STANDARD FOR SOIL DESCRIPTION

(Based on material from Coffey Geosciences and AS 1726–1993. Used with permission.)

1. INTRODUCTION

This standard system is used in all soil descriptions made for engineering purposes either in the
field or in the laboratory. Variations to or deletions from the system should not be made unless a
specific instruction is given on the extent and conditions of the variations or deletions by the
engineer or geologist in charge of the investigation. In unusual conditions or for special projects,
additional information may be required by the engineer or geologist who will provide guidance in
developing the necessary terminology. Should the application of the soil description be unclear or
unsuitable for the soil type concerned, reference should be made as soon as possible to the project
engineer or geologist.

It is expected that with use of this document, and the assistance of the technical and professional
personnel, it will be possible to expand and extend the scope of the proposed terminology.

1.1 Aims

The standard has been prepared to ensure that:

(a) ALL observable and significant properties of a soil are described;
(b) EVERY description of soil uses the same terms with the same meaning; and
(c) particular properties or groups of properties appear in the same relative position within any
description so that they may be rapidly located by the user of the description.

To this end the terms to be used have been listed in order and defined. The order has been drawn
up:
(a) distinguishing between terms describing the composition, condition, and structure of the soil.
(b) presenting information in a standard order within each of these groups (in (a) above); and
(c) describing first that information which may be obtained from a disturbed soil sample, then the
additional condition and structure properties which may only be observed in an undisturbed
soil, so that classifications of the same material in each state will be identical for the
properties exhibited in common.

1.2 Sources

Australian Standards have been followed where applicable. Other recognised sources have been
used, e.g. the Unified Classification System. A list of references is given in §6.

2. ORDER OF DESCRIPTION

The properties are described in the following order:

2.1 Composition of Soil (applies to disturbed or undisturbed state)

• Classification Symbol (in BLOCK letters);

• Soil Name (in BLOCK letters);

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• Plasticity or Particle Characteristics of Soil;
• Colour of Soil;
• Secondary Soil Components: name, estimated proportion, plasticity or particle characteristics,
colour*; and
• Other Minor Soil Components – name, estimated proportion, plasticity* or particle
characteristics*, colour*.
* Description only rarely necessary or possible.

2.2 Conditions of Soil

• Moisture Condition (may apply to disturbed or undisturbed state); and

• Consistency (applies to undisturbed state only).

2.3 Structure of Soil (applies to undisturbed state only)

• Zoning;
• Defects; and
• Cementing.

2.4 Additional Observations

• Soil Origin, e.g. FILL, ALLUVIUM, COLLUVIUM, SLOPEWASH, RESIDUAL SOIL; and
• Geological and Pedological Notes
• Odour
• Comments on Sample Type and condition, etc.
NOTE: “FILL” or “TOPSOIL” are emphasised by the use of BLOCK letters.

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 Composition of Soil

The composition of soil is described according to the Soil Classification System summarised in the
“Soil Classification Chart” (Page 10).

(a) Symbol – Selected from the Soil Classification Chart;

(b) Name – single or multi-component soils as described below;
(c) Single Component Soils – names of soil components are given in Table 3.1.

Organic and “man made” materials cannot be adequately described using these terms. The
descriptive terms used should be specific, as given in Table 3.2.

(d) Multi-component soils – Soils are generally made up of more than one component. The
proportion by weight of each component is determined.

The typical name of the soil is selected from the Soil Classification Chart. Note the use of
modifying adjectives when a secondary component is present in a proportion greater than
12%. When primary and secondary components are present in almost equal proportions dual
names may be used.

