CHAPTER 3

Subgrade soil
 Outline of the chapter
 Over view of Soil Survey And Site Investigation of subgrade
soils
 Depth of investigation
 Frequency of investigation
 Essential Laboratory tests to evaluate subgrade soils
 Sieve analysis
 Atterberg limit
 Soil compaction
 California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test
 Soil Classifications for high way use
 AASHTO Classification System
 Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
 Subgrade Soils
Investigation of subgrade soils:
• Foundation material for all pavements as undisturbed in situ subgrade material or
transported and reworked embankment material.
• Construction material for pavement structures either in its natural form (sand
and gravel) or in a processed form as stabilized layer
• The results of soil investigation provide pertinent information for a decision on:
 The need for subgrade or embankment foundation treatment;
 Investigation of slope stability in cuts and embankments;
 Location and design of ditches and culverts.
 Selection and design of the roadway pavement.
 Location and evaluation of suitable borrow and construction materials; and
 Design of foundations for bridges and other structures.

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 Investigation of subgrade soils (Cont’d)

• Before planning for field investigation, preliminary

information can be obtained from the following sources:
• Geological and agricultural soil maps
• Aerial photographs
• Satellite images
• Area reconnaissance

4
Field investigations and sample collection
Test pits or trenches
For shallow depths to register soil profiles.

5
Hand augers
For shallow depths to obtain disturbed or mixed samples
of soils.

6
Boring test holes and sampling with drill rigs
For detailed soils investigations.

7
Geophysical methods (seismic or electrical)
Relies on the principle that the velocity of sound in soils and rocks
is different for different materials.

8
Depth of Investigations
• Plan and conduct the soil surveys is required to examines the
suitability of subgrade load bearing capacity within the
zone of the design depth

• The design depth is defined as the depth from the finished road
level to the depth that the load bearing strength of the soil no
longer has an effect on the pavement’s performance in
relation to traffic loading.

9
Depth of Investigations
According to the Tanzanian Road Design Manual (1999)

Design depth (m)

Road type General requirements Heavy traffic roads
(> 0.2 x́ 106 standard axles )
Paved trunk roads 0.8 1.2
Other roads 0.6 1.0

10
 Frequency of subgrade soil investigation
• For highway pavements, testing sites are placed at 100 m to 5
km (generally 300 m) along the centerline and additional
boreholes 30 m away from the centerline both in its left as
well as right side.
Minimum testing frequency (Tanzania Pavement Design manual, 1999)

Road type Indicator tests Strength tests

Paved trunk roads Min 4 per km Min 2 per km
Other paved roads Min 2 per km Min 1 per km
Gravel roads Min 2per km Min 1 per 2 km
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Essential tests to evaluate subgrade soils
• Particle Size Distribution Test
• Moisture Content
• Atterberg Limits
• Density-moisture relationship (Compaction)
• California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test
• Soil classification

12
 Particle Size Distribution Test
• It is to determine the distribution of particle sizes in soils and to
classify the soil.
C). Procedure
1. Take soil sample from site
2.Measure the weight of soil sample and take 500gm,1000gm,1500gm of
soil based on size of soil.
3.Arrange sieve size from smallest (0.075mm) up to largest (9.5mm)
4.Add the soil sample on the top sieve and shake by sieve shaker machine
5.After shaking for 10 minute and remove from the shaker
6.Measure the weight of retained soil in each sieve and record the result
13
 Particle Size Distribution Test
• It is to determine the distribution of particle sizes in soils and to classify the soil.

14
• Atterberg Limits & moisture content
• The main objective of this test is to determine the moisture content of the soil
for liquid limit and plastic limit.
100.00

90.00

80.00

MOISTURE CONTENT (%)

70.00

60.00

50.00

40.00

10 NO. OF BLOWS 100

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Density-moisture relationship (Compaction)
Soil Compaction
• Why Compaction needs?
• Increases soil’s density
• Improves its strength,
• Lowers its permeability, and
• Reduces future settlement
• The dry density that can be obtained by compaction varies with
• The moisture content.
• Type of soil being compacted, and
• The compaction effort.

