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Unified Soil Classification Flowchart For Coarse-Grained Soil

1. The soils were classified according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) using particle size distribution curves and Atterberg limit tests. 2. Soil A was classified as an inorganic silt (ML) and Soil B as silty sand (SM). 3. Based on a comparison of their plasticity characteristics and ratings in Table 2.7, Soil B was determined to be the better material for the core of a rolled earth dam.

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Fraol Tesfalem
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631 views7 pages

Unified Soil Classification Flowchart For Coarse-Grained Soil

1. The soils were classified according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) using particle size distribution curves and Atterberg limit tests. 2. Soil A was classified as an inorganic silt (ML) and Soil B as silty sand (SM). 3. Based on a comparison of their plasticity characteristics and ratings in Table 2.7, Soil B was determined to be the better material for the core of a rolled earth dam.

Uploaded by

Fraol Tesfalem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1

Are 50% of particles > 0.75 mm


Yes No
Soil is coarse-grained Soil is fine-grained
Proceed to flowchart of Fig. 2.15b
Is gravel fraction > sand fraction?
Yes No
Soil is gravel Soil is Sand
First letter is G First letter is S

Is clay + silt fraction


> 12%? < 5%? Between 5% and 12 %?
Yes
Yes Yes
Is clay fraction > silt fraction?
Is clay fraction > silt fraction?
Yes No
Yes No
If first letter is G, UC If first letter is G, UC
Plastic clayey fines Non-plastic silty fines 
4 and 1 CC  3   1 CC
4 and  3
Second letter is C Second letter is M Classification is: GW-GC Classification is: GW-GM
Otherwise, Otherwise,
If first letter is G, UC  4 and 1  CC  3, Classification is: GP-GC Classification is: GP-GM
second letter is W, otherwise second letter is P
If first letter is S, If first letter is G, UC
If first letter is S, UC  6 and 1 CC  3, UC  6 and 1 CC  3 4 and 1 CC  3
second letter is W, otherwise second letter is P Classification is: SW-SC Classification is: GW-GM
Otherwise, Otherwise,
Classification is: SP-SC Classification is: GP-GM

Unified soil classification flowchart for coarse-grained soil.


2
Are 50% of particles < 0.75 mm
Yes No
Soil is fine-grained Soil is coarse-grained
Proceed to flowchart of Fig. 2.15a
wLL (oven - dried)
Is  0.75% ?
wLL (not dried)
Yes No
Soil is organic Is clay fraction > silt fraction?
First letter is O
Yes No
Soil is clay First Soil is silt First
letter is C letter is M

Is liquid limit > 50%?


Yes No
Plasticity is high Plasticity is low
Second letter is H Second letter is L
Soil is fat clay or Soil is lean clay or
elastic silt silt

Unified soil classification flowchart for fine-grained soil.


3
EXAMPLE 2.8
Atterberg Limit Test Result

Soil wLL wPL


A 26 18
B Non plastic
Particle Size distribution
curve:
4
Required
:a) Classify soils according to USCS.
b) Classify soils according to USCS.
c) Which of the two soils is a better
material for the core of a rolled earth
dam.
SOLUTION 2.8
Step 1:
Determine the percentage of each soil type
from the particle size distribution curve.
Clay
5
Silt Sand Gravel

Constituent Soil A Soil


B
Percent of particle greater than 0.075 mm 14 81
Gravel fraction (%) 0 15
Sand fraction (%) 14 66
Silt fraction (%) 57 19
Clay fraction (%) 29 0
6
Step 2
Use the flow chart
Following the flow chart, soil A is ML
and soil B is SM.

Step 3
Plot the Atterberg limit on the plasticit
y chart.
Soil A: IP = 26 – 18 = 8%
The point (26,8) falls above the A-line,
the soil is inorganic.
Soil B: Non-plastic, inorganic.
7
Step 4
Use Table 2.7 to make the preliminary
assessment.
Soil B with a rating of 5 is better than
soil A with a rating of 6.

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