) ) soil classification

:
:

 -:

) ) sub base
(. ) sub grade

,
.
.

1 AASHTO
2 USCS

1 - AASHTO

 ( A-7

) A-1

( ) 2 - 6
( ) LL ,PI
( ) GI
)GI = ( F -35)[0.2+0.005(LL - 40)] + 0.01(F-15)(PL-10
) F : percent passing 0.075 mm (No 200
GI:

A 1 :
A 2 :
A 3 :

A-1-a
A-1-b
A-2-4
A-2-5

) Subgrade ) sub base

A-3

AASHTO
A-2-6
A-2-7
A-4
A-5

Sub grade Sub base

A-6

A-7-5
A-7 -6
4

 GI
) Sub grade (
GI = 0 good subgrade soil
GI = 20 poor subgrade soil

EX :- classify soil sample using AASHTO method , the following date were obtained for a soil
sample .
Mechanical Analysis
Sieve No
4
10
40
100
200

Percent finer
97
93
88
78
70

Plasticity tests

LL = 48%
Pl = 26%

Using the AASHTO method for classifying soils , determine the classification of the soil and
state whether this material is suitable in its natural state for use as a sub base material .
SOL /
* since more than 35% of the material passes NO 200 sieve , the soil is
either
A- 4
A -5
A6
OR
A7
*LL > 40% and the soil cannot be in group A-4 or A-6 thus , it is either
A-5 or A-7
*The PI is 22% (48 26 ) , which is greater than 10% Thus eliminating
A 5 . the soil is A -7 -5 or A- 7 - 6

*( LL 30 ) = 18 < PI ( 22% ) . Therefore the soil is ( A 7 - 6 ) since the plasticity index

of ( A 7 5 ) soil sub group is less than ( LL 30 ) , the GI is given as :
(70 30 ) [ 0.2 + 0.005 ( 48 40 )] + 0.01 ( 70 15 ) ( 22 10 ) = 8.4 + 6.6 = 15
This soil is ( A 6 5 ( 15 ) ) and is there for unsuitable as a sub base material in its
natural state .
5

2- USCS

1-Coarse grained soils

Gravel
Coarse

( 19-75)mm

Fine

(4.75-19)mm

Sand
Coarse

( 2-4.75)mm

Medium

(0.425-2)mm

Fine

(0.075-0.425)mm

2- Fine grained soil

Fine

3- Organic soils

4- Peat

less than NO 200 (0.075mm)

Silt

use Atterberg limits

Clay

use Atterberg limits

Pt

Well graded
Poorly graded

high LL

low LL

Cu=

Cs=

D 60

grain diameter at 60% passing

D 30

grain diameter at 30% passing

D 10

grain diameter at 10% passing

For Gravel

Cu > 4

Well graded
1 < Cc < 3

For sand

Cu > 6

Well graded
1 < Cc < 3

EX :- the results obtained from a mechanical analysis and plasticity test an a soil sample are
shown below . classify soil using USCS and state whether or not it can be used in a natural
state as a sub base material

Mechanical Analysis
Sieve No
4
10
40
100
200

Percent passing (by

weight)
98
93
85
73
62

Plasticity tests

LL = 40%
Pl = 30%

SOL /
The grain size distribution is plotted as shown in figure below since more than 50% ( 62%)
of the soil passing the NO 200 sieve , the soil is fine graded plot of the limits on the plasticity
chart is below the "A" line (PI =40 30 = 10 ) Therefor it is either silt or organic clay .
however ,the LL is less than 50% ( 40% ) : therefore it is low LL . this soil can be classified as
ML or OL which is probably equivalent to an A- 4 orA-5 soil in the AASHTO classification
system .

EX :- Repeat last example for the data below

Sieve No
4
10
40
100
200

Passing %
95
30
15
8
3

Plasticity tests

LL = non plastic
Pl = non plastic

SOL/
The grain size distribution is plotted as shown in figure below since only 3% passing sieve
NO 200 < 50% , the soil is coarse grained since more than 50% passing sieve NO 4 , the soil is
classified as SAND .because the soil is non-plastic it is necessary to determine its coefficient
of uniformly Cu and coefficient of curvature Cc .
Cu = (D60/D10 )

Cc = ( D30^2/D10*D60 )

( 3.8/0.25) = 15.2 > 6

(2^2/0.25*3.8) = 4.2 * out of rang (1 3 )

This soil is not well graded is classified as SP and therefore can be used as a sub
base material if properly drained compacted .

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