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Density-moisture relationship
(Compaction)
Soil Compaction
Effect of moisture
content:
 wet
d 
1 w

d at 100% saturation
 w Gs
d 
1  wG s

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Density-moisture relationship (Compaction)

Soil Compaction
Effect of type of soil:
a – Gravel-sand mixture
b – Well graded sand
c – Uniform sand
d – Mixed soil
e – Heavy clay

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 Density-moisture relationship (Compaction)
Soil Compaction
Effect of compaction effort
Standard AASHTO:
• Compacted with 25 blows of a 2.5 kg (5.5
1b) Rammer falling 30 cm (12 in) in three
layers
Modified AASHTO:
• 4.5 kg (10 lb) Rammer falling 45 cm (18 in)
on each of five layers of 56 blow in the
large size mold
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 Compaction procedure

14-Apr-15 1
8
 California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test
• Developed by the California Division of Highways,
• CBR test is the most common strength test conducted on soils and
other unbound pavement materials to understand
• Shear (friction, cohesion)
• Bearing capacity
• Laboratory specimens compacted in a standard CBR mold at the
OMC are tested to give a relative strength of the material for a
pavement structure with respect to crushed rock, which is considered an
excellent base coarse material.
• A load is applied by cylindrical metal plunger of 56 mm diameter to
penetrate the specimen at a rate of one mm per minute and readings of
the applied load are taken at intervals of penetration of 0.25 mm up to a
total penetration of not more than 7.5 mm.

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CBR Test cont.….

CBR Curve
CBR Test cont.….
• The CBR value is reported as a percentage of the load that causes a penetration
of2.54 mm is read off from the curve and divided by the standard load 6.9 Mpa
required to produce the same penetration in the standard crushed stone.

CBR Unit load for 2.54 mm penetration in test specimen 100

Unit load for 2.54 mm penetration in sandard crushed roack
• Similarly, the CBR at 5.08 mm penetration is obtained by dividing the load causing a
penetration of 5.08 mm with the load of 10.34 MPa required to produce the same
penetration in standard crushed stone.
• The two values are then compared and if:
 The CBR of 2.54 mm > 5.08mm used for design purposes. (accept the 2.54mm CBR)
 The CBR of 5.08 mm > 2.54 mm (Entirely repeat the test on a fresh specimen).
 If the new percentage valve at 5.08 mm penetration is still greater, then this is taken as the CBR
value.

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CBR Test cont.….

• Depending upon the prevailing climatic

conditions of the site, CBR specimens are
immersed in water for four days before the
test to obtain a saturation condition similar to
what may occur in the field.
• During this period, the sample is loaded
with a surcharge load that simulates the
estimates weight of pavement layers over the
material tested. Any swell due to soaking is
also measured.
Soaking Samples
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CBR Testing Machine
• Strength measure for unbound materials
• Piston advanced at 1.3 mm / min. rate
50 mm diameter • Measure load at 2.5 mm penetration (P2.5)
piston • CBR = 100(P2.5 / Pstd)

180 Saturated
mm Specimen

150 mm 25
Example
A laboratory CBR test on a sample of subgrade yielded the data shown
in Table below. Determine the CBR
Solution

CBR curve for subgrade

sample tested

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Example
cont’d
At 2.54 mm penetration Soil = 9.2kN
Compare the two values:
Aggregate with 100% CBR= 13.02kN
Therefore Final CBR2.54 = 70.7 % » 65.3% = CBR5.08
CBR = (9.2 * 100)/13.02 = 70.7% Note: CBR values are rounded off as
follows:

At 5.08 mm penetration Soil = 13.0kN CBR ≤ 30% – round to nearest 1%

Aggregate with 100% CBR = 19.9 kN CBR > 30% – round to nearest 5%
Therefore Therefore
CBR = (13.0 * 100)/19.9 = 65.3%
CBR design = 70%

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CBR test cont.….

