Deformation occurs prior to rupture. Cracks develop and specimen ruptures before compression to half its original thickness. Specimen can be compressed to half its original thickness without rupture. Radial cracks may appear and extend inward less than half the radius normal compression. A handful of soil material is squeezed in the hand.
None flows through the fingers after exerting full compression.
After exerting full compression, some flows through the fingers, but most remains in the palm of the hand. At failure, the specimen does not change suddenly to a fluid, the fingers do not skid, and no smearing occurs. Weakly smeary Same. At failure, the specimen changes suddenly to fluid, the fingers skid, and the soil smears. Afterward, little or no free water remains on the fingers.