Experiment No.

1
(Visual Classification of Soil)

VISUAL SOIL CLASSIFICATION DATA SHEET

Soil Sample Number: Soil A

Classified by:
Date: September 22, 2021

1. Color Brown
2. Odor None
3. Texture Coarse grained soil
4. Major soil constituent Fine Gravel
5. Minor soil constituent Coarse and Medium Sand

Type Approx. % by weight

Fine Gravel 75%
Coarse Sand 20%
Medium Sand 5%
6. For Coarse-grained Soils:
Gradation : Well graded
Particle Shape : Angular

7. For Fine-grained Soils:

Dry Strength : _______________________
Dilatancy : _______________________
Plasticity : _______________________
Toughness : _______________________
Soil Symbol : _______________________

8. Moisture Content : Dry

Classification:
Brown fine gravel, some coarse sand and little medium sand, well graded, angular, dry.

VISUAL SOIL CLASSIFICATION DATA SHEET

1
Provide images during laboratory testing

OBSERVATIONS / COMMENTS:

For visual soil classification, the

parameters that had to be observed about the
soil were angularity, shape, color, odor,
moisture conditions, range of particle sizes.
Using my senses, which are the smell,
touch and sight, I have observed that my soil
sample has no odor, it has a color of brown and a coarse-grained type of soil. When observing the particles of the soil
sample, it was found out that the average size is somehow similar to a grape or pea, rock salt, sugar and table salt. Then
it was concluded that the major constituent was fine gravel and the minor constituents are the coarse and medium sand.
It also shown sharp edges and relatively plane sides with unpolished surfaces of the particles which is classified angular.
It was a well-graded soil since it has an even mixture of different grain sizes. The soil sample is dry to the touch, dusty, a
clear absence of moisture. I think it would be best if there was a laboratory apparatus like a Microscope to be able to
conduct a microscopic analysis of the soil for precise visualization.

CONCLUSION:

According to AboutCivilEngineering.com, a coarse-grained soil has a good load-bearing capacities, good

drainage qualities and practically incompressible when dense. Different soils have different types of behaviors and
properties. It is therefore very important to be able to classify soils accurately based on their characteristics for
engineering purposes.