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 Table 3.1 Classification of Soil Components
Name Subdivision Size (mm) AS Sieve 3
Clay and silt 1 < 60 µm 75 µm
Clay size
2 µm
Fine
6 µm
Silt size Medium
20 µm
Coarse 4
60 µm 75 µm
Fine
200 µm 150 µm
Sand Medium
600 µm 600 µm
Coarse
2 mm 2.36 mm
Fine 6 mm 6.7 mm
Gravel 2 Medium
20 mm 19 mm
Coarse
60 mm 63 mm
Cobbles 2 > 200 mm 200 mm
Boulders 2
1. Clay and silt are plastic and non-plastic respectively, they are distinguished by the field and laboratory
procedures described on the “Soil Classification Chart”.
2. These terms apply to rounded or sub-angular stones only. Angular stones are referred to as ROCK
FRAGMENTS.
3. These are the sieve sizes commonly used.
4. This is approximately the limit at which individual particles can be distinguished by eye.

Table 3.2 Descriptions of organic and man made soils.

Likely terms rather than

Fibrous peat
Charcoal
Wood fragments “organic matter”
Roots (> 2 mm diameter)
Root fibres (< 2 mm diameter)
Oil, Bitumen
Brickbats
Concrete rubble “fill”
Fibrous plaster “rubble”
Wood pieces, wood shavings, sawdust “rubbish”
Iron filings, drums, steel bars, steel scrap “garbage”
Bottles, broken glass
Leather
Decomposing fishheads

The root name is based on the presence of more than 50% of either fine grained (silt, clay)
components or coarse grained (sand, gravel) components in the soil. When more than one
component exists in the root name the smaller amount is placed first.

Modifying adjectives from the other component group are placed before the root name.

Examples:
35%, gravel, 45% sand, 20% silt = Silty GRAVELLY SAND;
35% gravel, 25% silt, 40% clay = Gravelly SILTY CLAY;
20% gravel, 25% sand, 55% clay = Gravelly SANDY CLAY;
35% gravel, 20% sand, 45% clay = Clayey SANDY GRAVEL.

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 In visual classifications performed without the benefit of laboratory tests, proportions are
visually estimated. In borderline cases the symbol or name allotted to a soil sample from a
visual classification may not be precise.

The following terms may be used to describe proportions of secondary components.

Approximate
Term Meaning
Proportion
presence just detectable by feel or eye, but soil properties little
with trace of 0% – 5%
or no different to general properties of primary component
presence easily detected by feel or eye, soil properties little
with some 5% – 12%
different to general properties of primary component

(e) Plasticity (clay) and Liquid Limit (silts) – The liquid limit and plasticity index of the soil
fraction passing the 425 µm sieve is determined in accordance with AS 1289.

The soil is described as clay or silt, determined from the “plasticity chart” (Page 10).

The plasticity or liquid limit of the soil (if fine grained) or of the “fines” of a coarse grained
soil is described as low (wL < 35%), medium (35 ≤ wL ≤ 50) or high (wL > 50%).

(f) Particle Characteristics (Coarse soil)

Grading - the size or range of sizes of coarse grains forming the soil is described in mm or by
use of the subdivisions shown in Table 3.1. The spread of sizes represented is described
using one of the following terms:
“Well Graded” good representation of all particle sizes from the largest to the smallest;
“Poorly Graded” one or more intermediate sizes poorly represented;
“Gap Graded” one or more intermediate sizes absent; and
“Uniform” essentially one size.

(g) Particle Shape - equidimensional particles may be described as “rounded”, “sub-rounded”,

“sub-angular”, or “angular” as shown on Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1 Particle Shapes.

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 “Flaky” or “Platy” – essentially two dimensional – third small by comparison. “Elongated” –
essentially one dimensional – other two small by comparison.

(h) Particle Composition and Strength

Composition rock or mineral name
Strength describe according to wet compressive strength as used for classification of
rock cores.

(i) Colour – the colour of a soil is described in the moist condition using simple terms, such as:

Black White Grey

Red Brown Orange
Yellow Green Blue

These may be modified as necessary by “pale” or “dark”. Borderline colours may be described as a
combination of these colours (e.g. red brown).

