University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics-Third Year

…………………………………………………………………………….
Classification of Soil
1. Scales of particle size definition
Different soils with similar properties may be classified into groups and sub-groups
according to their engineering behavior.

➢ Most of the engineering classification systems of soil are based on particle-size

distribution and plasticity.

➢ The most common classification systems are identified below where each one is
designed for a particular field.

Soil classification systems

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 50

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

2. USDA Scale (agriculture)

U.S. Department of Agriculture textural classification (USDA)

The particle-size distribution of soil A is 30% sand, 40% silt, and 30% clay-size
particles. The classification of soil is clay loam.

For soil B has a particle size distribution of 20% gravel, 10% sand, 30% silt, and
40% clay, a correction will be necessary, the modified textural compositions are:
% 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟎 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 % 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝 = = = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟓%
𝟏𝟎𝟎 − % 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟎

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 51

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

% 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝟑𝟎 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 % 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐭 = = = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟓%
𝟏𝟎𝟎 − % 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟎
% 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝟒𝟎 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 % 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐲 = = = 𝟓𝟎%
𝟏𝟎𝟎 − % 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟎
According to the USDA, the textural classification of soil B is clay. However,
because of the large percentage of gravel, it may be called gravelly clay.

3. Engineering classification

The engineering classification systems commonly used are based on particle-size

distribution and Atterberg's limits: (AASHTO) System and (USCS) System.

➢ The AASHTO classification system is used mostly by state and county highway
departments.

➢ Geotechnical engineers generally prefer the USCS.

a) AASHTO classification

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials system

(For road construction)

❖ AASHTO system of soil classification was developed in 1929;

❖ The present AASHTO (1978) system is (AASHTO M145);

❖ The system divided the soils into 8 major groups: A-1~A-7 (with several
subgroups) and organic soils A-8;

❖ Soils classified under groups A-1, A-2, and A-3 are granular materials.

❖ Soils classified under groups A-4, A-5, A-6, and A-7 are silt and clay.

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 52

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

Definition of Grain Size

Plasticity

The term silty is applied when the fine fractions of the soil have a plasticity index
of 10 or less. The term clayey is applied when the fine fractions have a plasticity
index of 11 or more.

❖ If cobbles and boulders (size larger than 75 mm) are encountered, they are
excluded from the portion of the soil sample. However, the percentage of such
material is recorded.

Group Index GI

𝐆𝐈=(𝐅𝟐𝟎𝟎−𝟑𝟓)[𝟎.𝟐+𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟓(𝐋𝐋−𝟒𝟎)]+𝟎.𝟎𝟏(𝐅𝟐𝟎𝟎−𝟏𝟓)(𝐏𝐈−𝟏𝟎)

The first term is depending on LL, while the second term is depending on PI and
F200 is percentage passing through No.200 sieve.

For Group A-2-6 and A-2-7

𝑮𝑰=𝟎.𝟎𝟏(𝑭𝟐𝟎𝟎−𝟏𝟓)(𝑷𝑰−𝟏𝟎) use the second term only

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 53

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

Explanations of Group Index, GI

1. If the equation of GI gives a negative value then GI=0;

2. Round up the value calculated by 1st equation to an integer;

3. There is no upper limit for GI;

4. The GI values for soil groups A-1-a, A-1-b, A-2-4, A-2-5, and A-3 are always
zero (0).

Range of liquid limit and plasticity index for soils in groups A-2, A-4, A-5, A-
6, and A-7

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 54

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

Classification (Apply from left to right)

AASHTO classification of coarse-grained soils

AASHTO classification of fine-grained soils

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 55

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

Example

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

• Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 100

• Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 80

• Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 58

The liquid limit and plasticity index of the sieve No. 40 fraction of the soil are 30
and 10, respectively. Classify the soil by the AASHTO system.

Solution

Since 58% of the soil is passing through the No. 200 sieve, it falls under silt-clay
classifications, it falls under group A-4, A-5, A-6, or A-7. Proceeding from left to
right, it falls under group A-4.

𝐆𝐈=(𝐅𝟐𝟎𝟎−𝟑𝟓)[𝟎.𝟐+𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟓(𝐋𝐋−𝟒𝟎)]+𝟎.𝟎𝟏(𝐅𝟐𝟎𝟎−𝟏𝟓)(𝐏𝐈−𝟏𝟎)

𝐆𝐈= (58−𝟑𝟓)[𝟎.𝟐+𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟓(30−𝟒𝟎)]+𝟎.𝟎𝟏(58−𝟏𝟓)(10−𝟏𝟎) = 3.45 = 3

So, the soil will be classified as A-4(3).

