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1. To be able to classify the soil sample using the Unified Soil Classification System
2. To be able to describe the property of the classified soil sample comparing it to other
soil classification
Theoretical Background
Soil classification is the separation of soil into classes or groups each having similar
Soil with similar properties may be classified into two groups and subgroups based on
concisely the general characteristics of soils, which are infinitely varied, without a detailed
description. At the present time, two elaborate classification systems that use the grain-size
distribution and the plasticity of soils are commonly used by soil engineers. They are the
classification system and the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The AASHTO
system is used mostly by state and county highway departments, whereas geotechnical
Administration Classification System. It has undergone several revisions, with the present
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Figure 7-1 Classification of Highway Subgrade Materials
To classify a soil according to Figure 7-1, the test data are applied from left to right.
By process of elimination, the first group from the left into which the test data will fit is the
correct classification.
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The original form of USCS was proposed by Casagrande in 1948 for use in the
airfield construction works undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II.
In cooperation with the US Bureau of Reclamation, this system was revised in 1952.
1. Coarse grained soils that are gravelly and sandy in nature with less than 50% passing
through the No.200 sieve. The group symbols start with a prefix of either G or S. G
stands for gravel or gravelly soil, and S for sand or sandy soil.
2. Fine-grained soils with 50% or more passing through the No.200 sieve. The group
symbols start with a prefix M, which stands for inorganic silt, C for organic clay, or O
for organics silts and clays. The symbol Pt is used for peat, muck and other highly
organic soils.
Figure 7-2 Unified Soil Classification system (Based on Material Passing 75-mm sieve)
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Figure 7-3 Plasticity Chart
For proper classification according to this system, some or all of the following
1. Percent of gravel – that is, the fraction passing the 76.2-mm sieve and retained on the
2. Percent of sand – that is, the fraction passing the No.4 sieve (4.75-mm opening) and
3. Percent of silt and clay – that is, the fraction finer than the No.200 sieve (0.075-mm
opening)
5. Liquid Limit and Plasticity Index of the portion of soil passing No.40 sieve.
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Figure 7-4 Flowchart Group Names for Gravelly and Sandy Soil
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Figure 7-5 Flowchart Group Names for Inorganic Silty and Clayey Soils
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Figure 7-6 Flowchart Group Names for Organic Silty and Clayey Soils
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Procedure
AASHTO CLASSIFICATION
1. Determine the percentage of soil passing through U.S. No. 200 sieve (0.075 mm
opening). If [35% or less passes No. 200 sieve, it is a coarse-grained material. Proceed
to Steps 2 and 4. If more than 35% passed No. 200 sieve, it is a fine-grained material
percent passing U.S. sieve Nos. 10, 40 and 200 and, additionally, the liquid limit and
plasticity index. Then proceed to Figure 7-1 Start from the top line and compare the
known soil properties with those given in the table (Columns 2 through 6). Go down
one line at a time until a line is found for which all the properties of the desired soil
3. For fine-grained soils, determine the liquid limit and the plasticity index. Then go
to Figure 7-1. Start from the top line. By matching the soil properties from Columns
2, 3 and 4, determine the proper soil group (or subgroup). Determination of Group
Index
4. To determine the group index (GI) of coarse-grained soils, the following rules need
to be observed.
a. OH or soils in groups (or subgroups) A-I-a, A-I-b, A-2-4, A-2-5 and A-3 is zero.
b. For OJ in soils of groupsA-2-6 and A-2-7, use the following equation: OJ = 0.01
(F200 - 15)(PI - 10) whereF200 = percent passing No. 200 sieve PI = plasticity index
(9.1) If the 01 comes out negative, round it off to zero. If the 01 is positive, round it
(F200 - 35)[0.2 + 0.005(LL - 40)] + 0.01(F200 - l5)(PI - 10) (9.2) If the GI comes out
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negative, round it off to zero. However, if it is positive, round it off to the nearest
6. Expression for Soil Classification. The final classification of a soil is given by first
writing down the group (or subgroup) followed by the group index in parenthesis.
1. If it is peat (i.e., primarily organic matter, dark in color, and has organic odor),
classify it as Pt by visual observation. For all other soils, determine the percent
2. Determine the percent retained on U.S. No, 200 sieve (R200) as R4 = 100 -
less than or equal to 50%, it is a fine-grained soil. For the case where R200 s
4. For fine-grained soils (i.e., R200 S 50%, determine if the soil is organic or
inorganic in nature.
a. If the soil is organic, the group symbol can be OH or OL. If the soil is
inorganic, the group 'symbol can be CL, ML, CH, MH, or CL-ML.
