What are Atterberg Limits used to describe in soil testing?

Atterberg Limits are utilized to describe the plasticity characteristics of fine-grained soils, which includes determining the moisture content at which soil changes from a solid to a plastic state (the Plastic Limit) and from a plastic to a liquid state (the Liquid Limit). This information is crucial for understanding how a soil behaves when subjected to varying moisture conditions, which influences its engineering properties.

Understanding the plasticity of the soil helps engineers and geologists in predicting how the soil will perform under loading and environmental changes, such as shrinkage and swelling, which can significantly impact construction projects. By assessing the Atterberg Limits, professionals can classify soils as cohesive or non-cohesive, aiding in the selection of appropriate materials for construction and in designing foundations, slopes, and other earth structures.