STP 205-2

Standard Test Section: SOILS

Procedures Manual Subject: GROUP INDEX AND CLASSIFICATION

1. SCOPE

1.1 Description of Test

This method describes the procedure for obtaining the group index and unified
classification of soils based on the plasticity index and gradation.

1.2 Units of Measure

The group index value ranges from 0 to 20, and is a combination of weighted variables
related to percent passing 71 µm sieve, the liquid limit and plasticity index. A graphical
method of calculating the group index is used to simplify the method.

The unified classification system classifies material into groups according to plasticity,
gradation and organic characteristics. A combination of visual examination, laboratory
sieve analysis and plasticity index tests are used in the method. A graphical procedure
using two charts, simplifies the final classification into groups identified by symbols.

2. PROCEDURE

2.1 Test Procedure

2.1.1 Procedure for Group Index Calculation

Complete sieve and plasticity index on material as per STP 206-1 and STP 205-
1.

Calculate the group index using the following example as a guide.

Liquid Limit - 45, Plasticity Index - 22, Percent Passing

71 µm sieve - 50.

Enter chart No. 1 on Figure 205-2-1 on the lower horizontal scale "percent
passing 71 µm at 50". Proceed vertically upward until liquid limit of 45 is
reached. Proceed horizontally to the left and obtain a reading of 3.4 on the
vertical axis.
Enter chart No. 2 on top horizontal scale "percent passing 71 µm" at 50.
Proceed vertically downward until plasticity index of 22 is reached. Proceed

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 Standard Test Procedures Manual STP 205-2
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SOILS GROUP INDEX AND CLASSIFICATION

horizontally to the right until the vertical axis is intercepted and obtain reading of
4.2.

Combine the readings of 3.4 and 4.2 to give group index of 7.6.

2.1.2 Procedure for Unified Classification

Visually examine the soil to determine whether it is highly organic, and whether
it is coarse or fine grained.

Refer to Figure 205-2-2A or 205-2-2B and follow the directions given on the
chart, starting at the top.

Conduct tests as required to obtain the proper path through the chart. Run sieve
analysis as per STP 206-1 and plasticity index as per STP 205-1, if required.

The plasticity index and liquid limit are plotted as coordinates on the "Plasticity
Chart" shown in Figure 205-2-3. Determine the proper symbol for the soil
according to the location of the point on the chart. In chart areas marked "ML &
OL" and "MH and OH" use the first symbol unless the material has substantial
organic content as indicated by a black colour.

Return to Figure 205-2-2A or 205-2-2B and use the information obtained from
the plasticity chart to find or confirm the proper identification symbol along the
bottom.

3. RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

3.1 Example Classification

The following example shows the procedure for classifying one soil.

Liquid Limit - 40; Plasticity Index - 23; Passing 71 µm - 58%.

Visual Examination - inorganic.

Enter Figure 205-2-2B, follow path to the right (fine grained), then down and left (liquid
limit less than 50).

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 Standard Test Procedures Manual STP 205-2
Section: Subject:
SOILS GROUP INDEX AND CLASSIFICATION

Enter Figure 205-2-3, with plasticity data, which plots above "A-line" in the CL area.

Return to Figure 205-2-2 and follow through to confirm soil to be CL.

To determine whether gravels and sands are well graded or poorly graded, the sieve test
should be plotted on a grain size distribution chart (MR-38). The D60, D30 and D10
values can then be determined using the particle size scale along the bottom
corresponding to 60%, 30% and 10% passing along the left edge of the graph.

Calculate the coefficient of uniformity Cu and coefficient of curvature Cc using the

formulas.

D60
Cu =
D10

CC =
(D ) 30
2

(D 10
×D60 )

Gravels and sands are then classified according to the following criteria:

GW, Cu greater than 4, Cc between 1 and 3

SW, Cu greater than 6, Cc between 1 and 3

3.2 Reporting Results

All others not meeting the above are GP or SP.

Report both group index and unified classification on Form MR-20 or other forms as
required.

4. ADDED INFORMATION

4.1 References

The Asphalt Institute Manual Series MS-20.