General Soil Type USC Soil Type CBR Range

GW 40 - 80
GP 30 - 60
Typical CBR GM 20 - 60
Ranges Coarse-grained GC 20 - 40
soils SW 20 - 40
SP 10 - 40
SM 10 - 40
SC 5 - 20
ML 15 or less
CL LL < 50% 15 or less
OL 5 or less
Fine-grained soils
MH 10 or less
CH LL > 50% 15 or28less
OH 5 or less
Design Subgrade CBR cont.….
• The strength of subgrade soils is dependent on:
• The type of soil
• Density and
• Moisture content
• Identification of sections supposed to have homogenous subgrade conditions is
carried out by desk studies on the basis of geology, pedology, drainage
conditions and topography, and considering soil categories which have fairly
consistent geotechnical characteritics (e.g. grading, plasticity, CBR).
• Usually, the number of soil categories and the number of uniform subgrade areas
will not exceed 4 or 5 for a given road project.
• The design subgrade CBR for homogenous section is usually taken as the 90 %-
ile value of the CBR test results
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 Soil classifications
• Soils are variable engineering materials
• As a means of obtaining general behavior, soils are systematically categorized on
the basis of some common characteristics obtained from visual description,
during soil boring, and laboratory tests.
• The most commonly used classification systems for highway purposes are:
• AASHTO Classification System and
• Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).
• These classification systems only help engineers to predict how the soil will
behave if used as a subgrade or sub-base material, however, the
information obtained should not be regarded as a substitute for the detailed
investigation of the soil properties.

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 AASHTO Classification System
• Described the relative quality of soils for use in embankments,
subgrades, sub-bases, and bases.
• Required parameters for classification
 Grain size analysis
 Liquid Limit
 Plasticity Index
• Soils are categorized into seven groups, A-1 through A-7, with
several sub-groups
• Soils are evaluated within each group by using an empirical formula
to determine the group index (GI) of the soils.
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 AASHTO Classification System
GI = (F - 35)[0.2 + 0.005(LL - 40)] + 0.01(F - 15)(PI - 10)
where, GI = Group index (determined to the nearest whole number. )
F = % of soil particles passing 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve
LL = liquid limit expressed in whole number, and
PI = plasticity index expressed in whole number.
• When a negative value is obtained for GI, it should be record as zero.
• Also, in determining the GI for A-2-6 and A-2-7 subgroups, the LL part is
not used, that is, only the second term of the equation is used.
• Classifying soils under the AASHTO system is finding the correct group for the
particle size distribution and Atterberg limits of the soil from the
classification table.
• The lower the index, the better the material
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AASHTO Classification S ystem
Granular soils fall into classes A-1 to A-3.
• A-1 soils consist of well-graded granular materials,
• A-2 soils contain significant amounts of silts and clays,
and
• A-3 soils are clean but poorly graded sands.

Fine soils fall into classes A-4 to A-7.

• A-4 soils cover non-plastic or moderately plastic soils,
• A-5 contains similar material to Group A-4 but high LL.
• A-6 soils are typical plastic clays exhibiting high volume
change between wet and dry states.
• Group A-7 covers plastic clays, having high values of LL and
PI and show high volume change.

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14-Apr-15 44
 Subgrade Soils
• In general, according to the AASHTO system of classification, the
suitability of a soil deposit for use in highway construction can be
summarized as follows:
 A-1-a, A-1-b, A-2-4, A-2-5, and A-3 can be used satisfactorily as sub-grade or
sub-base material if properly drained. Such soils must be properly
compacted and covered with an adequate thickness of pavement for the
surface load to be carried.
 A-2-6, A-2-7, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7-5, and A-7-6 will require a layer of sub-base
material if used as sub-grade. If these are to be used as embankment materials,
special attention must be given to the design of the embankment.

