Geotechnical

Engineering Research Laboratory Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

One University Avenue Lecturer
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854 PA105D
Tel: (978) 934‐2621 Fax: (978) 934‐3052
e‐mail: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

14.330 SOIL MECHANICS

Assignment #2: Soil Classification Solution.

PROBLEM #1 (60 Points):

GIVEN:

Table 1. Soil Index Testing Summary.

D422 D4318
Sample Sieve
% Retained LL PL
Number
10 0.1
30 0.7
40 0.9
60 8.3
1 NA NA
100 57.2
120 17.5
200 11.9
Pan 3.1
10 0.0
30 1.2
40 2.0
60 22.7
2 21 15
100 35.2
120 5.7
200 14.6
Pan 18.4
10 0.0
30 0.4
40 1.2
60 19.4
3 54 31
100 47.9
120 6.4
200 14.9
Pan 9.8

REQUIRED:
Determine USCS and AASHTO soil classifications for each soil sample.

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution Page 1 of 10

SOLUTION:
USCS Classification:
Plot grain size distribution for all soils and determine D60, D30, and D10 when necessary
for Soil Samples #1, #2, and #3.

Figure A. Grain Size Distributions and D60, D30, and D10 for Samples #1, #2, and #3.

Calculate Cc and Cu using information in Figure A for Samples #1 and #3 and the
equations shown below. See Table A for summary of Cu and Cc calculations.

D60
Coefficient of Uniformity = Cu =
D10
(D30 )2
Coefficient of Curvature (a.k.a. Gradation) = Cc =
(D60 xD10 )

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Table A. Summary of Cu and Cc calculations.

Parameter Sample #1 Sample #3

D60 (mm) 0.172 0.208
D30 (mm) 0.15 0.147
D10 (mm) 0.106 0.076
Cc 1.62 2.74
Cu 1.23 1.37

Knowing that PI = LL-PL, LL vs. PI was plotted for Samples #2 and #3 on Figure B.

Figure B. Atterberg Limits Test Results Plotted on Casagrande’s Chart.

Since each soil sample has a % Passing a #200 sieve < 50%, use Figure 3 of ASTM
D2487 to classify soil. See Figures C thru E for soil classification using ASTM D2487
Figure 3 for Soil Samples #1 thru 3, respectively.

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 FC = 3%
Cu = 1.23
SP - Poorly
No Graded Sand
Gravel

Figure C. USCS Soil Classification of Sample #1 (using Figure 3 of ASTM D2487).

No
Gravel

FC = 18%
SC-SM- Silty,
Clayey Sand

Figure D. USCS Soil Classification of Sample #2 (using Figure 3 of ASTM D2487).

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution Page 4 of 10

 No
Gravel
FC = 10%
Cu = 1.37 MH SP-SM -
Poorly
Graded Sand
with Silt

Figure E. USCS Soil Classification of Sample #3 (using Figure 3 of ASTM D2487).

AASHTO Classification:
Use Table 2 from ASTM D3282. Determine % Passing #10, #40, and #200 sieves (see
Figure A for grain size distribution plots). See Figure F for soil classification using
ASTM D3282 Table 2 for Samples #1 thru 3.

TABLE 2 Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures

Granular Materials Silt-Clay Materials
General Classification Sample #1passing No. 200 (75 µm))
(35 % or less (More than 35 % passing No. 200 (75 µm))
A-1 A-2 Sample #3 A-7
Group classification A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-7-5,
A-1-a A-1-b A-2-4 A-2-5 A-2-6 A-2-7
A-7-6
Sieve analysis, % passing:
No. 10 (2.00 mm) 50 max ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
No. 40 (425 µm) 30 max 50 max 51 min ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
No. 200 (75 µm) 15 max 25 max 10 max 35 max 35 max 35 max 35 max 36 min 36 min 36 min 36 min
Characteristics of fraction passing
No. 40 (425 µm):
Liquid limit ... ... 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min
Plasticity index 6 max N.P. 10 max 10 max 11 min 11 min 10 max 10 max 11 min 11 minA
Usual types of significant consti- Stone Fragments, Fine Silty or Clayey Gravel and Sand Silty Soils Clayey Soils
tuent materials Gravel and Sand Sand Sample #2
General rating as subgrade Excellent to Good Fair to Poor
A
Plasticity index of A-7-5 subgroup is equal to or less than LL minus 30. Plasticity index of A-7-6 subgroup is greater than LL minus 30 (see Fig. 1).
Reprinted with permission of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Figure F. AASHTO Soil Classification of Sample #1, #2, and #3

