Linear Shrinkage Test

Introduction:
This test is used to measure the percentage decrease in dimension of a fine fraction of a soil when
it is dried after having been molded in a wet condition approximately at its liquid limit.
The linear shrinkage is found by determining the change in length of semi-cylindrical bar sample
of soil when it is dries out, starting from its liquid limit or near the liquid limit
This test gives the percentage linear shrinkage of a soil and it can be used for soil of low
plasticity including silts, as well as for clays.
Objectives:

Objective of this test is to Determine the linear shrinkage of the fraction of a soil sample
passing a 425 m test sieve.

Apparatus:
1. Two palette knives or spatulas (Figure 1).
2. A flat, glass plate A convenient size being 10 mm thick and about 500mm square, or an
evaporating dish of approximately 150 mm diameter (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Spatulas

Figure 2. Evaporating dish

3. A mould made of brass, details illustrated in Figure 3.

All dimensions are in millimeters.

Figure 3. Mold for linear shrinkage test
4. Silicone grease or petroleum jelly.
5. A drying oven capable of maintaining temperatures of 60 0 C to 650 C and of 1050 C to
1100 C.
6. Vernier caliper (Figure 4).
7. Distilled water.

Figure 4. Vernier caliper.

Procedure:
1. A sample of 150 g from the material passing through the 425 m test sieve was measured
and it was put into a mixing bowl (evaporating dish).
2. This sample was thoroughly mixed with distilled water to make a readily workable paste.
About 15 g to 18 g distilled water (10% to 12% of soil sample) was used.
3. More distilled water was added and mixed thoroughly using the palette knives until the
mass became a smooth homogeneous paste with a moisture content at about the liquid
limit of the soil.
4. The mould was thoroughly cleaned and a thin film of silicone grease or petroleum jelly
was applied to its inner faces to prevent the soil adhering to the mould.
5. The soil/ water mixture was placed in the mould such that it was slightly proud of the
sides of the mould.
6. The mould was gently jarred to remove any air pockets in the mixture.
7.

The soil was leveled along the top of the mould with the palette knife and all soil
adhering to the rim was removed by wiping with a damp cloth.

8. The mould was place where the soil/water can air dry slowly in a position free from
draughts until the soil has shrunk away from the walls of the mould.
9. The mould was transferred into an oven to complete the drying, first at a temperature not
exceeding 650 C until shrinkage has largely ceased, and then at 105 0 C to 1100 C to
complete the drying.
10. The mould and soil was allowed to cool and the mean length of the soil bar was
measured.
11. If the specimen has become curved during drying, it must be carefully removed from the
mould and the lengths of the top and bottom surfaces to be measured.
12. The mean of these two lengths shall be taken as the length of the oven dry specimen.
Observation:

Length of the oven-dry specimen is shorter than the original length of the specimen.
(Observations are given in Annex 1)

Calculations and result:

Percentage of linear shrinkage = 100 1 LD

LO

where,
LO - Original length of the specimen (mm)
LD - Length of the oven-dry specimen (mm)
For results, please see Annex-1.
Specimen Calculation
Consider sample 1 (Group No 1)
Percentage of linear shrinkage = 100 1 123.90
140.25
= 11.66%

Discussion:
1) Briefly discuss the factors effecting the linear shrinkage.
Temperature is very important factor which effects the linear shrinkage. The test shall be carried
out in room temperature. When the mould was transferred into an oven to complete the drying,
first it must be kept at a temperature not exceeding 65 0 C until shrinkage has largely ceased, and
then at 1050 C to 1100 C to complete the drying. Usually the amount of shrinkage increases as
the temperature of exposure becomes higher. Eventually a temperature will be reached at which
the shrinkage becomes excessive. Temperature in the oven shall not be allowed to exceed 110 0 C
or otherwise the organic matter in the soil will burn and give higher shrinkage.
One of the other factors that effects the linear shrinkage is the particle size of soil used in the test.
150 g of soil particles passing a 425 m test sieve shall be used in the test. If the soil particles are
larger than the above mentioned, the actual linear shrinkage cannot be identified.
Soil type also has an effect on linear shrinkage. Linear shrinkage can be measured in soil of low
plasticity including silts, as well as in clays.
Moisture content in the soil sample is also effect the linear shrinkage. Soil sample must have
moisture content at about the liquid limit of the soil. If excessive water is used, soil particles can
be replaced by water and when the sample dries more shrinkage can be occurred.
The method requires simple apparatus. However this test depend upon the accurate measurement
of length of the soil specimen as it dries out.
2) Briefly discuss the importance of the
properties of the linear shrinkage).

linear shrinkage in highway design (the

Poor geotechnical properties of the sub grade, sub base and base course are responsible for the
failure of the road pavement. Volume changes in soil can be a very dangerous problem in
highways; for example if a soil used in a highway expands or contracts this will produce a bumpy
road. Therefore, it is important that materials that conform to specification are used in the
highway design as well as the construction of the road pavement.
Expansive clay soils undergo large amount of shrinkage due to seasonal moisture change. These
movements lead to cracking and bulking of the infrastructure built on the expansive soils.
Measuring the shrinkage characteristics of a soil can help to determine clay mineralogy and
shrink/swell potential of a geologic deposit.
In highway design, the linear shrinkage can also be used to evaluate the shrinkage potential,
crack development potential, and swell potential of earth work involving cohesive soils. An
approximate estimate of the plasticity index can be made by measuring the linear shrinkage.
Thereby identify the correct soil type which can be used in highway construction.