Soil+Characterization 1

CEE3321A
CEE3321A
Soil Characterization
Read: Coduto et al. (2011) Chapter 4
Learning Objectives: Coduto et al. (2011) Chapter 4 (pages 121 – 158)
A. How soil is formed?

B. Difference phases of a soil
C. Soil weight-volume relationships
D. Determination of soil particle size distribution
E. Soil particle shape
F. Characteristics clays
G. Differences between clays and sands
H. Plasticity of soil and Atterberg limits
I. Organic soils
J. Examples problems
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How soil is formed? By weathering of rock
Rock
Residual soil: formed by in-situ weather of parent rock
Notes
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Clays: produced by chemical weathering of rocks
Notes
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Soil is a three phase material composed of
1. Soil particles (solid phase)
2. Liquid phase (water)
3. Gaseous phase (air)
Weight-Volume Relationship
Vt: total soil volume Mt: total mass of soil
Vv: volume of void space Mw: total mass of pore water
Vw: volume of water Ms: total mass of soil particles
Va: volume of air
Vs: volume of soil particles
Phase Diagram
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Weight-Volume Relationship
Vt = Vv + Vs = Va + Vw + Vs
Mt = Mw + Ms
Phase Diagram
Weight-Volume Relationship: Moisture content
Mw
w(%) = × 100%
Ms
Measured by conducting a “Moisture Content Test” according to ASTM
standard code D2216
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Weight-Volume Relationship: Degree of saturation
Vw
S r (%) = × 100%
Vv
Notes
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Weight-Volume Relationship: Unit weight
Wt (M s + M w )g
Total unit weight γ= =
Vt Vt
W M g
Dry unit weight γd = s = s
Vt Vt
Unit weight of water γ w = 9.81 kN m 3 = 62.4 lb ft 3
Submerged unit weight γb = γ −γw

Ws + Ww Ws + γ wVv
Saturated unit weight γ sat = =
Vt Vt
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Weight-Volume Relationship: Specific gravity of particles
Ms
Gs =
Vs (γ w g )
Determined using ASTM standard test method D854
Often Gs = 2.65 – 2.70
Void ratio: Porosity:
Vv Vv
e= n=
Vs Vt
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Maximum soil dry density, γd,max from ASTM D4253
Minimum dry density, γd,min from ASTM D4254
Ws M s g Gs γ w
γd =
Vt
=
Vt
e= −1
γd
Gs γ w
emax = −1
γ d ,max
Gs γ w
emin = −1
γ d , min
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Relative density
Dr (%) Classification
Indicates how densely the particles 0 – 15 Very loose
are packed in a granular soil
15 – 35 Loose
35 – 65 Medium dense
e −e
Dr (% ) = max × 100 65 – 85 Dense
emax − emin 85 – 100 Very dense
Useful Weight-Volume Relationships
S r e = wGs w
S r (% ) = × 100
γw 1
γ Gs γ w −
γd = = γ d Gs
1+ w 1 + w Gs S r
Notes
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Example: The bulk soil density and moisture content of a soil have been
measured as 1.76 Mg/m3 and 10%, respectively. Find the following parameters
1) Dry unit weight

2) Void ratio (e)
3) Porosity (n)
4) Degree of saturation (Sr)
5) Saturated unit weight
Notes
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Soil Particle Sizes
Determined in the laboratory using (ASTM D422):

Sieve analysis
Hydrometer analysis
Soil Particle Sizes
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Soil Particle Sizes
Sieve analysis: particle sizes are measured by passing soil
through a series of sieves (for particles > 0.075 mm)
Soil Particle Sizes: Sieve Opening size Soil classification
ID Inch mm
ASTM standard sieves 3 in. 3.0 75.0
2 in. 2.0 50
Coarse gravel
1½ in. 1.5 37.5
1 in. 1.0 25
¾ in. 0.75 19
Fine gravel
⅜ in. 0.374 9.5
#4 0.187 4.75
Coarse sand
#8 0.0929 2.36
#10 0.0787 2.00
#16 0.0465 1.18 Medium sand
#20 0.0335 0.85
#40 0.0167 0.425
#100 0.00591 0.150 Fine sand
#200 0.00295 0.075
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Soil Particle Sizes:
Fines: soil particle sizes passing #200 sieve (D < 74 µm)
Consistency Description
Very soft Exudes between fingers
Soft Very easy to mould and stick to hand
Firm Mould easily with moderate pressure
Very firm Moulds only with considerable pressure
Hard Will not mould under finger pressure
Crumbly Breaks up into crumps
Hydrometer Analysis: Based on Stoke’s Law of motion
D 2γ w (Gs − GL )
v=
18η
v: velocity of settling soil particles
D: particle diameter
γw: unit weight of water
Gs: specific gravity of solid particles
GL: specific gravity of soil-water mixture
η: dynamic viscosity of soil-water mixture
Not suitable for D > 0.15 mm (#100 sieve)
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Hydrometer Analysis: Based on Stoke’s Law of motion
Soil Particle Size Distribution Curve:
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Dx : is the particle sizes that correspond to certain (x%) percent-

