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Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
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Step Out From the Old to the New

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan

Jawaharlal Nehru

IS 9259 (1979): liquid limit apparatus for soils [CED 43:

Soil and Foundation Engineering]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda

Invent a New India Using Knowledge

! > 0 B

BharthariNtiatakam

Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen

( Reaffirmed 2002 )

1s t 9259 - 1979

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
LIQUID LIMIT APPARATUS FOR SOILS
Soil Engineering and Rock Mechanics Sectional Committee, BDC 23
Representing

Chairman
PROF DINE~H MOHAN

Central
Building
Roorkee

ADDITIONALDIRECTORRESEARCH
( FE ), RDSO
DEPUTY DIRECTORRESEARCH
(FE-I ), RDSO ( Alternate )
PROF ALAM SINGH
LT-COL AVTAR SIN~H
MAJ V. K. KANITKAR ( Alternate
DR A. BANERJEE
SHRI S. GUPTA ( Alternate )
DR R. K. BHANDARI

Ministry of Railways

CHIEF ENGINEER( D & R )

Research

Institute

( CSIR ),

University ofJodhpur, Jodhpur

Engineer-in-Chief s Branch, Army Headquarters
)
Cementation Co Ltd, Calcutta
Central Building
Research
Institute
( CSIR ),
Roorkee
Government
of
Punjab,
Irrigation
Department,
Chandigarh

DIRECTOR( IPRI ) ( Altera& )

In
SHRI K. N. DADINA

personal
capacity
(P-820
.Ntw
Al&m,
Calcutta 700053 )
In personal capacity
(5 Hungnfoord Street, 12/l
Hungerford Court, Calcutta 700017 )
Indian Geotcchnical Society, New Delhi
Central Water Commission, New Delhi

SHRI A. G. DASTIDAR

DR G. S. DHILLON
DIRECTOR ( CSMRS )
Depurv DIRECTOR ( CSMRS )
( Alternate 1
Asia Foundations 8z Construction (P) Ltd, Bombay
SHRI A: H. DIVA&I
SHRI A. N. JANGLE ( Alkcmatc )
University of Roorkce, Roorkee; and Institution of
Dn GOPAL RANTAN
Engineers ( India-)
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
DR SHASXI K. GULXATI
DR G. V. Rao ( Alternate)
( Continued on page 2 )

INDIAN

STANDARDS

INST.lTUTION

This publication is protected under the Indian Capyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) sad
reproduction in whok or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.

IS : 9259 - 1979
( Continued

frompuga 1 )
Representing

Members
Public

Works Department, Government of Punjab,

Chandigarh
Central
Road
Institute
Research
(CSIR),
New Delhi
Building & Roads Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
Engineering Research Laboratories, Hydcrabad
Central Board of Irrigation St Power, New Delhi

SHRI 0. P. MALHOTRA
SHRI T. K. NATARAJAN

RESEARCH OFFICER
SHRI K. R. SAXENA
SECRETARY
DRPKJTY SECRETARY ( Alternate)
Public
SHRI M. M. D. SETH
DR B. L. DHAWAN ( Alfernafe )
SHRI M. K. SINGHAL
SHRI N. SIVAGURU
SHRI D.V.SIKKA
(Alternate)
SHRI K.S. SRINIVASAN
SHRI SUNIL BERRY (Alternate )
SUPERINTENDING
ENGINEER
(P&D)
EXECUTIVEENGINEER I/C
( SM & RD ) ( Alternate)
SHRI B. T. UNWALLA
SWRI T. M. MBNON ( Alternate
SHRI H. G. VERMA
SHRI V. S. VASUDEVAN
SIXRID. AJITHA SIMHA,
Director ( Civ Engg )

Works Department,
Pradesh, Lucknow

Government

of

Uttar

Irrigation Research Institute, Roorkcc

Roads Wing, Ministry of Shipping & Transport
National Buildings Organization,
Public

Works Department,
Nadu, Madras

New Delhi

Government

_ Concrete Association of India, Bombay

)
All India Instruments Manufacturers
Association, Bombay
( Alternate )
Director General, ISI ( Ex-o$icio Member)

of Tamil

&

Dealers

Secretory
SHRI K. M. MATHUR
Deputy Director
Soil

Testing

Instruments

( Civ Engg ). ISI

and Equipment

Subcommittee,

BDC

23 : 6

Convemr
SHRI H. C. VERMA

Associated Instruments Manufacturers

New Delhi

( I ) Pvt Lt

Members
SHKI M. D. NAIR ( Alternate to
Shri H. C. Verma )
Engineer-in-Chiefs Branch, Army Headquarters
LT-COL AVTAR SINGH
SHRI S. K. GUPTA ( Alternate )
Ministry of Railways
DEPUTY
DIRECTORRESEARCH
(SM)
(RDSO)
Geologists Syndicate Pvt Ltd, Calcutta
SERI H. K. GUHA
SHRI A. BHATTACHARYA( Alternate )
( Centinucd on page 10 )

IS : 9259 - 1979

hdian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
LIQUID LIMIT APPARATUS FOR SOILS

0.

