This apparatus is used in engineering geology to perform an Atterberg Limits Test. The test assesses the mobility of wet, fine-grained sediments - usually from surface or shallow subsurface soil samples - before construction projects begin.
A moist sediment sample is placed in the lower half of a metal cup called a Casagrande cup. A tool is used to remove some of the sediments in the form of a straight groove. The cup is then lifted and dropped numerous times automatically or using a hand crank. The number of drops needed to close part of the groove is recorded. The test is performed using different sediment moisture contents.
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Info. at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atterberg_limits
