B.S.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

HOMEWORK NO. 2
CE 322 Geotechnical Engineering
2nd Semester 2022-2023

ADELINE P. ASUSANO
BSCE 3-D
09454016037
adelinepapon.asusano@bicol-u.edu.ph

ENGR. ANNA G. BILARO, MSCE

Associate Professor II

CE 322 – Geotechnical Engineering 1 (Soil Mechanics)

 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Problem #1. Classify Soil B and Soil D.

Classify the following soils according to the USDA textural classification system.

Solution:

SOIL B:

Step 1. Calculate the modified percentages of sand, gravel, and silt as follows:

% 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑑 12%
a. Modified % Sand = × 100 = × 100 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟐%
100−% 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙 100−21

% 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑡 35%
b. Modified % Silt =
100−% 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙
× 100 =
100−21
× 100 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟑%

% 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑦 32%
c. Modified % Clay =
100−% 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙
× 100 =
100−21
× 100 = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟓%

Step 2. With the modified composition

calculated, determine the zone into which each
soil falls. The results are as follows:

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝐵 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠
𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑳𝑳𝒀 𝑺𝑰𝑳𝑻𝒀 𝑪𝑳𝑨𝒀

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

SOIL D:

Step 1. Calculate the modified percentages of sand, gravel, and silt as follows:

% 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑑 22%
a. Modified % Sand = × 100 = × 100 = 𝟐𝟓%
100−% 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙 100−12

% 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑡 26%
b. Modified % Silt =
100−% 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙
× 100 =
100−12
× 100 = 𝟐𝟗. 𝟓%

% 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑦 40%
c. Modified % Clay =
100−% 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙
× 100 =
100−12
× 100 = 𝟒𝟓. 𝟓%

Step 2. With the modified composition calculated,

determine the zone into which each soil falls. The
results are as follows:

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝐷 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠
𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑳𝑳𝒀 𝑪𝑳𝑨𝒀

5.2 Classify the following soils by the AASHTO classification system. Give the group
index for each soil.

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Solution:

SOIL C:

Percent passing through the #10 sieve = 42

Percent passing through the #40 sieve = 28
Percent passing through the #200 sieve = 12

Liquid Limit = 18
Plasticity Index = 13

Step 1. Identify the group classification of the soil using AASHTO classification system.

Soil C is under group classification A-2-6

Step 2. Solve for the Group Index.

❖ According to rule #4 for determining the group index, when calculating the group
index for soils that belong to groups A-2-6 and A-2-7, use the partial group index for
PI. Hence,

𝐺𝐼 = 0.01 (𝐹200 − 15)(𝑃𝐼 − 10)

𝐺𝐼 = 0.01 (12 − 15)(13 − 10)

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College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

𝐺𝐼 = −0.09
❖ Rule #1 states that if the general equation yields a negative value for GI, it is taken as
0. Hence,

𝐺𝐼 = −0.09 ≈ 0

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝐶 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 A-2-6 (0)

SOIL D:

Percent passing through the #10 sieve = 92

Percent passing through the #40 sieve = 68
Percent passing through the #200 sieve = 30

Liquid Limit = 42
Plasticity Index = 18

Step 1. Identify the group classification of the soil using AASHTO classification system.

Soil D is under group classification A-2-7

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Step 2. Solve for the Group Index.

❖ Similarly, according to rule #4, partial group index for PI will be used for groups A-
2-7. Hence,

𝐺𝐼 = 0.01 (𝐹200 − 15)(𝑃𝐼 − 10)

𝐺𝐼 = 0.01 (30 − 15)(18 − 10)

𝐺𝐼 = 1.2

❖ Rule #2: The Group Index calculated is rounded off to the nearest whole number.
Hence,

𝐺𝐼 = 1.2 ≈ 1

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝐷 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 A-2-7 (1)

5.4 Classify the following soils by using the Unified soil classification system. Give the
group symbols and the group names.

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Solution:

SOIL #2:
Percent passing #4 sieve = 48
Percent passing #200 sieve = 20
Liquid Limit = 41
Plasticity Index = 22
Coarse fraction = 100 – 20 = 80%
Gravel fraction = 100 – 48 = 52%
Sand fraction = 80 – 52 = 28%

Step 1. Identify the group symbol using the Unified Soil Classification System.

𝑷𝑰 = 𝑳𝑳 − 𝑷𝑰 = 𝟒𝟏 − 𝟐𝟐 = 𝟏𝟗 > 𝟕

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #2′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝐺𝐶.

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Step 2. Identify the group name using the Unified Soil Classification System.

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #2′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝐿𝐴𝑌𝐸𝑌 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸𝐿 𝑊𝐼𝑇𝐻 𝑆𝐴𝑁𝐷

Answer:
Group symbol is GC.
Group name is Clayey Gravel with Sand.

