LINEAR SHRINKAGE MOULD AZA0850
The AZA0850 Precision Linear Shrinkage Mould from AZALAB is a compact and highly accurate laboratory instrument designed for determining the linear shrinkage of fine-grained cohesive soils in accordance with BS 1377-2. This test is a key component of soil classification and is especially important in identifying shrink–swell behavior of clays and expansive soils.
Linear shrinkage testing measures the reduction in length of a soil specimen upon drying, expressed as a percentage of its original length. The results provide valuable insight into soil expansiveness, volume stability, and suitability for foundations, pavements, and earthworks.
Manufactured from high-quality brass or stainless steel, the AZA0850 mould offers precise internal dimensions, excellent corrosion resistance, and a smooth polished finish for easy sample preparation and removal. Its robust construction ensures repeatable, reliable results even under high-frequency laboratory use.
Description
Principle of Test
The mould is filled with a prepared wet soil sample and struck off flush. The specimen is then dried in a controlled oven environment. After drying, the reduction in specimen length is measured and used to calculate the linear shrinkage percentage. This parameter is widely used in geotechnical engineering to assess soil behavior under moisture variation.
Standards Compliance
-
BS 1377-2 – Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes
Applications
-
Linear shrinkage testing of fine-grained soils
-
Soil classification as part of Atterberg limits evaluation
-
Foundation design in expansive and problematic soil regions
-
Assessment of shrink–swell potential of clayey soils
-
Civil, agricultural, and geotechnical engineering laboratories
-
Academic teaching and research in soil mechanics
Key Features and Benefits
-
Standards Compliant: Fully conforms to BS 1377-2 requirements
-
Precision Machined: Accurate internal dimensions ensure consistent results
-
Durable Construction: Brass or stainless steel body for long service life
-
Corrosion Resistant: Suitable for repeated wetting and drying cycles
-
Easy Sample Release: Polished internal surfaces prevent soil adhesion
-
Reusable Design: Ideal for routine and high-volume laboratory testing
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | AZA0850 |
| Standard | BS 1377-2 |
| Internal Dimensions | 140 mm (L) × 25 mm (W) × 12.5 mm (H) |
| Material | Brass / Stainless Steel |
| Finish | Machined and polished |
| Use | Laboratory soil testing |
| Sample Type | Fine-grained cohesive soils |
| Brand | AZALAB |
What’s Included
-
1 × Precision Linear Shrinkage Mould (140 × 25 × 12.5 mm)
-
Instruction guide (available on request)
Optional Accessories:
-
Digital or manual caliper for shrinkage measurement
-
Steel ruler or measurement kit
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does the Linear Shrinkage Mould measure?
A: It measures the reduction in length of a soil specimen during drying, expressed as linear shrinkage percentage.
Q2: Is it suitable for all soil types?
A: No. It is specifically designed for fine-grained cohesive soils such as clays and silts.
Q3: How accurate is the AZA0850 mould?
A: It is precision-machined to BS standard dimensions, ensuring high accuracy and repeatability.
Q4: Is the mould reusable?
A: Yes. The corrosion-resistant metal construction allows repeated use under laboratory conditions.
Q5: Can it be supplied with a measurement kit?
A: Yes. Digital calipers or manual measurement tools can be supplied optionally.
Related products
DYNAMIC CONE PENETROMETER AZA0872
The AZA0872 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) from Azalab is a robust, field-proven instrument designed for rapid in-situ evaluation of soil strength, stiffness, and compaction. It is extensively used by civil engineers, geotechnical consultants, and construction teams for pavement design, quality control, and site investigation works.
The DCP test provides a fast and economical method to assess the strength of subgrades, sub-bases, and granular base course layers, with results that can be directly correlated to California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values. This eliminates the need for time-consuming laboratory testing or undisturbed soil sampling, enabling immediate decision-making at site.
INFRARED MOISTURE METER AZA0875
The AZA0875 Infrared Moisture Meter from Azalab is a high-precision analytical instrument designed for fast, accurate moisture content determination across a wide range of materials. Utilizing advanced infrared (halogen) heating technology, the AZA0875 significantly reduces analysis time compared to conventional oven-drying methods, delivering reliable results within minutes.
This instrument is ideally suited for geotechnical laboratories, construction quality control, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, food processing, and material testing laboratories, where rapid and repeatable moisture data is essential for process control and compliance.
LIQUID LIMIT DEVICE WITH COUNTER AZA0853
The AZA0853 Liquid Limit Device with Counter from AZALAB is a precision-engineered instrument used for determining the liquid limit of soils in accordance with the Casagrande method. This test is a fundamental component of soil classification and geotechnical investigation, providing critical insight into the plasticity, compressibility, and shear strength of fine-grained soils.
Designed for reliable, repeatable, and standardized testing, the AZA0853 is widely used in geotechnical laboratories, civil engineering departments, construction quality control labs, and academic institutions.
Principle of Liquid Limit Test (Casagrande Method)
The liquid limit is defined as the water content at which soil transitions from a plastic state to a liquid state. In practice, it is determined as the moisture content at which a standard groove cut in the soil sample closes over a length of 12.5 mm under 25 blows of the liquid limit apparatus.
The AZA0853 consists of a polished brass cup mounted on an adjustable bracket. The cup is repeatedly raised and dropped from a fixed height of 1 cm onto a hard rubber base by means of a manually operated cam mechanism. A built-in mechanical counter accurately records the number of blows, ensuring compliance with testing standards and reducing operator error.
PERMEABILITY APPARATUS (FALLING HEAD PERMEABILITY) AZA0876
The AZA0876 Falling Head Permeability Apparatus from Azalab is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for the determination of permeability (hydraulic conductivity) of fine-grained soils, such as silts and clays. It is specifically intended for the falling head test method, which is the most suitable and widely accepted technique for soils with low permeability.
Accurate assessment of soil permeability is critical in geotechnical engineering applications including foundation design, earth dams, embankments, drainage systems, seepage analysis, and groundwater flow studies. The AZA0876 provides reliable, repeatable, and standard-compliant results for professional laboratories.
POCKET PENTROMETER AZA0869
- Estimation of UCS and shear strength of soft to stiff cohesive soils
- Field classification of soil consistency
- Pre-construction soil stability checks
- Trench safety and shallow foundation planning
- Geotechnical education and field research
RAPID MOISTURE METER AZA0874
The AZA0874 Rapid Moisture Meter from Azalab is a compact, reliable, and field-proven instrument designed for quick determination of moisture content in soils, aggregates, sand, and other granular or fine materials. It is especially suited for on-site quality control in civil engineering, road construction, earthwork compaction, and geotechnical investigations, where timely moisture data is critical for effective decision-making.
Based on the well-established calcium carbide gas pressure method, the AZA0874 delivers accurate results within minutes, eliminating delays associated with laboratory oven-drying methods. Its portable, self-contained design makes it ideal for use at remote and demanding job sites.
SHRINKAGE LIMIT SET AZA0849
Standards Compliance
The AZA0849 Shrinkage Limit Set conforms to major national and international testing standards, ensuring reliable and universally accepted test results:- IS 2720 (Part VII)
- ASTM D427
- BS 1377
- AASHTO T 92
