ASSIGNMENT#2 (Classification of Soil)

NAME: AJMAL HASSAN

CMS: 370756

BATCH: NICE-21-C

COURSE: CE-222: Soil Mechanics-1

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Zain Maqsood

Question-1:
How would you compare and contrast between the textural classification system of
soil and classification system based on the engineering behaviour of soils?
TEXTURAL
CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEM OF SOIL
It is based upon particle-size
distribution.
i.e., percentage of sand, silt and clay-
size present in soil.
The gravel fraction is EXCLUDED.
The plasticity of the soil is NOT
considered.
So inadequate for most engineering
purposes.
This system is adopted by USDA (U.S.
Department of Agriculture)
The triangular charts are used to
classify soil by this system.
This system specifically names the soil
depending on the percentage of sand,
silt and clay.
It is simpler but not Mostly adopted.
It is not universally accepted.
Symbols are not used.
Organic soil cannot be classified.
CLASSIFICATION BASED
ON ENGINEERING
BEHAVIOR OF SOIL
It is based upon particle-size
distribution.
i.e., percentage of sand, silt and clay-
size present in soil.
The gravel fraction is CONSIDERED.
The plasticity of the soil is considered.
i.e., liquid limit and plasticity index
This system is adopted by:
 AASHTO (after some revisions)
 USCS (The Unified Soil
Classification System)
The soils are divided into seven major
groups. Some of the major groups
further divided into subgroups.
(AASHTO)
This system names the soil depending
on the percentage of sand, silt and clay.
liquid limit and plasticity index are also
considered.
A unified classification of soils is the
most adopted classification system of
soil for engineering purposes. (USCS)
It is the universally accepted soil
classification system. (USCS)
Each group is identified using a group
symbol. The group symbol consists of
primary and secondary descriptive
letters.
Organic soil can be classified.
Question-2:
In a road project, two different natural inorganic soils (namely SOIL-A and SOIL-
B) were encountered. In Fig. 1, the grain-size distributions of SOIL-A and SOIL-B
are described by Curves-A and Curve-B, respectively. SOIL-A has liquid limit of
44, whereas the plastic limit of the said soil is 21.

a. Classify SOIL-A as per the Unified Soil Classification System.

Gravels= 100 – 98 % = 2%
Sand= 98 – 56 = 42%
Fines= 56%

 So, by using the Unifies soil classification system we get Sandy lean clay.
 b. Considering the Unified Soil Classification System, classify
SOIL-B.
Gravels= 0%
Sand= 100 - 4 = 96%
Fines= 4%
𝐶u = 𝐷60/𝐷10
𝐶u = 0.4/0.09
𝐶u = 4.44
𝐶u = (𝐷30)2/𝐷60 × 𝐷10
𝐶u = 0.1852/0 ⋅ 4 × 0.09
𝐶u = 0.95

 So by using the Unifies soil classification system we get Poorly graded sand.

c. What conclusions can you draw about SOIL-A and SOIL-B?

Soil-A is sandy lean clay while Soil-2 is poorly graded sand.
REFRENCES:
Different Classification of Soils for Engineering Purpose (theconstructor.org) (for Question 1)

5 Types of Soil Classification System: MIT, Textural, USCS, Indian & AASTHO Soil Classification Systems
(dreamcivil.com) (for Question 1)