DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Geotechnical Engineering 1 Laboratory Manual

EXPERIMENT 11: CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS
AASHTO T 11
ASTM D 2487 - 11
IS 1498

11.1. Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Experiment

PO. b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
PO. d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
PO. e. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
PO. k. ability to use techniques and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

11.2. Experiment’s Intended Learning Outcomes (EILOs)

At the end of this experiment the student shall be able to:
a. identify the soil classification with the 2 systems/methods introduced
b. practice the techniques and methods learned on previous experiments in relation to this activity
c. interpret the soil type and characterizations by its classification

11.3. Objective of the Experiment

The aim of this experiment is to introduce the student to several methods of soil classification.

11.4. Principle of the Experiment

This practice describes a system for classifying mineral and organo-mineral soils for engineering purposes. This
classifies soils from any geographic location into categories representing the results of prescribed laboratory
tests to determine the particle-size characteristics, the liquid limit, and the plasticity index. The assigning of a
group name and symbol(s) along with the descriptive information can be used to describe a soil to aid in the
evaluation of its significant properties for engineering use.

The various groupings of this classification system have been devised to correlate in a general way with the
engineering behavior of soils. This standard provides a useful first step in any field or laboratory.

11.5. Materials and Equipment

As required

11.6. Procedures

1. Each group will classify the soil according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and
AASHTO Classification System.

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2. Give some thought to the information required by a particular classifications systems so that the
amount of soil testing is kept to a minimum.
3. Be sure to obtain reasonably representative samples from the soil containers so that you can check
your work if necessary.
4. Use the Washing Method to find the percentage passing the No. 200 sieve; otherwise you may
misclassify the soil. It is not unusual to dry sieve a soil with considerable care and find only 40 to 45
percent passing the No. 20 sieve while with washing well over 50 percent passes.

In order to ensure the aggregate performs as intended for the specific use, a variety of tests must be
performed on the aggregate. One such test is determining materials finer than No. 200 (75 µm) sieve in
mineral aggregates by Washing Method. Fine materials such as clay particles or water soluble particles
removed by washing, can cling to larger particles and do not dislodge readily. This test washes the fine
particles through the No. 200 (75 µm) sieve to give an accurate determination of fine materials in the sample.

The determination of minus No. 200 (75 µm) material is used to compare material performance with
gradation specifications, and indirectly to gauge such properties as plasticity, permeability, and soils
classifications.

Summary of Test

A known amount of material is placed in a wash container and covered with water, agitated to suspend the
fine size particles in the water, and then poured through a No. 200 sieve (see Figure 11.6.1). After thorough
rinsing, the portion remaining on the No. 200 sieve is transferred to a pan, dried and weighed. The percentage
passing through the No. 200 sieve is then calculated.

Figure 11.6.1. Fines suspended in the water are washed over a

No. 8 (2.36 mm) and a No. 200 (75 µm) sieves

5. After size distribution has been computed, be sure to provide a visual description for each soil along
with the classification system symbols. Submit this experiment together with any additional data sheets
used for sieve analysis, grain – size distribution curves, Atterberg limits, etc.

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10.7. Experiment Report

Course: BSCE Experiment No.: 11

Group Name: Llivy’s Angels Section:
Group Members: Agdeppa, Mc Eryl Date Performed: February 26, 2021
Buen, Shealtiel Date Submitted: March 10, 2021
Castro, Miguel Ira Instructor: Engr. Mark Kevin Enriquez
Corpuz, Paul Adrian Engr. Manuel Trinidad
Medina, Ma. Bernadette
Simon, Ivan Aaron
Sumera, Charles Raven

11.7.1. Data and Results

Table 11.7.1.1. Sieve Analysis (Washed, Dry)

Before oven-drying:
Mass of container = 273.8 g
Mass of container + dry soil = 1129.3 g
Mass of dry soil = 855.5 g

After oven-drying
Mass of container + dry soil = 1030.7 g
Mass of dry soil = 756.9 g

Sieve Diameter Mass of Mass of Mass of Cumulativ Finer

No. Sieve Sieve + Retained e Mass
Retained Soil Retained
Soil
(mm) (grams) (grams) (grams) (grams) (%)
4 4.75 476 481.2 5.2 5.2 99.39
10 2 436.1 603 166.9 172.1 79.69
40 0.425 342.4 590 247.6 419.7 50.46
100 0.15 3113 498.4 187.1 606.8 28.38
200 0.075 303.4 393.6 90.2 697 17.73
Pan 0 357.6 409.2 51.6 847.2 0

Coefficient of Uniformity, Cu = 15.537

Coefficient of Gradation, Cc = 0.820
Liquid Limit, LL = 39.426975
Plastic Limit, PL = 30.376780
Plasticity Index, PI = 9.050195
AASHTO Classification = A-2-4(0)
USCS Classification = SM

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11.7.2. Computations

log 0.15−log 0.075 log 𝐷10 − log 0.075

28.38 −17.73
= 10 −17.73

𝐷10 = 0.0453489453
𝐷10 ≈ 0.0453

log 0.425−log 0.15 log 𝐷30 − log 0.15

50.46−28.38
= 30 −28.38

𝐷30 = 0.1619109208
𝐷30 ≈ 0.1619

log 2−log 0.425 log 𝐷60 − log 0.425

79.69 − 50.46
= 60 − 50.46

𝐷60 = 0.7045689657
𝐷60 ≈ 0.7046

𝐷60 0.7046
𝐶𝑢 = 𝐷10
= 0.0453
≈ 15.537

(𝐷30 )2 (0.1619)2
𝐶𝑐 = = ≈ 0.820
𝐷60 × 𝐷10 (0.7046)(0.0453)

𝐺𝐼 = 0

AASHTO Classification = A-2-4(0)

𝑁𝑜. 200 = 17.73% 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑜. 4 = 99.39%

17.73% (𝑁𝑜. 200) < 50% ∴ 𝐶𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒 − 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙
99.39% (𝑁𝑜. 4) > 50% ∴ 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑦 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙
17.73% (𝑁𝑜. 200) 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 12 − 50% ∴ 𝐸𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑀 𝑜𝑟 𝑆𝐶
9.050195 (𝑃𝐼) < 0.73(39.426975 − 20)
9.050195 (𝑃𝐼) < 14.18169175 – 𝐴𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 “𝐴” 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 ∴ 𝑆𝑀
USCS Classification = SM

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11.8. References

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Offcials. AASHTO T 11. In Materials FIiner than No. 200 (75 µm) Sieve in
Mineral Aggregates by Washing. Washington D.C., United States of America: American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Offcials.

American Standards of Testing and Materials. ASTM D2487 - 11. In Standard Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System). West Conshohocken, P.A.: Standard Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System).

Bureau of Research and Standards. (2014). Laboratory Testing Procedures Manual, Soils and Aggregates (Vols. I - Soil and
Aggregates). Philippines: Department of Public Works and Highways.

Manak Bhavan, B. S. Classification and Identification of Soils for General Engineering Purposes. In B. Soil Engineering Sectional
Committe (Ed.), Indian Standards: Methods of Test for Soils (First Revision). New Delhi: Bureau of Indian Standards.

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