Scribd
Upload
50 views

Soil Classification Standard Systems

This document discusses different soil classification standard systems including the USCS, AASHTO, and field identification methods. The USCS was developed by Casagrande in 1948 for airfield construction and is the most widely used system. The AASHTO system was developed in 1929 for road projects and was last revised in 1978. Field identification involves visual inspection and manual classification based on factors like plasticity, dry strength, and particle size. The document also lists common soil testing methods that provide data on classification, strength, compaction, chemical properties, and consolidation to aid engineering design.

Uploaded by

Saad SA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
50 views

Soil Classification Standard Systems

This document discusses different soil classification standard systems including the USCS, AASHTO, and field identification methods. The USCS was developed by Casagrande in 1948 for airfield construction and is the most widely used system. The AASHTO system was developed in 1929 for road projects and was last revised in 1978. Field identification involves visual inspection and manual classification based on factors like plasticity, dry strength, and particle size. The document also lists common soil testing methods that provide data on classification, strength, compaction, chemical properties, and consolidation to aid engineering design.

Uploaded by

Saad SA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

Soil Classification Standard

Systems

By
Mohammad T. Alsayyed
Association of Engineers
Soil Classification Standard Systems

a.) USCS - unified soil classification system.


 used by U.S. Army Corps of Engs, US Bureau of Recl.,
and most consulting firms, (most popular all over the
world)
 it is almost identical to ASTM-2487.
 developed by A. Casagrande 1948 for airfield construction.
 modified in 1952 by Casagrande with US Army Corps of
Eng. Bureau of Recl.
Soil Classification Standard Systems

Basic Principles
 1) The behaviour of fine grained soil is controlled by the
plasticity.
 2) Behaviour of coarse grained soil is controlled by the
grain size distribution.
Soil Classification Standard Systems

b.) AASHTO Classification System


 1929 by Hogentogler and Terzaghi for local and
secondary road projects
 AASHTO (1978) Last major revision.
 Primary use : to determine the relative quality of a soil for
embankments, subgrades, subbases, bases
Soil Classification Standard Systems

ers >3"
3” > Gravel >#10
#10 > Coarse Sand >#40
#40 >Fine Sand >#200
#200 >Silt and clay
A-l thru A-4 Coarse Grained
A-5 thru A-7 Fine Grained
A-8 Peat or Muck
A-3 (GI) from eqn. or
nomograph
Soil Classification Standard Systems

c) Field Identification
visual - Manual Method - Ref. ASTM 2488
clay: - passes the #200 sieve
- can not be seen with the unaided eye.
- exhibits considerable dry strength
-PI > 4
- Plots above or on the A-line on the plasticity
chart.

Silts - pass the #200 sieve


- Little or no plasticity
- Little or no dry strength
- Plot below the A-line
SOIL TESTING

SOILS ARE TESTED TO PROVIDE DESIGN ENGINEERS


WITH THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAKE THEIR
DESIGN COMPLETE, THOROUGH AND APPLICABLE

LAB TESTS:
LAB RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO ANSWER MOST IF NOT ALL OF
THE FOLLOWING :
1. SOIL CLASSIFICATION
2. UNIT WEIGHT AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY
3. SETTLEMENT, CONSOLIDATION, AND SWELLING PROBLEMS
4. STRENGTH OR BEARING CAPACITY
5. COMPACTION
6. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES (if applicable)
SOIL TESTING

FIELD TESTS
-STANDARD PENETRATION
TEST
-CONE PENETRATION TEST
-VANE TEST
-PRESSUREMETER
-GEOPHYSICAL METHODS
TESTS

TESTS FOR STRENGTH


-DIRECT SHEAR
- UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
- TRIAXIAL SERIES

COMPACTION TESTS
- STANDARD COMPACTION TEST 5.5 Ibs, 12-in high,
3-layers
- MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST 10 Ibs, 18-in high, 5-
layers
TESTS

MEASURING THE "PH"


- IN CASE OF ORGANIC SOILS

TESTS FOR SOIL CLASSIFICATION


-SEIVE ANALYSIS AND HYDROMETER
-ATTERBERG LIMITS (PL, LL, PI)

TESTS FOR SETTLEMENT, AND CONSOLIDATION


-DETERMINATION OF "E", THE MODULUS OF
ELASTICITY
-CONSOLIDATION AND SWELLING

You might also like