Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie

Laboratory classification of soil

Names :- Jumana Shadeed

Student's number :- 202010398

The submission date: 2022/11/13

Instructor: Eng. Ayman Barakat

Introduction:

Soil classification system groups soils based on its

performance given a particular condition. This
report deals with the understanding and the
application of two varying methods, the USCS and
the ASSHTO Soil Classification, in order to categorize
a soil sample and determine its probable usage with
the aide of the data from experiments 1 and 2. The
soil was classified as well-graded sand (USCS) and
belongs to group A-1-b (AASHTO) which is a good
concrete subgrade.
Objective:
-Soil is classified by geotechnical engineers for
engineering purposes, based on the Unified Soil
Classification System (USCS).
This system is shared by soils that have similar
engineering properties and these properties are:
1.Strength
2.Permeability
3.Compressibility
Defintion and theory:
USCS is allowed to classify the soil based on the
mentioned engineering characteristics (strength,.. )
and to use the information related to the soil
(PL/LL/Gradation) , the soil was classified into basic
types, and each type contains groups, where one
group is symbolized by two letters.
-Gravel :GP,GW,GM,GC
-Sand: SP,SW,SM, SC
- Silts and Clay: ML,MH,CL,CH,OH,OL

*First letter:
G:gravel S:sand M:silt C:clay O:organic
*Second letter:
P:poorly graded W:well graded M:silty C:clayey
L:low permeability H:high permeability
Equipments:
1. USCS Classification can be done by using the
instructions in manual 1 , based on tables and
charts.
2. Use (ASTM D2487)
3. Soil mechanics books
*Procedures:
-We determine if the soil is soft or coarse according
to the percentage of pass through sieve No. 200
(passing>50% → fine, otherwise → coarse)

If its fine (silt and clay): we use the chart below

If its coarse:
1.Passing from seive no4 >50% →sand
2.Otherwise → gravel

*sand (passing from seive no200)

>5%→ clean sand / <12%→ dirty/ (5-12)%→dual

-clean sand:
1.well graded if Cu>6 (SW) 2. poorly graded if
otherwise(SP) .

-dirty sand:
1.silty sand ( under line A) → SM
2. clayey sand (up line A) →SC
-dual:
SW-SM, SW-SC, SP-SM, SP-SC
*Gravel (passing from seive no200):
>5%→ clean gravel / <12%→ dirty/ (5-12)%→dual

-clean gravel:
1.well graded if Cu>4 (GW) 2. poorly graded if
otherwise(GP) .

-dirty gravel:
1.silty gravel ( under line A) → GM
2. clayey gravel (up line A) →GC

-dual:
GW-GM, GW-GC, GP-GM, GP-GC
USCS:
Soil type and soil performance:
1.Low permeability→ML,CL,CH(fine-grained)
2.High permeability→GP,SP (poorly graded)
3.High strength →GW,SW(poorly graded)
4.Low strength→ CM,GP,GW (gravelly).

Causes of the error:

1. Error in the result of the plastic and liquid

limits.
2. Error in the results of the sieve analysis.