Term Description Grade

No visible sign of material

Fresh IA
weathering

Discoloration on major
Faintly weathered IB
discontinuity surfaces

Discoloration indicates
weathering of rock material
and discontinuity of surfaces.
Slightly weathered All the rock material may be II
discolored by weathering and
may be somewhat weaker
than its fresh condition.

Less than half the rock

material is decomposed and/or
disintegrates to soil. Fresh or
Moderately weathered III
discolored rock is present
either as a continuous frame
work of as core stones.

More than half the rock

material is decomposed and/or
disintegrated to soil. Fresh or
Highly weathered IV
discolored rock is present
either as a discontinuous
frame work or as core stones.

All rock material is

decomposed and/or
Completely weathered disintegrated to soil. The V
original mass structure is
largely intact.

All rock material is converted

to soil. The mass structure and
material fabric are destroyed.
Residual soil VI
There is a large change in
volume, but the soil has not
been significantly transported.