3.2 Condition of Soil

(a) Moisture Condition – This is described by the appearance and feel of the soil using one of the
following terms:

Dry (D) Looks and feels dry; cohesive soils usually hard, powdery or friable, granular
soils run freely through the hands.
Moist (M) Soil feels cool, darkened in colour; granular soils tend to cohere, cohesive
soils usually weakened by moisture presence but one gets no free water on
hands when remoulding.
Wet (W) Soil feels cool, darkened in colour; granular soils tend to cohere, cohesive
soils usually weakened and free water forms on hands when handling.

Other terms such as saturated, just damp, damp, very moist, just moist, etc. cannot be clearly
defined and are not used.

In addition, the moisture content of cohesive soils is expressed in relation to their liquid or
plastic limits.

(b) Consistency – For fine grained soils and clayey sands the following terms are used to
describe the consistency:

Description Unconfined Compressive Abbreviation

Strength (kPa)*
Very Soft VS < 25
Soft S 25 – 50
Firm F 50 – 100
Stiff St 100 – 200
Very Stiff VSt 200 – 400
Hard H > 400
crumbles or powders when
Friable Fb
scraped by thumbnail
* measured in the field with a pocket penetrometer.

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(c) Density Index – Coarse grained soils are grouped according to their density indices:

Term Abbreviation Density Index

Very Loose VL 0% – 15%
Loose L 15% – 35%
Medium Dense MD 35% – 65%
Dense D 65% – 85%
Very Dense VD 85% – 100%

It is not possible to make an assessment of the density index without some form of test on an
undisturbed or in situ sample. These terms cannot, therefore, be used in classifications unless
other evidence is available.

3.3 Structure of Soil

(a) Zoning – A sample or a series of samples may consist of separate zones of soils differing in
colour, grain size or other properties. The patterns of these zones are described as:
Layers continuous across exposure or sample;
Lenses discontinuous layer with lenticular shape; and
Pockets irregular inclusion.

The thicknesses, orientation and any distinguishing features of the zones should be described.
The boundaries of the zones are described as “sharp regular”, “sharp irregular” and “gradual”.
The thickness of any transition zone is indicated.

(b) Defects

Fissures – any cracks or surfaces along which the soil breaks easily. If fissures are present:

(i) size of the fragments should be given;

(ii) shape of the fragments should be described in terms of texture (“rough”,
“polished”) and/or any coating described.

Other defects may include:

• roots;
• root holes or tubes (hollow);
• tube casts (solid material filling old tube holes); and
• surface cracks.

Defects may be cemented (may be stronger than parent soil).

The approximate dimensions and spacing of defects should be given.

(c) Cementing – Coarse grained soils or defects within soils may be cemented together by
various agencies.

If the cementing agent allows the particle aggregations to be easily fractured by hand when
the soil is saturated it is described as “weak cement” or “binder”.

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 If the cementing agent prevents fracturing by hand of the particle aggregations when saturated
it is described as “strong”. The soil has assumed rock properties which are described
according to their wet compressive strength using the system adopted for classification of
rock cores.

The nature of the cementing agent should be identified if possible from its appearance,
strength, reaction to acid, etc.

3.4 Additional Observations

(a) Geological and Pedological Notes – If the origin of the soil can be deduced this is noted
(especially if FILL). Any odour should be noted.

The mineral make up of the soil and the pedological feature are recorded.

(b) Other Notes – Any other pertinent notes on the environment of the soil or the soil sample are
recorded.

4. EXAMPLES

4.1 Visual Classification

Inspection of a soil sample shows more than half the material is made up of particles which can be
seen by the naked eye, therefore the soil is “coarse grained”.

More than half the coarse (visible) grains are observed to be smaller than 2 mm, therefore the soil is
“SAND”. The group symbol therefore will start with “S”. The sand is rounded to sub-angular.

The soil is estimated to contain about 20% of strong angular gravel particles up to 10 mm in size.
This is more than 12%, therefore the adjective “gravelly” is used.

