Análisis comparativo entre los valores del límite líquido obtenidos por copa de casagrande y penetrómetro de cono para suelos finos del cantón Pastaza, provincia de Pastaza

Abstract

In this research work, 30 samples of fine soils were used, which were extracted from different sectors of the city of Puyo, in order to perform a comparative analysis among liquid limit values using the Casagrande cup method (ASTM D 4318-2010) and the Cone Penetrometer method (British standard BS 1377-2: 1990). The last equipment (not available in the laboratory) was manufactured according the specifications of the mentioned standard. In addition, Atterberg limits, plasticity index, SUCS and AASHTO classifications and specific gravity of each of the samples were determined, to correlate them each other. Once the results of the tests were obtained, the data was tabulated, analyzed and interpreted. In order to verify the hypothesis raised, statistical methods were used to determine the level of correlation of the liquid limit values obtained by both methods. Thus, the hypothesis is fulfilled by presenting a good correlation coefficient of 0.81. In this way, the use of the ‘manufactured’ cone penetrometer is considered as a feasible and alternative method for obtaining liquid limit of fine soils. The correlation equation is LL cone = 1.13 LL cup - 2.10. Besides, conversion factors of 0.9179 and 0.9199 were determined to approximately calculate LLcup knowing the value of LLcone.