Chapter 2

1 .For a soil, suppose that D10 = 0.08 mm, D30 = 0.22 mm, and D60 = 0.41 mm.
Calculate the uniformity coefficient and the coefficient of gradation.
Solution:

2. Repeat Problem 1 with the following: D10

D60 = 0.78 mm.

0.18 mm, D30 = 0.32 mm, and

Cu = D60/ D10 = 0.78/0.18 = 1.8

Cz =

D2 30/ (D60) (D10) = 0,322 /(0.78)(0.18) = 0.71

3.

a. Determine the percent finer than each sieve and plot a grain-size distribution curve.
b. Determine D10, D30, and D60 from the grain-size distribution curve.
c. Calculate the uniformity coefficient, Cu.
d. Calculate the coefficient of gradation, Cc.

Solution:

c,)
Cu = D60/ D10 = 0.30/0.09 = 3.3333
d.)

Cz =

D 2 30/ (D60) (D10) = 0,172 /(0.30)(0.09) = 1.0703

4, Following are the results of a sieve analysis. Make the necessary calculations and
draw a particle-size distribution curve

Solution
The following table can now be prepared.

5. For the particle-size distribution curve shown in Figure 2.28 determine

a. D10, D30, and D60
b. Uniformity coefficient, Cu
c. Coefficient of gradation, Cz
Solution:

Part a
From Figure 2.28,
D10 = 0.15 mm
D30 = 0.17 mm
D60 = 0.27 mm

Part b
Cu = D60/ D10 = 0,27/.15 = 1.8
Cz =

(0.27)(0.15)
= 0.71

30/ (D60) (D10) =

0.17

6. For the particle-size distribution curve shown in Figure 2.28, determine the percentages
of gravel, sand, silt, and clay-size particles present. Use the Unified Soil Classification
System.
Solution
From Figure 2.28, we can prepare the following table

7. The particle-size characteristics of a soil are given in this table. Draw the particlesize
distribution curve.

a) According USCS
% Gravel = 0%
% Sand = % passing on 4.74mm- % passing on 0.075mm
=100-93=7%
% Silt& clay = % Fines=100%-% gravel-%sand
= 100-0-7=93%
b) According AASHTO
% Grave l = 0%
% Sand = % passing on 4.74mm- % passing on 0.075mm
=100-93=7%
% Silt = % passing on 0.075mm- % passing on 0.002mm
= 93-40=53%
% Clay = % passing on 0.002mm
= 40%