(using Table 2 of ASTM D3282).

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Problem #1 Summary:

Soil Classification
Sample
USCS Group Symbol & Name AASHTO

#1 (SP) Poorly Graded Sand A-3

#2 (SC-SM) Silty, Clayey Sand A-2-4

#3 (SP-SM) Poorly Graded Sand with Silt A-2-7

PROBLEM #2 (40 Points):

GIVEN:

Soil #2
Soil #3
Soil #1

Figure 1. Mechanical Sieve and Hydrometer Results for Problem #2.

Table 3. Atterberg Limits (ASTM D4318) for Problem #2.

Soil LL PL
#1 61 31
#2 NA NA
#3 37 10

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REQUIRED:
Classify the soils in accordance with the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and
AASHTO.

USCS Classification:
Calculate % Gravel, % Sand, and % Fines from Figure 1. A summary of these
percentages is provided in Table B.

Table B. Summary of % Gravel, % Sand, and % Fines from Figure 1.

Soil % Gravel % Sand % Fines Soil

1 0 0 100 Fine Grained
2 2 98 0 Coarse Grained
3 0 50 50 Fine Grained

Knowing that PI = LL-PL, PI vs. LL was plotted for Soils #1 and #2 on Figure G.

Figure G. Atterberg Limits Test Results Plotted on Casagrande’s Chart.

Therefore, use Figure 1 from ASTM D2487 for Soils #1 and #3 and Figure 3 from ASTM
D2487 for Soil #2 to classify the soils. See Figures H thru J for soil classification using
ASTM D2487 Figures for Soils #1 thru #3, respectively.

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution Page 7 of 10

 0% Plus #200
CH – Fat Clay

LL = 61

Figure H. USCS Soil Classification of Soil #1 (using Figure 1 of ASTM D2487).

For Soil #2 (Using Figure 3, ASTM D2487):

(D30 )2 D
Cc  ;Cu  60
(D60D10 ) D10

D10 D30 D60

Soil Cc Cu
(mm) (mm) (mm)
#2 0.32 0.58 0.85 1.1 2.7

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 FC = 0% Cu = 2.7, Cc = 1.1
SP – Poorly
Graded Sand
2%
Gravel

Figure J. USCS Soil Classification of Sample #2 (using Figure 3 of ASTM D2487).

CL – Sandy
Lean Clay

50% Plus #200

LL = 39

Figure I. USCS Soil Classification of Soil #3 (using Figure 1 of ASTM D2487).

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AASHTO Classification:
Use Table 2 from ASTM D3282. Determine % Passing #10, #40, and #200 sieves (see
Figure 1 for grain size distribution plots). See Figure K for soil classification using
ASTM D3282 Table 2 for Soils #1 thru 3.

Soil #1

Soil #2
Soil #3

Figure K. AASHTO Soil Classification of Soils #1, #2, and #3 (using Table 2 of ASTM
14.332D3282).
Problem #2 Summary:

Soil Classification
Sample
USCS Group Symbol & Name AASHTO
A-7 (Acceptable)
#1 (CH) Fat Clay
A-7-5
#2 (SP) Poorly Graded Sand A-1-b

#3 (CL) Sandy Lean Clay A-6

EXTRA CREDIT (+5 Points):

Which discipline of civil engineering you would like to work in when you graduate? Write
a paragraph or two why you have selected this discipline. Use Guest Lecture
assignment guidelines.

Self-explanatory.

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution Page 10 of 10