INTRODUCTION TO SOILS

SOIL TEXTURAL TRIANGLE

FACILITATORS: M PAUL | KK MCKENZIE

THE SOIL TEXTURAL TRIANGLE

(RULER MUST BE
PARALLEL TO THE SAND
LINE)

(RULER MUST BE
PARALLEL TO THE CLAY
LINE)

(RULER MUST BE
PARALLEL TO THE SILT
LINE)

INTRODUCTION TO SOILS
SOIL TEXTURAL TRIANGLE
FACILITATORS: M PAUL | KK MCKENZIE

Practice Exercises
% Sand

% Silt

% Clay

Texture Name

a)

75

10

15

_______________________

b)

10

83

_______________________

1. Using your soil texture chart and example, determine the following soil textural class using the
percentages given.
% Sand

% Silt

% Clay

Soil Texture

example

75

10

15

sandy loam

a)

90

__________________________

b)

40

45

15

__________________________

c)

15

10

75

__________________________

d)

10

46

44

__________________________

e)

55

10

45

__________________________

2. A sample of soils was screened and the size separates (smaller than 2mm) were determined,
along with the following results:
Sand content (2 0.04mm diameter)

140 grams

Silt content (0.05 0.002mm diameter)

38 grams

Clay content (<0.002mm diameter)

22 grams

Determine the percentage of the total weight of each soil portion, and using the Soil Texture Triangle,
determine the soil textural class.