Shrinkage Limit

Shrinkage limit, abbreviated as SL, is the maximum water content at which further reduction in the water content will not cause decrease in volume of soil.

 

Shrinkage limit formula

\(\large{ SL = \frac{ \left(m_1 \;-\; m_2\right)  \;-\;  \left(V_1 \;-\; V_2\right)  \; PL  }{ m_2 }   }\)

Where:

\(\large{ SL }\) = shrinkage limit

\(\large{ m_1 }\)  = inlet wet mass of soil

\(\large{ m_2 }\)  = final dry mass of soil

\(\large{ V_1 }\)  = inlet volume of soil

\(\large{ V_2 }\)  = final volume of dry soil

\(\large{ PL }\)  =  plastic limit