EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021
(Amendment)Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing of soil - Part 12: Determination of liquid and plastic limits - Amendment 1 (ISO 17892-12:2018/Amd 1:2021)
General Information
- Abstract
This document specifies methods for the determination of the liquid and plastic limits of a soil. These comprise two of the Atterberg limits for soils.
The liquid limit is the water content at which a soil changes from the liquid to the plastic state.
This document describes the determination of the liquid limit of a specimen of natural soil, or of a specimen of soil from which material larger than about 0,4 mm has been removed. This document describes two methods: the fall cone method and the Casagrande method.
NOTE The fall cone method in this document should not be confused with that of ISO 17892‑6.
The plastic limit of a soil is the water content at which a soil ceases to be plastic when dried further.
The determination of the plastic limit is normally made in conjunction with the determination of the liquid limit. It is recognized that the results of the test are subject to the judgement of the operator, and that some variability in results will occur.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 07-Sep-2021
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-Mar-2022
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 341 - Geotechnical Investigation and Testing
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 341 - Geotechnical Investigation and Testing
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 08-Sep-2021
- Completion Date
- 08-Sep-2021
Overview
EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021 - Geotechnical investigation and testing: Laboratory testing of soil - Part 12: Determination of liquid and plastic limits (Amendment 1) is a CEN-adopted ISO method that specifies how to determine two of the Atterberg limits: the liquid limit and the plastic limit. The liquid limit is defined as the water content where soil changes from liquid to plastic behavior; the plastic limit is the water content where the soil ceases to be plastic during drying. The standard covers tests on natural soil specimens or on soil from which particles larger than about 0.4 mm have been removed.
This amendment (A1:2021) updates EN ISO 17892-12:2018 (including replacement of Figure A.2) and was endorsed by CEN members for national adoption.
Key topics and requirements
- Test scope: Specifies procedures to determine liquid and plastic limits as part of laboratory geotechnical testing.
- Specimen preparation: Applies to natural soils or samples with particles > 0.4 mm removed.
- Two accepted methods for liquid limit:
- Fall cone method (as defined in this part) - note: not the same procedure as ISO 17892‑6.
- Casagrande method.
- Plastic limit test: Normally performed in conjunction with the liquid limit; results depend on operator judgment and have inherent variability.
- Quality and reporting: The standard requires clear documentation of method used, sample conditioning, and any deviations. (See the published standard text for full procedural and reporting details.)
- Standardization context: Prepared by ISO/TC 182 in cooperation with CEN/TC 341; intended for harmonized use across CEN member states.
Applications
- Determining Atterberg limits for classification of fine-grained soils.
- Input for foundation design, earthworks, excavation stability, and underground works where soil consistency and plasticity affect performance.
- Laboratory quality control in geotechnical investigations and site characterization.
- Establishing parameters for compaction, deformation, and settlement analyses.
Who uses this standard
- Geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists
- Laboratory technicians in soil-testing and geotechnical labs
- Contractors and consultants involved in foundation, earthwork, tunnelling and excavation projects
- Regulators and specification authors referencing harmonized European/ISO test methods
Related standards
- Other parts of the ISO 17892 series (laboratory testing of soils)
- ISO 17892‑6 (another fall cone procedure - distinct from the fall cone described in this part)
Keywords: EN ISO 17892-12, liquid limit, plastic limit, Atterberg limits, Casagrande method, fall cone method, geotechnical testing, laboratory testing of soil, CEN.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 12-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 22-Apr-2020
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
CIS Institut d.o.o.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) certification body. Notified Body NB-2890 for EU Regulation 2016/425 PPE.
Kiwa BDA Testing
Building and construction product certification.
Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije
Agricultural Institute of Slovenia. Soil testing, plant health, agricultural product analysis.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021 is a amendment published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing of soil - Part 12: Determination of liquid and plastic limits - Amendment 1 (ISO 17892-12:2018/Amd 1:2021)". This standard covers: This document specifies methods for the determination of the liquid and plastic limits of a soil. These comprise two of the Atterberg limits for soils. The liquid limit is the water content at which a soil changes from the liquid to the plastic state. This document describes the determination of the liquid limit of a specimen of natural soil, or of a specimen of soil from which material larger than about 0,4 mm has been removed. This document describes two methods: the fall cone method and the Casagrande method. NOTE The fall cone method in this document should not be confused with that of ISO 17892‑6. The plastic limit of a soil is the water content at which a soil ceases to be plastic when dried further. The determination of the plastic limit is normally made in conjunction with the determination of the liquid limit. It is recognized that the results of the test are subject to the judgement of the operator, and that some variability in results will occur.
This document specifies methods for the determination of the liquid and plastic limits of a soil. These comprise two of the Atterberg limits for soils. The liquid limit is the water content at which a soil changes from the liquid to the plastic state. This document describes the determination of the liquid limit of a specimen of natural soil, or of a specimen of soil from which material larger than about 0,4 mm has been removed. This document describes two methods: the fall cone method and the Casagrande method. NOTE The fall cone method in this document should not be confused with that of ISO 17892‑6. The plastic limit of a soil is the water content at which a soil ceases to be plastic when dried further. The determination of the plastic limit is normally made in conjunction with the determination of the liquid limit. It is recognized that the results of the test are subject to the judgement of the operator, and that some variability in results will occur.
EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.080.20 - Physical properties of soils; 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 16907-7:2021, ISO 17892-12:2018/Amd 1:2021, EN ISO 17892-12:2018. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2021
Geotehnično preiskovanje in preskušanje - Laboratorijsko preskušanje zemljin -
12. del: Ugotavljanje meje židkosti in plastičnosti - Dopolnilo A1 (ISO 17892-
12:2018/Amd 1:2021)
Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing of soil - Part 12:
Determination of liquid and plastic limits - Amendment 1 (ISO 17892-12:2018/Amd
1:2021)
Geotechnische Erkundung und Untersuchung - Laborversuche an Bodenproben - Teil
12: Bestimmung der Fließ- und Ausrollgrenzen (ISO 17892-12:2018/Amd 1:2021)
Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques - Essais de laboratoire sur les sols - Partie 12:
Détermination des limites de liquidité et de plasticité - Amendement 1 (ISO 17892-
12:2018/Amd 1:2021)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021
ICS:
13.080.20 Fizikalne lastnosti tal Physical properties of soils
93.020 Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Earthworks. Excavations.
Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod Foundation construction.
zemljo Underground works
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN ISO 17892-
EUROPEAN STANDARD
12:2018/A1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2021
ICS 13.080.20; 93.020
English Version
Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing
of soil - Part 12: Determination of liquid and plastic limits -
Amendment 1 (ISO 17892-12:2018/Amd 1:2021)
Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques - Essais de Geotechnische Erkundung und Untersuchung -
laboratoire sur les sols - Partie 12: Détermination des Laborversuche an Bodenproben - Teil 12: Bestimmung
limites de liquidité et de plasticité - Amendement 1 der Fließ- und Ausrollgrenzen (ISO 17892-
(ISO 17892-12:2018/Amd 1:2021) 12:2018/Amd 1:2021)
This amendment A1 modifies the European Standard EN ISO 17892-12:2018; it was approved by CEN on 21 July 2021.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This amendment exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 17892-12:2018/A1:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC
182 "Geotechnics" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 341 “Geotechnical Investigation
and Testing” the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2022, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by March 2022.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN websites.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this E
...