FOREWORD

0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards Institution
on 10 July 1979, after the draft finalized by the Soil Engineering and Rock
Mechanics
Sectional
Committee
had been approved by the Civil
Engineering Division Council.
0.2 The Indian Standards Institution has already published a series of
standards on methods of testing soils. It has been recognized that reliable
and intercomparable test results can be obtained only with standard testing
The Sectional
equipment capable of giving the desired level of accuracy.
Committee has, therefore, decided to bring out a series of specifications
covering the requirements of equipment used for testing soils to encourage
its development and manufacture in the country.
0.3 The equipment covered in this standard is used for determination of
liquid limit ( mechanical method ) covered in IS : 2720 ( Part V )-1970*.
0.4 This standard covers the minimum requirements for the apparatus.
The apparatus may also be manufactured with a revolution counter to
indicate the number of falls of cup automatically and/or a motorized
driving arrangement to give approximately 120 revjmin.
0.5 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS : 2-196OT. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off
value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
*Methods of test for soils: Part V Determination
rcuGwI ).
tRules for rounding off numerical values (revised).

of liquid and plastic limits

(J%s~

as: 9259 - 1979

1. SCOPE

1.1 This standard

covers the requirements

of liquid limit device, grooving
tool and gauge block used for determination
of liquid limit of soils by
mechanical
method.
2. DIMENSIONS
2.1 The dimensions,
with tolerances,
of differnt component
parts of the
liquid limit apparatus
shall be as detailed in Fig. 1 to 3. The dimensions
against which tolerances
are not specifically mentioned shall be taken as
nominal dimensions and the tolerances
as given in IS : 210%1969*
shall
apply.
3. LIQUID

LIMIT

DEVICE

3.1 Materials
- The materials
of construction
of different
component
parts of the liquid limit device shall be as given in Table 1. All parts
made of brass shall be chrome-plated.

TABLE

MATERIALS

SL
No.

PART

(1)

(2)
i)

ii)

FOR DIFFERENT
COMPONENT
LIQUID LIMIT DEVICE

MATERI*L

SPECIAL

REQUIREMENT

(3)

Base
Base feet

-I
>
J

Vvlcaaized

Hardness : 86 to
90 IRHD (MI
Note 1 )
Resilience : 30
to 40 percent
( EMNote 2 )

rubber

CUP

iv)

Cam
housing

v)

Sliding
carriage

(5)
Grade 6,
Type R of
IS : 5192-1969.

IS

Cast brass

OF

C~NFORMINCTO

(4)

Sheet brass

iii)

PARTS

: 410-1967t

IS :292-1961$

*Specification for vulcanized natural, rubber based compounds (Jirst revision).

tspecification for rolled brass plate, sheet, strip and foil ( second revisien ).
$Specification for brass ingots and castings ( revised).
( Continued )

_*Allowable

deviations for dimensions without specified tolerances (/irst revision),

IS : 9259 - 1979

TABLE

SL
No.

PART

(1)

(2)

MATERIALS
FOR DIFFERENT
LIQUID LIMIT DEVICE

(3)

Cam

vii)

Pin

viii)

Handle

ix)

Handle
knob

COMPONENT
Contd

SPECIAL
REQUIREMENT

MATERIAL

vi)

(4)

PARTS

OF

CONPORMNOTO

(5)

Brasa

IS : 4170.1967*

hardness of the material shall be determined in accordance with

NOTE 1 -The
IS : 3400 (Part II )-1965 Methods of test for vulcanized rubbers: Part II Hardness *.
NOTE 2 -The
resilience of the material shall be determined in accordance with
Methods of test for vulcanized rubbers: Part XI
IS : 3400 ( Part XI )-1969
Determination of rebound resilience .
*Specification for brass rods for general engineering purposes.

3.2 Construction
3.2.1 The liquid limit device shall be constructed in accordance with
Fig. 1. It shall consist of a base carrying a sliding carriage assembly to
The cup shall be suspended in such a way that it
which a cup is hinged.
may be raised and dropped through a height of 10 mm with the help of a
For ease of operalead screw provided at the back of the sliding carriage.
tion, the handle to rotate the cam shall be provided for right-hand
operation.
For rubber feet made of the same material shall be fixed to
the base. The cup shall have the dimensions as detailed in Fig. 1. The
inside of the cup shall be finished smooth. The cup shall have a brass
follower block brazed to it for being suspended from the sliding carriage
with the help of a brass pin. It shall be suspended from the top bracket
with the help of the brass pin in such a way that it falls freely without havThe sliding carriage shall have two grooves to
ing much play at its hinge.
facilitate adjustment of fall of the CUP to 10 mm. The contract face of the
The sliding carriage shall be secured to
cam shall be smoothly curved.
the top of the cam housing with two knurled head screws made of brass.
The handle shall be fixed to the cam shaft. The handle knob shall have
free rotating movement.

