What is the significance of the plasticity index in soil mechanics?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the significance of the plasticity index in soil mechanics?
It indicates soil density
It measures the range of moisture content over which soil behaves plastically
It determines soil color
It assesses soil permeability
The plasticity index measures the range of moisture content over which a soil behaves plastically, indicating its workability and suitability for construction.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the significance of the plasticity index in soil mechanics?
Solution: The plasticity index measures the range of moisture content over which a soil behaves plastically, indicating its workability and suitability for construction.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that the plasticity index is a number that tells us how much water a soil can hold while still being workable.
Step 2: Learn that the plasticity index is calculated by subtracting the soil's plastic limit from its liquid limit.
Step 3: Recognize that the plastic limit is the lowest moisture content at which the soil can still be shaped without crumbling.
Step 4: Know that the liquid limit is the moisture content at which the soil changes from a plastic state to a liquid state.
Step 5: Realize that a higher plasticity index means the soil can hold more water and is more workable, which is important for construction projects.