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 AASHTO Classification System
• Generally, as the GI of a soil increases its value as sub-grade
material decreases.
For example
A soil with a GI of 0 (an indication of a good sub-grade material) will be
better as a sub-grade material than one with GI of 20 (an indication of a
poor sub-grade material).
GI = (F - 35)[0.2 + 0.005(LL - 40)] + 0.01(F - 15)(PI - 10)

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Example
A sample of soil was tested in the laboratory, and results of the
laboratory tests were as follows:
1. Liquid limit = 42.3%
2. Plastic Limit = 15.8%
3. The following sieve analysis data:
Classify the soil sample by the
Percentage AASHOTO classification system
Sieve Size
Passing
No. 4 100.0
No. 10 93.2
No. 40 81.0
No. 200 60.2
Solution
PI = LL – PL = 42.3% - 15.8% = 26.5%
A-7-6
LL – 30 = 12.3% (< PI = 26.5%)

No. 200 Sieve Passing = 60.2%

PI = 26.5% Liquid Limit = 42.3%

 Solution
Total group index = 5.3 + 7.5 =
12.8 The soil is A-7-6 (13)

60.2%

26.5%

7.5
5.3
42.3%
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
• Developed by Casagrande
• Used by Corps of Engineers
• Soils:
• Coarse-grained
• Fine-grained
• Highly organic soils
• Required parameters for classification
• Grain-size distribution
• Liquid Limit
• Plasticity Index
• Group Symbols:
• G: Gravel S: Sand M: Silt C: Clay O: Organic PT: Peat
• W: Well graded P: Poorly graded
E.g. SW: Well graded sand
 Coarse-grained soils

• Soils with more than 50 percent particles retained onNo. 200 sieve.
• The coarse-grained soils are subdivided into:
• Gravels (G) : Soils having more than 50 percent of their
particles larger than 4.75 mm (i.e., retained on No. 4 sieve), and
• Sands (S) : Those with more than 50 percent of their particles smaller than 4.75 mm (i.e.,
passed through No. 4 sieve).
• Based on grain size distribution and the nature of the fine particles in them, The gravels
and sands are further divided into four subgroups,

• Well graded (W) Silty (M).

• Poorly graded (P) Clayey (C).
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 Coarse-grained soils, Cont’d:
• Gravels can be described as:
 Well-graded gravel (GW)
 Poorly graded gravel (GP)
 Silty gravel (GM)
 Clayey gravels (GC)
• Sands can be described as:
 Well-graded sand (SW)
 Poorly graded sand (SP)
 Silty sand (SM)
 Clayey sand (SC).

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 Coarse-grained soils, Cont’d :
• A gravel or sandy soil is described as well graded or poorly graded,
depending on the values of two shape parameters known as coefficient
of uniformity, Cu, and coefficient of curvature, Cc given as:
2
D60 = Grain diameter at 60% passing
D60 (D30 )
Cu  Cc  D30 = Grain diameter at 30% passing
D10 D10  D60 D10 = Grain diameter at 10% passing
• Accordingly, gravels are described as well graded if Cu is above 4, and Cc is
between 1 and 3.
• Sands are also described as well graded if Cu is above 6, and Cc is between 1
and 3.

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 Coarse-grained soils, Cont’d :

• Moreover, coarse-grained soils with more than 12 percent fines (i.e.,

passes No. 200 sieve) are classified as silty (M) or clayey (C) depending
on their LL plots.
• Those soils with plots below the “A” line or with a PI < 4 are silty gravel
(GM) or silty sand (SM)
• Those with plots above the "A” line with a PI greater than 7 are classified
as clayey gravels (GC) or clayey sands (SC).

