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Soil Mechanics-1
Course Instructor: Dr Saria Bukhary
Retained on sieve #?
Passing sieve #?
Soil Classification Systems
Textural Classification System
• The textural classification, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
is based on the particle-size distribution of the percent of sand, silt, and
clay-size fractions present in a given soil.
• It is based on only the fraction of soil that passes through the No. 10 sieve.
• This classification method is based on the particle-size limits:
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
Soil Classification Systems
Textural
Classification
System
Soil A:
30% sand,
40% silt, and
30% clay-size particles
Textural
Classification
System
soil B has a particle-size
distribution of
20% gravel,
10% sand,
30% silt, and
40% clay
Textural
Classification
System
What is the classification of a
soil sample with 15% sand,
30% silt, and 55% clay?
The liquid limit and plasticity index of the soil are 25 and 20, respectively. Classify the
soil by the AASHTO system.
AASHTO Classification System
3. Determine the AASHTO soil classification for the following soil type
Passing #10 sieve (2.00 mm)= 100%
Passing #40 sieve (0.425 mm)= 100%
Passing #200 sieve (0.075 mm) = 88%
LL (%)= 26
PI (%)= 8
4. Ninety-five percent of a soil passes through the No. 200 sieve and has a liquid
limit of 60 and plasticity index of 20. Classify the soil by the AASHTO system.
Unified Soil Classification System
Widely used by engineers. Originally developed for use in airfield construction but was
later modified for general use (ASTM Test Designation D-2487).