SOIL GRADATION is a classification of the particle size where D60 is the grain diameter at 60% passing, and D10
distribution of a soil. Coarse-grained soils, mainly gravels is the grain diameter at 10% passing.
or sands, are graded as either well graded or poorly The coefficient of curvature, Cc is a shape parameter and
graded. Poorly graded soils are further divided into is calculated using the following equation:
uniformly-graded or gap-graded soils. Fine-grained soils,
mainly silts and clays, are classified according to
their Atterberg limits.
Well Graded where D60 is the grain diameter at 60% passing, D30 is
A well graded soil is a soil that contains particles the grain diameter at 30% passing, and D10 is the grain
of a wide range of sizes and has a good diameter at 10% passing.
representation of all sizes from the No. 4 to No. Once the coefficient of uniformity and the coefficient of
200 sieves. curvature have been calculated, they must be compared
Poorly Graded to published gradation criteria.
A poorly graded soil is a soil that does not have a
good representation of all sizes of particles from PLASTICITY OF SOIL
the No. 4 to No. 200 sieve. A poorly graded gravel It is the property of soil by which it undergoes
is classified as GP while a poorly graded sand is deformation without cracking or fracturing.
classified as SP. Poorly graded soils are more
susceptible to soil liquefaction than well graded Criteria:
soils i. The soil should be clay.
A gap-graded soil is a soil that has an excess or ii. Presence of water
deficiency of certain particle sizes or a soil that Negative charges are present on the surfaces of clay
has at least one particle size missing. An example particles. The water molecules are dipolar and hence
of a gap-graded soil is one in which sand of the they are attracted towards the surfaces of clay particles.
No. 10 and No. 40 sizes are missing, and all the This process is known as adsorption of water. This
other sizes are present. adsorbed water contributes to the plasticity of the soil
Process of Grading a Soil since it allows the clay particles to slip over one another.
The process of grading a soil is in accordance
with either the Unified Soil Classification System Plastic Limit
or the AASHTO Soil Classification System. The It is the water content at which soil changes from plastic
steps in grading a soil are data collection, state to semi-solid state or it is the minimum water
calculating coefficients of uniformity and content at which soil rolled into threads of 3 mm
curvature, and grading the soil based on the diameter just crumbles. It is denoted by ωP.
grading criteria given in the used soil Shrinkage Limit
classification system. It is the water content at which the soil changes from
semi-solid state to solid state or it is the maximum water
content at which further reduction in the water content
Calculating the Coefficients of Uniformity and will not cause decrease in the volume of soil. It is denoted
Curvature by ωs.
Calculating the coefficients of uniformity and curvature
requires grain diameters. The grain diameter can be Determination of Plastic Limit
found for each percent of the soil passing a particular
sieve. This means that if 40% of the sample is retained on Take soil sample (100 gm) passing through
the No. 200 sieve then there is 60% passing the No. 200 425μ sieve.
sieve. Mix with distilled water.
Put it on the palm or on the glass and roll till
The coefficient of uniformity, Cu is a crude shape
parameter and is calculated using the following
1. diameter of thread becomes 3 mm
equation:
2. cracks appear
Find the water content, which is the required
plastic limit.
Hence, plastic limit can be defined as the water content
at which the soil can be rolled into a thread of
approximately 3 mm in diameter without any crumbling.
2. Cassagrande's Method
Determination of Liquid Limit
1. Cone Penetrometer Method
Height of cone = 35 mm
Apex angle of cone = 30 degrees (tolerance = 1
degree)
Disc + rod + cone = 80 gm (tolerance = 0.05 gm) -Soil passing through 425 micron sieve is taken.
Soil sample = 50 mm diameter, 50 mm height -Mix with distilled water.
Soil passing through 425 micron sieve is taken -Keep it in the brass cup.
and mixed with distilled water. -Cut the soil by grooving tool into two halves.
Keep it in the cup. -Rotate the handle at 2 rev/s till the two halves of soil -
Release the cone for 30 seconds. touch for a length of 12 mm.
Measure the penetration in mm. -Note down the number of revolutions (number of
Repeat the procedures for 3 more times at blows).
different water contents. -Find out the water content.
The water content at each case is determined. -Repeat the procedures for three more samples.
Plot water content vs. penetration in normal -Standard value of number of blows (N) = 25 (tolerance
graph. = 15). Hence, the standard number of blows ranges
from 10 to 40.
The water content required for 25 mm penetration is -Plot number of blows versus water content on a semi-
considered as liquid limit. log graph.
-The number of blows is plotted in X-axis in log-scale.
-The water content corresponding to 25 number of
blows is taken as liquid limit.
-The curve obtained is known as flow curve. The slope
of this curve is known as flow Index (If).
Determination of Shrinkage Limit
Shrinkage limit indicates the lowest water content of the
soil at which it remains saturated. It is the maximum
water content at which further reduction in the water
content will not caused a decrease in the volume of the
soil.
Figure (a) shows a soil sample which is fully saturated and
has the water content greater than the expected
shrinkage limit. In figure (b), the soil sample is at
shrinkage limit. Finally, figure (c) depicts the condition
when the soil sample has been oven-dried. Hence, the
total volume in third figure is the same as the volume in
second case.