passing values for a given soil.
For soil A:
D10 = D30 =
D60 =
Coefficient of uniformity
D60
Cu =
D10
Coefficient of curvature
Cc =
(D30 )2
D10 D60
Notes
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Well-graded soil
Cu ≥ 4 & 1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3
Poorly-graded soil
Cu < 4 & Cc <1 or Cc > 3
Soil Particle Shape
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Soil Particle Shape
Platy particles: mica
Micaceous sand: sands that include mica particles
Clays: how large are clay particles?
Clay particles are often less than 2 µm
Scale of clay particle Flaky or needle shaped
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Clays:
Kaolinite: pottery clay
produced by chemical weathering of orthoclase feldspar
Notes
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Silicon Aluminium
tetrahedron octahedron
Clays: what is the fabric (structure) of clay particles?
Flocculated fabric Dispersed fabric
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How do we identify clay soils?
clay sand
What is the difference?
Plasticity: response of a soil to change in moisture content
Sands and gravels: non-plastic

Silt: slightly plastic
Clay: very plastic
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How do we measure plasticity (limits)?
Atterberg limits
Liquid limit (wL): liquid limit test (ASTM D4318)
Plastic limit (wP): plastic limit test (ASTM D4318)
Shrinkage limit (wS): shrinkage limit test (ASTM D427)
Albert Atterberg
(1846 – 1916)
Liquid Limit (ASTM D4318)
wL is when the groove closes along a

length of 12.5 mm in 25 drops
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Plastic Limit (ASTM D4318)
wP is a thread of 3 mm (⅛") diameter

breaks by rolling and drying.
Plasticity Index (PI or IP): I P = wL − wP

range of water content over which the soil remains plastic
w − wP
Liquidity Index (LI or IL): IL =
IP
IL = 0: w = wP IL = 1: w = wL
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How do we identify clay soils? Casagrande’s plasticity chart
Organic Soils?
Contain significant amount of organic plants and animal material
Weak and compressible

Not suitable for engineering projects
Dark color
Organic odor
Spongy
Visible fibers
Peat
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Notes
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Example: A moisture content test was performed on a soil sample obtained from
the field. A small amount of this soil sample was put in a steel can and weighed. The
mass of the can plus the soil in it was 18.68 gr. After oven-drying, the mass of the can
and dried soil was 16.22 gr. The mass of the can was 8.3 gr. Compute the moisture
content of the soil.
Notes
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Example: A density test was performed on a soil sample obtained from the field.
The soil sample was obtained from a cylindrical sampler made of 4 brass rings of 1 in
long and an inside diameter of 2.43 inch. The net weight of the soil in the four rings
was 1.35 lb.
Compute the unit weight of the soil.
Notes
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Example: A 27.5 lb soil has a volume of 0.22 ft3, and a moisture content of
10.2%. Compute the unit weight, dry unit weight, degree of saturation, void ratio, and
porosity.
Notes
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Example: For a soil with n = 42.9%, and w = 21.3%, find Sr and the unit weight.
Notes
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Example: The standard method for measuring soil particles specific gravity
(ASTM D854) is by using a calibrated flask known as a pycnometer as shown in the
figure below.
The pycnometer is first filled with water and set on a balance to find its mass. Then, it
is refilled with a known mass of dry soil plus water so the total volume is the same as
before. Again, its mass is determined. From this data, Gs is computed.
Using this technique on a certain soil sample, we have obtained the following date:
Mass of soil = 81.80 g

Moisture content of soil = 11.2%
Mass of pycnometer and water = 327.12 g
Mass of pycnometer, soil and water = 373.18 g
Volume of pycnometer = 250.00 mL
Calculate Gs.
Notes
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CEE3321A

A. How soil is formed?

Residual soil: formed by in-situ weather of parent rock

Submerged unit weight γb = γ −γw

Determined using ASTM standard test method D854

Often Gs = 2.65 – 2.70

Void ratio: Porosity:

Minimum dry density, γd,min from ASTM D4254

Useful Weight-Volume Relationships

1) Dry unit weight

Determined in the laboratory using (ASTM D422):

Not suitable for D > 0.15 mm (#100 sieve)

Dx : is the particle sizes that correspond to certain (x%) percent-

Cu < 4 & Cc <1 or Cc > 3

Micaceous sand: sands that include mica particles

Clay particles are often less than 2 µm

Scale of clay particle Flaky or needle shaped

Kaolinite: pottery clay

produced by chemical weathering of orthoclase feldspar

Flocculated fabric Dispersed fabric

What is the difference?

Plasticity: response of a soil to change in moisture content

Sands and gravels: non-plastic

Liquid limit (wL): liquid limit test (ASTM D4318)

Plastic limit (wP): plastic limit test (ASTM D4318)

Shrinkage limit (wS): shrinkage limit test (ASTM D427)

wL is when the groove closes along a

wP is a thread of 3 mm (⅛") diameter

Plasticity Index (PI or IP): I P = wL − wP

Contain significant amount of organic plants and animal material

Weak and compressible

Mass of soil = 81.80 g

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