The admixture of coarser particles like sand or silt to clay causesa)d...
Yes, the correct answer is option C: "decrease in both liquid limit and plasticity index."
The addition of coarser particles like sand or silt to clay can alter the properties of the clay. In general, the addition of these coarser particles can cause a decrease in the liquid limit and plasticity index of the clay. This is because the coarser particles can fill the spaces between the finer clay particles and reduce the amount of water that can be absorbed by the clay. This can lead to a decrease in the liquid limit, which is a measure of the water content at which the clay becomes fluid or plastic. Similarly, the decrease in the water content can also lead to a decrease in the plasticity index, which is a measure of the plasticity or workability of the clay.
Option A: "decrease in liquid limit and increase in plasticity index" is incorrect.
Option B: "decrease in liquid limit and no change in plasticity index" is incorrect.
Option D: "increase in both liquid limit and plasticity index" is incorrect.
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The admixture of coarser particles like sand or silt to clay causesa)d...
The admixture of coarser particles like sand or silt to clay causes a decrease in both liquid limit and plasticity index. This can be explained as follows:
1. Definition of liquid limit and plasticity index:
- Liquid limit: The minimum water content at which a soil changes from a plastic state to a liquid state, as determined by a standard test.
- Plasticity index: The difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit of a soil.
2. Effect of coarser particles on clay:
- Coarser particles like sand or silt have larger particle sizes than clay particles.
- When these particles are mixed with clay, they fill the voids between clay particles, reducing the overall plasticity of the soil.
3. Effect on liquid limit:
- The addition of coarser particles decreases the liquid limit of the soil.
- This is because the coarser particles fill the voids between clay particles, reducing the amount of water the soil can hold before it becomes a liquid.
- Therefore, the minimum water content required for the soil to change from a plastic to a liquid state is reduced.
4. Effect on plasticity index:
- The addition of coarser particles also decreases the plasticity index of the soil.
- This is because the plasticity index is the difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit of the soil.
- As the liquid limit decreases due to the admixture of coarser particles, the plasticity index also decreases.
In conclusion, the admixture of coarser particles like sand or silt to clay causes a decrease in both liquid limit and plasticity index of the soil.
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