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d. For inorganic soils, determine the liquid limit (LL) and the plasticity
index (Pl). Go to Step 4e. For organic soils, determine the liquid limit
(not oven dried), LLNOD; the liquid limit (oven dried), LLOD; and the
e. With known values of R200, OF, SF, SF/OF, LL and PI, use Table 9-3
SF/OF.
GW GW-GM
GF GW-GC
GM GP-GM
GC GP-GC
GC-GM
b. If R4 > 0.5Rzoo, it is a sandy soil. These soils may have the following
group symbols:
SW SW-SM
SP SW-SC
SM SP-SM
SC SP-SC
SM-SC
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Analysis of Data
= 41.9 – 26.667
= 15.223
The liquid limit and plastic limit are 41.9 and 26.667 respectively.
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Using the Figure 7-1, since 6.667% of the soil passing through the No.200 sieve, it
falls under granular materials classification. The plasticity index of the soil is 15.223. So,
The liquid limit and plastic limit are 41.9 and 26.667 respectively.
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Using the Figure 7-2 to Figure 7-6, the classification of soil is SW-SC well graded sand
Gravel fraction = 14
Computing D10
𝑫𝟏𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟑𝟎𝟑𝟗𝟖𝟔𝟎𝟕
Computing D30
𝟑𝟖 − 𝟐𝟒 𝟑𝟖 − 𝟑𝟎
=
𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝟎 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝟎
𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( ) 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( 𝑫 )
𝟎. 𝟒𝟐𝟓 𝟑𝟎
𝑫𝟏𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟓𝟖𝟏𝟗
Computing D60
𝟔𝟐 − 𝟑𝟖 𝟔𝟐 − 𝟔𝟎
=
𝟐 𝟐
𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( ) 𝒍𝒐𝒈 (𝑫 )
𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝟎 𝟔𝟎
𝑫𝟔𝟎 = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟔𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟒𝟕𝟑𝟏
Computing Cc
(𝑫𝟑𝟎 )𝟐
𝑪𝒄 = = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟐𝟕𝟖𝟗𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟏
(𝑫𝟏𝟎 )(𝑫𝟔𝟎 )
Computing Cu
(𝑫𝟔𝟎 )
𝑪𝒄 = = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟏𝟑𝟔𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟏𝟖
(𝑫𝟏𝟎 )
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Discussion of results
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Conclusion & Recommendation
Soil classification is a dynamic subject, from the structure of the system itself, to the
definitions of classes, and finally in the application in the field. Soil classification can be
We concluded that the classification of soil sample is dependent on the datum of the
preceding laboratories. This report shows the classification of soil using AASHTO and
USCS. Classifying soils depends greatly on two experiments: the particle size distribution
and the Atterberg limits. Using these two experiments we identify the classification of our
soil sample.
engineering properties as they relate to use for foundation support or building material.
Modern engineering classification systems are designed to allow an easy transition from field
The group recommend that to easily classify the soil base on the AASHTO (American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) and USCS (Unified Soil Classification
System) tabulate the sieve percent finer and the Atterberg limits. And make sure to identify the
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References
Braja M. Das
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=classification+of+highway+subgrade+materials&t
bm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=pOQBky00BBKNUM%253A%252CzewzpZZgy16id
M%252C_&usg=AI4_TQsnMsoORnai5qFttBuqmW91VbHQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJk
5by56zeAhWaUd4KHdP3AMQQ9QEwC3oECAQQBA#imgrc=R-XDXSFHaKDMXM:
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=plasticity+chart&oq=plasticity&aqs=chrome.1.69i
57j0l5.4679j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
https://www.google.com.ph/search?biw=911&bih=438&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=6aXXW-
OCEsqgb2vIa4Dg&q=flowchart+group+names++for+inorganic+silty+and+clayey+soils
&oq=flowchart+group+names++for+inorganic+silty+and+clayey+soils&gs_l=img.3...72
0097.750920.0.751139.62.60.1.0.0.0.326.6942.0j46j3j1.50.0....0...1c.1.64.img..11.18.309
1.0..0j35i39k1j0i67k1j0i10i67k1j0i8i10i30k1j0i8i30k1.0.MKRGsbfvY8I#imgrc=hYlIbB
DwxF8YSM:
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Appendix
Group Members
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