Lab Exercise

Classification of Soil

Submitted by:

Group - 1a
Members:
Arillo, Ellen Rose J.

Atencio, Emie Lyn S.

Caber, Claudine Lubelle C.

Batula, Mark Jhon

Banawis, Jarius Jesus M.

Balois, Mary Ann Mabel

Submitted to:

Engr. Leo M. Sauro Sr.

Textural Classification
This classification method is based on the particle-size limits as described under
the USDA system,

Sand size: 2.0 to 0.05 mm in diameter

Silt size: 0.05 to 0.002 mm in diameter
Clay size: smaller than 0.002 mm in diameter

Data:

From the Data:

Particle-size
distribution
Soil
(%)
Gravel 100% - 94% = 6%
Sand Not applicable
Silt Not applicable
Clay Not applicable
AASHTO Classification System

Data:

Sieve Opening Wt. Total Percent

Size mm, D Retained Weight Finer
g. passing, g P

#10 2mm 20.8 g 341.6 g 94

#20 0.85mm 26.7 g 314.9 g 87
#40 0.425mm 82 g 232.9 g 62
#100 0.15mm 226.6 g 6.3 g 2
#200 0.075mm 3g 3.3 g 1

Pan 3.3 g 0
362.4 g

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

Percent passing the No. 10 sieve - 94

Percent passing the No. 40 sieve - 62
Percent passing the No. 200 sieve - 1

The liquid limit of the minus No. 40 fraction of the soil is 20.87. The soil is non-
plastic. Classify the soil by the AASHTO system.
Solution:

Using the Table,

From no.4 rule for determining the group index (Principles Geotechnical
Engineering 7th by Braja M. Das), the group index of soils belonging to
groups A-1-a, A-1-b, A-2-4, A-2-5, and A-3 is always 0.

Thus, the soil is type A-3(0).

Unified Soil Classification System

Data:

Sieve Opening Wt. Total Percent

Size mm, D Retained Weight Finer
g. passing, g P

#10 2mm 20.8 g 341.6 g 94

#20 0.85mm 26.7 g 314.9 g 87
#40 0.425mm 82 g 232.9 g 62
#100 0.15mm 226.6 g 6.3 g 2
#200 0.075mm 3g 3.3 g 1

Pan 3.3 g 0
362.4 g

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

Percent passing the No. 4 sieve - 100

Percent passing the No. 200 sieve - 1

The liquid limit of the minus No. 40 fraction of the soil is 20.87. The soil is non-
plastic. Classify the soil by the USCS.

Solution:

Sieve No. 200 = 1 (percent Passing)

 Coarse Grained Soil

More than 50% retained on No. 200 sieve

Gravel = 100-100 = 0

Sand = 100-1 = 99
Thus,
% sand > % gravel

Solving for Cu (Uniformity coefficient) and Cc(coefficient of gradation) :

D60 0.4
C u= = =2.424
D10 0.165

D
2 2
( 30) (0.22)
= =0.733
D 60 D10 (0.165)( 0.4)
C c=

Using the Table,

Therefore the soil is SP.