Site investigation · Laboratory: soil classification

Shrinkage limit & shrinkage ratio calculator

Shrinkage limit from wet and dry pat volume and mass, with shrinkage ratio and volumetric shrinkage.

Standard: ASTM D4943 (wax) · BS 1377-2

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Inputs in the worked example

The live calculator starts with these values; change any of them and every result, check and diagram updates instantly.

InputValueUnit
Wet pat mass34.6g
Oven-dry pat mass24.1g
Wet pat volume21.3cm³
Dry pat volume14.2cm³

Worked example — results

ResultValueUnit
Initial moisture content43.57%
Shrinkage limit w − (Vw − Vd)ρw/Md14.11%
Shrinkage ratio Md/(Vd ρw)1.70
Volumetric shrinkage50.00%
wet 21.3 cm³dry 14.2 cm³SL = 14.1%
Diagram for the worked example

Method, formulas and assumptions

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For preliminary design and education. Check every result against the current standard and your own engineering judgement before use.