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Classification of Soils

The document discusses soil classification systems. It provides details on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), including its purpose, development, key properties used for classification like grain size and plasticity, symbols used, and examples of how to classify soils based on laboratory test results. The USCS groups soils based on grain size and plasticity to provide engineers guidance on soil engineering properties.

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muhammad daniyal
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29 views

Classification of Soils

The document discusses soil classification systems. It provides details on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), including its purpose, development, key properties used for classification like grain size and plasticity, symbols used, and examples of how to classify soils based on laboratory test results. The USCS groups soils based on grain size and plasticity to provide engineers guidance on soil engineering properties.

Uploaded by

muhammad daniyal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Soil Classification

Purpose
Classifying soils into groups with similar behavior, in terms of
simple indices, can provide geotechnical engineers a general
guidance about engineering properties of the soils through the
accumulated experience.

Why do we need to classify soils ? –


To describe various soil types encountered in the nature in a
systematic way and gathering soils that have distinct
physical properties in groups and units.

Extent and properties of the soil have to be determined. Cheap and


simple tests are required to give an indication of engineering
properties, e.g. stiffness, strength, for preliminary design

Classification systems are based on simple index properties such as


particle-size distribution and plasticity
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Origin of USCS:
This system was first developed by Professor A. Casagrande (1948) for
the purpose of airfield construction during World War II. Afterwards, it
was modified by Professor Casagrande, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation,
and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enable the system to be
applicable to dams, foundations, and other soils.
Definition of Grain Size
No specific
grain size-use
Atterberg limits

Gravel Sand Silt and


Boulders Cobbles Clay
Coarse Fine Coarse Medium Fine

300 mm 75 mm No.4 No.200


4.75 mm 0.075 mm
19 mm No.10 No.40
2.0 mm 0.425 mm
General Guidance
50 %
Coarse-grained soils: Fine-grained soils:
Gravel Sand Silt Clay
50% NO. 4 NO.200
4.75 mm 0.075 mm

•Grain size distribution •PL, LL LL>50


LL <50
•Cu •Plasticity chart
•Cc
Required tests: Sieve analysis

Atterberg limit
Symbols
Soil symbols: Liquid limit symbols:
G: Gravel H: High LL (LL>50)
S: Sand L: Low LL (LL<50)
Gradation symbols:
M: Silt
W: Well-graded
C: Clay P: Poorly-graded
O: Organic Well  graded soil
Pt: Peat 1  C c  3 and C u  4
(for gravels)
1  C c  3 and C u  6
Example: SW, Well-graded sand
(for sands)
SC, Clayey sand
SM, Silty sand,
2

2
6

SW

Low plasticity soil High plasticity soil

6
USCS Plasticity Chart
Low plasticity soil High plasticity soil

7
USCS Example
200 4
100
90
P200 = 20%
80
70
% Passing

60

P4=93%
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
LL = 35 PL = 20
Grain Size, mm
8
USCS Example
• P200=20%, P4=93%
• LL = 35 PL = 20 PI = 15
• Because P200<50%, Coarse Soil
• Because P4=93% > 50 Sand
• Because P200>12%, use plasticity chart

9
USCS Plasticity Chart
LL = 35, PI = 15
Soil fines
are Clay

Soil: SC
(clayey sand)

10
Borderline Cases (Dual Symbols)

For the following three conditions, a dual symbol should be used.


Coarse-grained soils with 5% - 12% fines.
About 7 % fines can change the hydraulic conductivity of
the coarse-grained media by orders of magnitude.
The first symbol indicates whether the coarse fraction is well or
poorly graded. The second symbol describe the contained
fines. For example: SP-SM, poorly graded sand with silt.
Fine-grained soils with limits within the shaded zone. (PI between
4 and 7 and LL between about 12 and 25).
It is hard to distinguish between the silty and more claylike
materials.
CL-ML: Silty clay, SC-SM: Silty, clayed sand.
Soil contain similar fines and coarse-grained fractions.
possible dual symbols GM-ML

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