At Shrinkage Limit the Soil Is Fully Saturated?

Shrinkage limit can also be defined as the lowest water content at which soil is fully saturated because if we reduce the water content below this limit soil begins to dry up at the surface. The colour of the sample also begins to change. Air enters the void of the soil and soil is no longer fully saturated.

What is shrinkage limit of soil?

The shrinkage limit (SL) is defined as the water content at which the soil changes from a semi-solid to a solid state. At this moisture content the volume of the soil mass ceases to change with further drying of the material. The shrinkage limit is less frequently used than the liquid and plastic limits.

What is the degree of saturation at shrinkage limit?

A point is eventually reached where this volume change stops, even though the degree of saturation is still essentially 100%. The moisture content at which this occurs is defined as the shrinkage limit (w_SL), which, as noted above, is one of the Atterberg limits.