Introduction

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service operates a National Cooperative Soil
Survey. The survey provides online access to soil data, maps, and information for more
that ninety-five percent of the nations counties. Although an on-site soils investigation is
often needed, the Web Soil Survey information can be useful when researching the
existing soil conditions on a site.
In this activity you will use the Web Soil Survey to gather information about the soil
conditions on the Keystone Library site.

Equipment
Engineering notebook
Internet access
Pencil
Printer
USCS Soil Classification Chart
Plasticity Chart

Procedure
The following website contains the information necessary to complete the questions
below and to research the properties of soil on your site.
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov (Links to an external site.)Links to an external
site.
Use your engineering notebook to respond to the following questions. Rewrite the
question in your notebook.
1. Start the Web Soil Survey by depressing the START WSS button.
2. Use the navigation bar to Navigate By State and County. Define your site as an
Area of Interest using the AOI button on the Area of Interest (AOI) tab.
3. Choose the Soil Data Explorer tab.
4. Choose the Intro to Soils Research the information to answer the following questions
in your notebook.
What is soil?
Soil is a naturally occurring mixture of mineral and organic ingredients with a definite
form, structure, and composition. The exact composition of soil changes from one location
to another.
What are the four classifications of mineral particles in soil?
 45% Minerals (clay, silt, sand, gravel, stones).
25% Water (the amount varies depending upon precipitation and the
water-holding capacity of the soil).
25% Air (an essential ingredient for living organisms).
5% Organic matter or humus (both living and dead organisms).

What other types of matter can be included in soil?

Water and air occupy the pore spacesthe area between the mineral particles. In these
small spaces, water and air are available for use by plants. These small pore spaces are
essential to the life of soil organisms, to soil productivity, and to plant growth.
The final ingredient of a soil is organic matter. It is comprised of dead plant and animal
material and the billions of living organisms that inhabit the soil.
How is soil formed?
Soils develop as a result of the interactions of climate, living organisms, and landscape
position as they influence parent material decomposition over time. Differences in climate,
parent material, landscape position, and living organisms from one location to another as
well as the amount of time the material has been in place all influence the soil-forming
process.
The five soil-forming factors are:
Parent material,
Climate,
Living organisms,
Landscape position, and
Time.

What is a soil scientist?

A soil scientist studies the upper few meters of the earth's crust in terms of its physical
and chemical properties; distribution, genesis and morphology; and biological
components. A soil scientist needs a strong background in the physical and biological
sciences and mathematics.
What is a soil survey?
One of the main tools available to help land users determine the potentials and
limitations of soils is a soil survey
What type of information does a soil survey provide for construction engineers?
A soil survey generally contains soils data for one county, parish, or other geographic
area, such as a major land resource area.
 5. View the Soil Map (choose the Soil Map tab) and identify the soils that are present on
your site by their classification code. Within your design team, assign each of the soil
types to a team member for research.
6. Choose the Soil Data Explorer tab, then choose the Soils Properties and Qualities
Search the data and record the following information for your soil in your notebook. Do
not change the default values in the navigation bar, but be sure to include information for
All Layers (at the bottom of Advanced Options).
Liquid Limit
Organic Matter
Percent Clay
Percent Sand
Percent Silt
Plasticity Index
7. Fill in the following table to display each soil property for each soil. You will have to
calculate the Plastic Limit. Use the USCS Soil Classification Chart and Plasticity Graph,
to classify each soil using the USCS classification.

Soil Liquid Organic Percent Percent Percent Plasticity Plastic USCS

Classification Limit Matter Clay Sand Silt Index Limit Classification
(percent)
(percent) PL=
LL- PI

Appling 37.5 1.25 49.9 13.1

sandy 34. 15.5
loam, 2 to 6
8 percent
slopes

Cecil 38.7 0.75 14.0

sandy clay 34. 44.8 20.7
loam, 2 to 4
8 percent
slopes,
moderatel
y eroded

Enon 39.0 1.25 16.5

sandy 28. 39.7 32.2
loam, 2 to 0
8 percent
slopes

Helena 35.7 1.25 22.7 17.2

sandy 28. 48.5
loam, 2 to 8
8 percent
slopes
 Iredell 46.7 1.25 20.6
fine sandy 30. 36.8 33.1
loam, 1 to 2
8 percent
slopes

8. Choose the Suitabilities and Limitations for Use tab.

Research the limitations for sanitary facilities on the property.
Specifically, research the limitations (if any) for installation of septic tank
absorption fields. Record your findings in your notebook.
Septic tank absorption fields are areas in
which effluent from a septic tank is distributed into the soil
through subsurface tiles or perforated pipe. Only that part of the
soil between depths of 24 and 60 inches is evaluated. The ratings
are based on the soil properties that affect absorption of the
effluent, construction and maintenance of the system, and public
health
Research the limitation for small commercial buildings. Record
your findings in your notebook.
9. Print out a soils map and create a soils report for your site. The soils report should
include your research, the soil classification of each soil, the recommended soil bearing
capacity for the site, the suitability of the site for a septic system, and the suitability of the
site for development.

Conclusion
1. How will these findings affect the design and construction of your
project on this site?
These findings will determine a few constraints and limitations during the
design process.