44
USCS: Coarse Grained Soils

45
 Fine-grained soils:
• Soils with less than 50 percent particles retained on the No. 200 sieve.
• The fine-grained soils are subdivided into clays (C) or silt (M) based on a plasticity
chart plotted PI versus LL of the soil.
• Soils that fall below the “A” line are silty soils, whereas those with plots above the
"A” line are clayey soils. Organic clays are an exception to this general rule since they
plot below the "A" line.
• The organic, silty, and clayey soils are further divided into two groups, one having a
relatively low LL (L) and the other having a relatively high LL (H). The dividing line
between high LL soils and low LL soils is arbitrarily set at 50 percent.
• Fine-grained soils are, thus, further classified as either silt with low plasticity (ML),
silt with high plasticity (MH), clays with high plasticity (CH), clays with low plasticity
(CL), or organic with high plasticity (OH).

46
USCS: Fine Grained Soils

47
Example
• A sample of soil was tested in the laboratory with the following results:
• Liquid limit = 30%
• Plastic limit = 12%
• Sieve analysis data:
Sieve Size Percentage Passing
3/8 in. 100.0
No. 4 76.5
No. 10 60.0
No. 40 39.7
No. 200 15.2
• Classify the soil by the Unified Soil Classification System
Solution
Step 1: Retained on the No.200 sieve
100 – 15.2 = 84.8% (>50%)
“Coarse grained soil” Sieve Size Percentage
Step 2: Retained on the No. 4 sieve Passing
100 – 76.5 = 23.5%
3/8 in. 100.0
Fraction retained on the No. 4 sieve
23.5 / 84.8 = 27.7% No. 4 76.5
Fraction passed the No.4 sieve No. 10 60.0
100 – 27.7 = 72.3% (>50%)
“Sand” No. 40 39.7
Step 3: Passing the No. 200 No. 200 15.2
15.2% (>12%)
“Sands with fines: More than 12% fines.”
Solution
Step 4: Check Plasticity chart
• Liquid Limit = 30%
• Plasticity Index = 18% (= 30% – 12%)
• Sample is located above the “A” line
• Fines are classified as CL.
Step 5: Check the Soil Classification Chart
• Soil is classified “SC”, Clayey Sand
Step 6: Check item G, H, I of the table
• G: If fines classify as CL-ML? No.
• H: If fines are organic? No.
• I: If soil contains >15% gravel? Yes.
Answer: “SC with gravel”
Solution
Solution
Example
Sieve Size Percentage
• Given Passing
A sample of soil was tested in the 1 in. 100
laboratory with the following results:
¾ in. 85
• Liquid limit = NP (nonplastic)
• Plastic limit = NP (nonplastic) ½ in. 70
• Sieve analysis data: 3/8 in. 60
• Required No. 4 48
Classify the soil by the USCS No. 10 30
No. 40 16
No. 100 10
No. 200 2
Solution

Step 1
• Retained on the No. 200 sieve = 100 – 2 = 98% (>50%)
• “Coarse-grained soils”
Step 2
• Retained on the No. 4 sieve = 100 – 48 = 52%
• Fraction retained on the No. 4 sieve = 52 / 98 = 53.1% (>50%)
• “Gravels”
Step 3
• Passing the No. 200 sieve = 2% (<5%)
• “Clean gravels: Less than 5% fines.”
Solution

Step 4
D60 = 9.5 mm
D30 = 2.0 mm
D10 = 0.15 mm
Coefficients of uniformity (Cu)
Cu = D60 / D10 = 9.5 mm / 0.150 mm = 63.3
Coefficient of curvature (Cc)
Cc = (D30)2 / (D60D10)
= (2.0mm)2 / [(9.5mm)(0.15mm)] = 2.8
Cu > 4 and 1<Cc<3
“GW” – Well-graded gravel
Solution
Solution

9.5 mm 2.0 mm 0.15 mm

 THANK YOU!
What do you get from
this chapter?

14-Apr-15 72