
41.71
41.28
34.34
34.88
32.83
31.35
32.54
29.04
30.45
17.21
13.14
9.13
9.33
6.10
6.85
5.00
4.35
12.38
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
24.47
27.45
26.29
26.41
28.14
27.95
25.21
27.10
24.94
37.50
40.34
31.96
33.20
31.49
31.42
28.64
30.40
34.75
13.04
12.89
5.68
6.79
3.35
3.47
3.43
3.30
9.81
Average
L1
L1
L2
L2
L3
L4
L4
L4
L5
Average
.=organic weight / soil pre-combustion weight *100
Crucible &
Soil
post-combustion
grams
41.26
41.54
46.87
32.05
32.52
30.16
29.41
42.36
Soil
post-combustion
weight
grams
Organic
Matter
Weight
grams
Organic
Matter
Content
%
14.56
16.84
19.33
3.98
5.26
3.87
3.00
12.36
#DIV/0!
33.55
33.11
39.89
39.42
33.11
29.43
31.39
30.59
43.05
5.58
6.38
12.93
11.89
5.11
4.96
5.53
5.03
16.02
#DIV/0!
36.80
37.01
36.65
33.19
31.37
31.02
29.65
30.14
37.88
9.54
8.93
9.20
7.33
3.93
4.32
2.69
2.61
8.19
#DIV/0!
40.91
40.67
33.92
34.44
32.53
31.02
32.26
28.82
29.80
16.41
12.53
8.71
8.88
5.80
6.52
4.72
4.12
11.73
#DIV/0!
36.45
39.34
31.47
32.61
31.21
31.11
28.35
30.09
33.93
11.99
11.89
5.18
6.20
3.07
3.16
3.14
2.99
8.99
#DIV/0!
Purchase answer to see full
attachment