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Soil Classification

This document discusses soil classification systems. It provides examples of classifying soils using the USDA and AASHTO systems based on particle size distribution and plasticity characteristics. The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) is also explained, which categorizes soils as coarse-grained or fine-grained based on the percent passing the No. 200 sieve. USCS further classifies soils using group symbols and names based on gradation properties and liquid limit/plasticity index. Sample problems are provided at the end to classify soils using the USCS.

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Tyn Maturan
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512 views

Soil Classification

This document discusses soil classification systems. It provides examples of classifying soils using the USDA and AASHTO systems based on particle size distribution and plasticity characteristics. The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) is also explained, which categorizes soils as coarse-grained or fine-grained based on the percent passing the No. 200 sieve. USCS further classifies soils using group symbols and names based on gradation properties and liquid limit/plasticity index. Sample problems are provided at the end to classify soils using the USCS.

Uploaded by

Tyn Maturan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Soil Classification

Thursday, 9 September 2021 8:30 am

Example 1:

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Example 2:

Soil B has a particle size distribution of 20% gravel, 10% sand, 30% silt, and 40%
clay, determine its USDA textural classification.

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In general, the quality of performance of a soil as a subgrade material is inversely
proportional to the group index.

Example 1

Ninety-five percent of a soil passes through the No. 200 sieve and has a liquid
limit of 60 and plasticity index of 40. Classify the soil by the AASHTO system.

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Example 2 (Plates)
Classify the following soil by the AASHTO Classification System:
• Percentage passing No. 10 sieve = 90
• Percentage passing No. 40 sieve = 76
• Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 34
• Liquid limit = 37
• Plasticity index = 12

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2. Classification by Engineering Behavior
(cont.)
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

This system classifies soils into two broad categories:

• Coarse-grained soils that are gravelly and sandy in nature with less than 50%
passing through the No. 200 sieve.

• Fine-grained soils are with 50% or more passing through the No. 200 sieve.

• Other symbols used for the classification are:

• W—well graded

• P—poorly graded

• L—low plasticity (liquid limit less than 50)

• H—high plasticity (liquid limit more than 50)

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For proper classification according to this system, some or all of the following
information must be known:
1. Percent passing of gravel
2. Percent passing of sand
3. Percent passing of silt and clay
4. Uniformity coefficient (Cu) and the coefficient of gradation (Cc)
5. Liquid limit and plasticity index of the portion of soil passing the No. 40 sieve.

More recently, ASTM designation D-2487 created an elaborate system to assign


group names to soils. These names are summarized in Figures 5.4, 5.5, and 5.6.

In using these figures, one needs to remember that, in a given soil,

• Fine fraction = percent passing No. 200 sieve

• Coarse fraction = percent retained on No. 200 sieve

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• Gravel fraction = percent retained on No. 4 sieve

• Sand fraction = (%retained on No. 200 sieve) - (%retained on No. 4 sieve)

TAKEN FROM ASTM D2487-11

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SAMPLE PROBLEMS

Classify the soils using the Unified Soil Classification System. Give the group symbols
and the group names.

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