SOIL #4:
Percent passing #4 sieve = 100
Percent passing #200 sieve = 82
Liquid Limit = 30
Plasticity Index = 19
Coarse fraction = 100 – 82 = 18%
Gravel fraction = 100 – 100 = 0%

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Sand fraction = 18 – 0 = 18%

Step 1. Identify the group symbol using the Unified Soil Classification System.

𝑷𝑰 = 𝑳𝑳 − 𝑷𝑰 = 𝟑𝟎 − 𝟏𝟗 = 𝟏𝟏 > 𝟕

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #4′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝐿.

Step 2. Identify the group name using the Unified Soil Classification System.

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #4′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝐿𝐸𝐴𝑁 𝐶𝐿𝐴𝑌 𝑊𝐼𝑇𝐻 𝑆𝐴𝑁𝐷

Answer:
Group symbol is CL.
Group name is 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒅.

SOIL #6:
Percent passing #4 sieve = 87
Percent passing #200 sieve = 26
Liquid Limit = 38
Plasticity Index = 18
Coarse fraction = 100 – 26 = 74%
Gravel fraction = 100 – 87 = 13%
Sand fraction = 74 – 13 = 61%

Step 1. Identify the group symbol using the Unified Soil Classification System.

𝑷𝑰 = 𝑳𝑳 − 𝑷𝑰 = 𝟑𝟖 − 𝟏𝟖 = 𝟐𝟎 > 𝟕

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #6′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑆𝐶.

Step 2. Identify the group name using the Unified Soil Classification System.

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #6′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝐿𝐴𝑌𝐸𝑌 𝑆𝐴𝑁𝐷

Answer:
Group symbol is SC.
Group name is 𝑪𝑳𝑨𝒀𝑬𝒀 𝑺𝑨𝑵𝑫.

SOIL #8:
Percent passing #4 sieve = 99
Percent passing #200 sieve = 57
Liquid Limit = 54

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College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Plasticity Index = 26
Coarse fraction = 100 – 57 = 43%
Gravel fraction = 100 – 99 = 1%
Sand fraction = 43 – 1 = 42%

Step 1. Identify the group symbol using the Unified Soil Classification System.

❖ PI was plotted above “A” line

𝑷𝑰 = 𝟐𝟔

𝑳𝑳 = 𝟓𝟒

𝑷𝑰
= 𝟑𝟖 − 𝟏𝟖
= 𝟐𝟎 > 𝟕

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #8′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝐻.

Step 2. Identify the group name using the Unified Soil Classification System.

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #8′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑆𝐴𝑁𝐷𝑌 𝐹𝐴𝑇 𝐶𝐿𝐴𝑌

Answer:
Group symbol is CH.
Group name is 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒚.

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

SOIL #10:
Percent passing #4 sieve = 100
Percent passing #200 sieve = 2
Liquid Limit = ---
Plasticity Index = NP
𝐶𝑢 = 7.2
𝐶𝑐 = 2.2
Coarse fraction = 100 – 2 = 98%
Gravel fraction = 100 – 100 = 0%
Sand fraction = 98 – 0 = 98%

Step 1. Identify the group symbol using the Unified Soil Classification System.

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #10′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑆𝑊.

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Step 2. Identify the group name using the Unified Soil Classification System.

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #10′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑊𝐸𝐿𝐿 − 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝐷𝐸𝐷 𝑆𝐴𝑁𝐷

Answer:
Group symbol is SW.
Group name is Well-Graded Sand.

SOIL #12:
Percent passing #4 sieve = 90
Percent passing #200 sieve = 8
Liquid Limit = 39
Plasticity Index = 31
𝐶𝑢 = 3.9
𝐶𝑐 = 2.1
Coarse fraction = 100 – 8 = 92%

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 Bicol University
College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
2nd Semester 2022 -2023

Gravel fraction = 100 – 90 = 10%

Sand fraction = 92 – 10 = 82%

Step 1. Identify the group symbol using the Unified Soil Classification System.

❖ PI > 7 was plotted above “A” line

𝑷𝑰 = 𝟑𝟏

𝑳𝑳 = 𝟑𝟗

𝑷𝑰
= 𝟑𝟖 − 𝟏𝟖
= 𝟐𝟎 > 𝟕

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #12′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑆𝑃 − 𝑆𝐶.

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College of Engineering – East Campus
Civil Engineering Department
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Step 2. Identify the group name using the Unified Soil Classification System.

∴ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 #12′𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑃𝑂𝑂𝑅𝐿𝑌 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝐷𝐸𝐷 𝑆𝐴𝑁𝐷 𝑊𝐼𝑇𝐻 𝐶𝐿𝐴𝑌 (𝑂𝑅 𝑆𝐼𝐿𝑇𝑌 𝐶𝐿𝐴𝑌)

Answer:
Group symbol is SP-SC.
Group name is Poorly Graded Sand with Clay (Silty Clay).

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