,
_.i.
96
-y

OETAILS
.A.11dimensions

OF CUP
in millimetres.

FIG. 1 LIQUID LIMIT DEVICP.

SCREWS

Is : 9259 - 1979
4. GROOVING

TOOLS

AND

GAUGE

BLOCK

4.1 The grooving tools shall be of three types, namely,

Type C ( see Fig. 2 ) .

Type A, Type B,

4.2 Materials - The materials of construction of the three different

types of the grooving tools and of the gauge block shall be as given in
Table 2.

TABLE 2

MATERIALS

SL
No.

PART

(1)

(2)

i)

Grooving tool,

ii)

iii)

iv)

Type A

FOR GROOVING

TOOLS

AND

SPECIAL
REQUIREMENT

MATERIAL

(3)

GAUGE

CONFORMINQTO

(5)

(4)
Smooth finirh

Sheet brass
Cassrass

BLOCK

IS

: 410-1967*

IS

: 2%-19613

Grooving tool,
Type B :
a) Handle

Brass rod

do

IS :4170-1967f

b) Tool

Cast brass

do

IS : 292-1961t

do

IS : 410-19c7*

Grooving tool,
Type C :
a) Tool

Sheet brags

b) Handle

Brass wire

Gauge block

do

Cart brass

do

IS : 441Y-19673

IS : 292-1961t

*Specification
for rolled brass plate, sheet, strip and foil ( second m&ion ).
@pecification
for brass ingots and castings ( reG.rcd ).
fSpecification
for brass rods for general eogiueering purposes.
&Specification for brass wires for general engineering purposes.

4.3 Construction
4.3.1 The shapes and dimensions of the grooving tools shall be in
accordance with Fig. 2. In the case of Type B grooving tool, the handle
is of such a shape and dimensions that it serves for the gauge block.
7

IS :

9259.1979

4.32 The shape and dimensions of the gauge block shall be in

accordance with Fig. 3. The gauge block shall be finished smooth.

All dimensions
Fm.

in millimetres.

3 GAUGE BLOCK

5. MARKING
5.1 The liquid limit device, the grooving tools and the gauge block shall
be clearly marked with the following information:
a) Name of the manufacturer
b) Date of manufacture,

or his registered trade-mark or both,

and

c) Type ( where applicable ).

5.1.1
Mark.

The

apparatus

may also be marked with the ISI Certification

NOTE - The use of the IS1 Certification Mark is governed by the provisions of the
Indian Standards Institution ( Certification Marks ) Act and the Rules and Regulations
The ISI Mark on products covered by an Indian
Standard
made thereunder.
conveys the assurance that they have been produced to comply with the requirements
of that standard under a well-defined system of inspection, testing and quality control
IS1 marked
which is devised and supervised by ISI and operated by the producer.
products are also continuously
checked by IS1 for conformity to that standard as a
further safeguard.
Detailo of conditions under which a licence for the use of the IS1
anted to manufacturers
or processors, may be obtained
Certification Mark may be
from the Indian Standards Pnstitution.

IS : 9259- 1979
( Cvntivwd from page 2 )
SRRX A. K. GUPT~
Saraswati Engineering Agency, Roorkee
SHRI RAKESH GOEL ( Altrrnais )
Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ), New Delhi
DR B. R. MALHOTRA
Central Water Commission, New Delhi
SHRI R. S. MELKOTE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( CSMRS )
( Altcnratr )
University of Roorkre, Roorkee
DR P. NANDAKWARAN
Industrial Electronics Pvt Ltd, Bangalore
SHRI S. G. PRASAD
SHRXH. S. DAHELE ( Aftemak)
Central Scientific Instruments Organisation ( CSIR) ,
SHRI D. D. PURX
Chandigarh
SHRI A. N. A~ARWAL (Alternate)
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
DR T. RAMAM~RTHY
Hydraulic & Engineering Instruments Co, New Delhi
Stmx RESHAM SINGH
SHRI JATWDER SINOH ( Altmak )
Research
Institute
( CSIR ),
Cent~oolui~ding
DR V. SREEWVARULU

AMENDMENT
NO. 1

JANUARY1981

TO
IS:9259-1979

SPEClFICATION FOR LIQUID LIUIT

APPARATUS FOR SOILS

--COlTiJpJX_U~

(Puge 8, Pig. 2A, dimuia)

'1.6 20.1
fur '1 cO.l*.

(=

- Substitute

23)
Rcprograpby Unit, ISI, Icv Delhi, India