Example

Ninety-five percent of a soil passes through the No. 200 sieve and has a liquid limit
of 60 and plasticity index of 40. Classify the soil by the AASHTO system.

Solution

The soil falls under group A-7

𝐏𝐈 > 𝐋𝐋 − 𝟑𝟎 ⇛ 𝟒𝟎 > 𝟔𝟎 − 𝟑𝟎

This is an A-7-6 soil.

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 56

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

𝐆𝐈=(𝐅𝟐𝟎𝟎−𝟑𝟓)[𝟎.𝟐+𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟓(𝐋𝐋−𝟒𝟎)]+𝟎.𝟎𝟏(𝐅𝟐𝟎𝟎−𝟏𝟓)(𝐏𝐈−𝟏𝟎)

𝐆𝐈= (95−𝟑𝟓)[𝟎.𝟐+𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟓(60−𝟒𝟎)]+𝟎.𝟎𝟏(95−𝟏𝟓)(40−𝟏𝟎) = 42

Therefore, the classification is A-7-6(42).

b) USCS classification

✓ The system was first developed by Professor A. Casagrande (1948) for the
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

✓ The method is standardized in ASTM D-2487 as “Unified Soil Classification

System (USCS)”.

✓ Coarse-grained soils that are gravelly and sandy in nature with less than 50%
passing through the No. 200 sieve.

✓ Fine-grained soils that are silty and clayey in nature with 50% or more passing
through the No. 200 sieve.

Definition of Grain Size

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 57

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

Soil symbols:

❖ G: Gravel, ❖ S: Sand, ❖ M: Silt

❖ C: Clay, ❖ O: Organic, ❖ Pt: Peat

Liquid limit symbols: • H: High LL (LL>50), • L: Low LL (LL<50)

Gradation symbols: • W: Well-graded, • P: Poorly-graded

• A typical USCS classification would be:

Classification of soils

1) First, find (F200);

2) If 5% or more of the soil passes No. 200 sieve, then conduct Atterberg's limits
(LL & PL);

3) If the soil is fine-grained (F200 ≥ 50%) follow the guidelines for fine-grained
soils (Figure below);

4) If the soil is coarse-grained (F200<50%) follow the guidelines for coarse-grained

soils (Figure below);

5) For coarse-grained soil, find % of Gravel & % of Sand. Also, calculate Cu & Cc.

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 58

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 59

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

6) The group symbol can be obtained from previous Table

7) The group symbols for coarse-grained gravelly soils are GW, GP, GM, GC, GC-
GM, GW-GM, GW-GC, GP-GM, and GP-GC. Similarly, the group symbols for
fine-grained soils are CL, ML, OL, CH, MH, OH, CL-ML, and Pt.

Plasticity chart

Example

For a given soil, the following are known:

• Percentage passing No. 4 sieve = 70

• Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 30

• Liquid limit = 33

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 60

University of Kirkuk/College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

• Plastic limit = 12

Classify the soil using the Unified Soil Classification System. Give the group
symbol and the group name.

Solution

The percentage passing No. 200 sieve is 30%, which is less than 50%. So, it is a
coarse-grained soil. Thus,

Coarse fraction = 100 – 30 = 70%

Gravel fraction = percent retained on No. 4 sieve = 100 – 70 = 30%. Hence, more
than 50% of the coarse fraction is passing No. 4 sieve. Thus, it is a sandy soil.
Since, more than 12% is passing No. 200 sieve, it is SM or SC.

For this soil: PI = 33 – 12 = 21 (which is greater than 7).

With LL = 33 and PI = 21, it plots above the A-line in the Plasticity Chart. Thus,
the group symbol is SC.

For the group name, Since the percentage of gravel is more than 15%, it is clayey
sand with gravel.

Organic Soils

Highly organic soils- Peat (Group symbol, PT)

A sample composed primarily of vegetable tissue in various stages of

decomposition and has a fibrous to amorphous texture, a dark-brown to black
color, and an organic odor should be designated as a highly organic soil and shall
be classified as peat, PT.

Dr. Aram M. Raheem Page 61