Approximately 10% of the soil is made up of particles too small to see individually. The particles
bigger than 0.5 mm are roughly separated by eye. The fines are found to have little or no dry
strength, show some dilatancy, and no toughness (see the Soil Classification Chart on Page 10).·
The fines are therefore described as silt, as they represent less than 12% of the soil, the adjective
“with some silt” is used.

Since gravel and sand predominate, the material is poorly graded and the symbol SP is allocated
(S – Sand. P – Poorly Graded).

The colour of the soil is pale brown, although on drying the colour becomes paler: the soil feels
cool and the particles have a slight tendency to stick together. However, no free water can be seen
on the hands after remoulding the samples, which is therefore described as “moist”.

A closer inspection of the samples shows thin bands 1 to 2 mm thick, in which gravel is absent, and
60% to 70% silt present, these are described as layers of sandy silt, they are approximately 10 mm
apart.

The soil is known to have been obtained from a flood plain; this and the layered nature of the soil
beds are to suggest that the soil is possibly of alluvial origin.
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The full description is therefore:

SP. Gravelly SAND with some silt, coarse to fine, rounded to subangular; pale brown; about
20% strong angular gravel particles, 10 mm maximum size; about 10% silt. Moist. 1 to
2 mm layers of sandy silt at intervals of about 10 mm. Possibly alluvial.

4.2 Laboratory Classification

A grading analysis gives the following results.

Sieve Size (mm) 19 13.2 9.5 6.7 4.75 2.36 1.18 0.425 0.300 0.150 0.075
% Passing 100 99 90 65 59 56 53 52
Gravel Sand Silt & Clay

The Atterberg limits of the fraction passing the 425 µm are:

Liquid Limit wL 42%
Plastic Limit wP 22%
Plasticity Index PI 20%

The soil is therefore:

10% Gravel (since 48% is larger than 75 µm sieve size);
38% Sand;
52% Silt or clay (since 52% smaller than 75 µm sieve size).

The soil is therefore a “fine grained soil”.

Plotting the liquid limit and plasticity index on the “plasticity chart” shows the symbol should be
CL and the soil is CLAY.

The liquid limit is in the range 35 to 50, so the clay is of “medium plasticity”. The soil contains
more than 12% sand, and 10% fine gravel, therefore it is “sandy clay” with some fine gravel.

The colour is pale grey and brown, with no particular pattern. The soil looks and feels dry; the
colour darkens on moistening. Pocket penetrometer indicates an unconfined strength of 380 kPa.

The sample contains numerous small root holes. The sample is known from its source to be fill.

A full description is therefore:

CL. Sandy CLAY of medium plasticity, pale grey and brown; sand medium to coarse
grained, some fine gravel. Dry; very stiff. Numerous vertical root holes; FILL.

Note: Pocket penetrometers are often calibrated in kg/cm2.

1 kg/cm2 ≈ 100 kPa

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5. REFERENCES

5.1 Australian Standards

Methods of Testing Soils for Engineering Purposes, AS 1289.

Site Investigation Code, AS 1726–1993.

5.2 British Standards

Testing Soils for Engineering Purposes, BS 1377–1975.

British Code of Practice for Site Investigations, CP 2001–1957.

5.3 American Standards

A.S.T.M. Standards for Testing Soils, especially:

Standard Method of Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes, D 2487–69.
Recommended Practice for Description of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure), D 2488–69.

5.4 Other References

Corps of Engineers U.S. Army (1953). The Unified Soil Classification System, Technical
Memorandum No.3-357, March.
Lambe, T. W. and Whitman, R. V. (1979). Soil Mechanics, S.I. Version, Wiley, New York, 553 pp.
Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority. Data for Description, Identification and Classification
of Soils, SMA. Form No.SS 6146(5/66).
United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (1974). Earth Manual, 2nd
Edition.

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 Soil Classification Chart

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