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Section: Subject:
SOILS GROUP INDEX AND CLASSIFICATION

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Section: Subject:
SOILS GROUP INDEX AND CLASSIFICATION

Figure 205-2-2A

MAKE VISUAL EXAMINATION OF SOIL TO DETERMINE

WHETHER IT IS HIGHLY ORGANIC, COARSE OR FINE
GRAINED. IN BORDERLINE CASES DETERMINE
AMOUNT PASSING 71µm SIEVE

HIGHLY ORGANIC SOILS COARSE GRAINED

(Pt) 50% or less pass
Fibrous texture, colour, odour 71µm sieve
very high moisture content,
particles of vegetable matter,
(sticks, leaves, etc.)
Run sieve
analysis

GRAVEL(G) SAND (S)

Greater percentage of coarse fraction Greater percentage of coarse fraction
retained on 5.00mm sieve pass 5.00mm sieve

Less than 5% Between 5% and More then Less than Between More than
pass 12% pass 71µm 12% pass 5% pass 5% and 12% 12% pass
71µm sieve sieve 71µm sieve 71µm pass 71µm 71µm sieve
sieve sieve

Borderline to have Borderline to have

double symbol double symbol
appropriate to grading Run wL and Examine appropriate to Run wL and
Examine and plasticity wP on minus grain size grading and wP on minus
grain size characteristics, e.g. 400µm sieve curve plasticity 400µm sieve
curve GW-GM fraction characteristics, e.g. fraction
SW-SM

Well Poorly Below Limits plot Above ‘A’ Well Poorly Below ‘A’ Limits plot in Above ‘A’
graded graded ‘A’ line in hatched line and graded graded line and hatched zone line and
and zone on hatched hatched on plasticity hatched
hatched plasticity zone on zone on chart zone on
zone on chart plasticity plasticity plasticity
plasticity chart chart chart
chart

GM SM

GW GP GMd GMu GM-GC GC SW SP SMd SMu

wL ≤ 28 wL ≥ 28 wL ≤ 28 wL ≥ 28 SM-SC SC
Ip ≤ 6 Ip ≥ 6 Ip ≤ 6 Ip ≥ 6

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SOILS GROUP INDEX AND CLASSIFICATION

Figure 205-2-2B

MAKE VISUAL EXAMINATION OF SOIL TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT IS HIGHLY

ORGANIC, COARSE OR FINE GRAINED. IN BORDERLINE CASES DETERMINE AMOUNT
PASSING 71µm SIEVE

FINE GRAINED
More than 50% pass 71µm sieve

Run wL and wP on minus

400µm sieve material

L H
Liquid limit less Liquid limit
than 50 greater than 50

Below ‘A’ Limits plot Above ‘A’ Below ‘A’ Above ‘A’
line and in hatched line and line on line on
hatched zone on hatched plasticity plasticity
zone on plasticity zone on chart chart
plasticity chart plasticity
chart chart

Colour, Colour,
odour, odour,
possibly wL possibly wL
and wP on and wP on
oven dry oven dry
soil soil

Organic Inorganic Organic Inorganic

OL ML ML-CL CL OH MH CH

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 Standard Test Procedures Manual STP 205-2
Section: Subject:
SOILS GROUP INDEX AND CLASSIFICATION

4.2 General

The group index is a value which combines both plasticity and gradation characteristics
of a soil. The index is the sum of 2 numbers derived from the liquid limit and the
percent passing 71 µm on the lower portion of the chart and the plasticity index and the
percent passing 71µm on the upper portion of the chart. The maximum from the lower
portion is 12 and the maximum from the upper portion is 8. This weighting provides a
number which is an indication of supporting value from the soil. Group indexes may
range from 0 to 20, with 0 representing good supporting value and 20 indicating poor
material.

The unified classification system for soils also provides a means of readily identifying
soils in accordance with their value as highway materials. In general terms, the
materials are best on the lower left side of Figure 205-2-2A (i.e. GW) and decrease in
desirability as we cross to the right side of Figure 205-2-2B (i.e. CH).

The easily understood symbols are convenient for describing soils using various
combinations to denote the characteristics. The basic symbols are:

G - gravel
S - sand
M - silt
C - clay
Pt - peat
O - organic (e.g., topsoil)

The modifying symbols are:

W - well graded
P - poorly graded
L - low plasticity
H - high plasticity
u - undesirable
d - desirable

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