SOIL CLASSIFICATION

I. Introduction
Different soils with similar properties may be classified into groups and sub-groups according
to their engineering behavior. Classification systems provide a common language to concisely express
the general characteristics of soils, which are infinitely varied, without detailed descriptions. Most of
the soil classification systems that have been developed for engineering purposes are based on simple
index properties such as particle-size distribution and plasticity. Although several classification systems
are now in use, none is totally definitive of any soil for all possible applications because of the wide
diversity of soil properties.

II. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) textural classification

In this classification system, the soils are named after their principal components. There are a
number of classification systems developed by different organizations. This method is based on the
following limits of particle size.

Sand size: 2.0 to 0.05mm in diameter

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

III. Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

The USCS uses symbols for the particle size groups. These symbols and their representations
are G - gravel, S - sand, M - silt, and C - clay. These are combined symbols expressing gradation
characteristics - W for well graded and P for poorly graded - and plasticity characteristics - H for high
(LL is more than 50) and L for low (LL is less than 50), and a symbol, O, indicating the presence of
organic material. A typical classification of CL means a clay soil with low plasticity, while SP mean a
poorly graded sand.
The original form of this system was proposed by Casagrande in 1942 for use in the airfield
construction works undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. In cooperation
with the U.S Bureau of Reclamation, this system was revised in 1952. At present, it is used widely by
engineers (ASTM Test Designation D-2487). The unified classification system in Table 5.2.

This system classifies soils into two broad categories:

1. Coarse-grained soils that are gravelly and sandy in nature with less than 50% passing through
the No. 200 sieve. The group symbols start with a prefix of G (gravelly soil) and S (sand or sandy
soil)
2. Fine-grained soils are with 50% or ore passing through No.200 sieve. The group symbols start
with prefixes of M (inorganic silt), C (inorganic clay), O (organic silts and clay). The symbol Pt is
used for peat, muck, and other highly organic soils.
For proper classification according to this system, some or all of the following information must be
known:
1. Percent of gravel - that is, the fraction passing the 76.2mm sieve and retained on the No.4 sieve
(4.75mm opening)
2. Percent of sand - that is, the fraction passing the No.4 sieve (4.75mm opening) and retained on
the No.200 sieve (0.075mm opening
3. Percent of silt and clay - that is, the fraction finer than the No.200 sieve (0.075mm opening)
4. Uniformity coefficient (Cu) and the coefficient of gradation (Cc)
5. Liquid limit and plasticity index of the portion of soil passing the No.40 sieve.

The group symbols for coarse-grained gravelly soils are GW, GP, GM, GC, GC-GM, GW-GM, GW-GC, GP-
GM, and GD-GC. Similarly, the group symbols for fine-grained soils are CL, ML, OL, CH, MH, OH, CL-ML,
and Pt.

More recently, ASTM designation D-2487 created an elaborate system to assign group names to soils.
 Fine fraction = percent passing No.200 sieve
 Coarse fraction = percent retained on No.200 sieve
 Gravel fraction = percent retained on the No.4 sieve
 Sand fraction = (percent retained on No.200 sieve) - (percent retained on No.4 sieve)

Flow chat for classification of coarse-grained soils

(<50% passing No.200 sieve)
 Flow chat for classification of organic fine-grained soils
(≥50% passing No.200 sieve)

Particle-Size Distribution Curve (Sieve Analysis)

Sieve analysis consists of shaking the soil sample through set of sieves that have progressively
smaller openings. These sieves are generally 200mm in diameter.
To conduct a sieve analysis, the soil is first oven-dried and then all lumps must be broken into small
particles. The soil is then shaken through a stack of sieves with openings of decreasing size from top to
bottom. A pan is placed below the stack.

A particle-size distribution curve can be used to determine the following four parameters for a given
soil:
a) Effective size, D10
This parameter is the diameter in the curve corresponding to 10% finer. The effective size of a
granular soil is a good measure to estimate the hydraulic conductivity and drainage through soil.

b) Uniformity coefficient, Cu
�60
�� =
�10
Where:
D60 = diameter corresponding to 60% finer
 c) Coefficient of gradation or coefficient of curvature, Cc

(�30 )2
�� =
�60 � �10
Where:
D30 = diameter corresponding to 30% finer

d) Sorting coefficient, So
�75
�� =
�25
where:
D75 = diameter corresponding to 75% finer
D25 = diameter corresponding to 25% finer

The particle-size distribution curve shows not only the range of particle sizes present in the soil, but
also the type of distribution of various-size particles.
 Poorly graded soil - most of the soil grains are the same size
 Well graded soil - particle sizes are distributed over a wide range. A well graded soil has Cu
greater than about 4 for gravels and 6 for sands, and Cc between 1 and 3 for gravels and sands.
 Gap graded soil - characterized by two or more humps in the grading curve.

Different Types of Particle-Size Distribution Curve

IV. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Classification
System
The AASHTO system of soil classification was developed in 1929 as the Public Road Administration
classification system. This classification in present use is given in the table. According to this system, soil is
classified into seven major groups: A-1 through A-7. Soils classified under groups A-1, A-2, and A-3 are granular
materials of which 35% or less of the particle pass through the No. 200 sieve. Soils of which more than 35% pass
through the No. 200 sieve are classified under groups A-4, A-5, A-6 and A-7. These soils are mostly silt and clay-
type materials. This classification system is based on the following criteria:
1. Grain Size
a. Gravel: fraction passing the 75mm (3in) sieve and retained on the No. 10(2mm) sieve.
b. Sand: fraction passing the No.10 (2mm) sieve and retained on the NO. 200 (0.075mm)
sieve.
c. Silt and clay: fraction passing the No. 200 sieve

2. Plasticity: The term silty is applied when the fine fractions of the soil have a plasticity index of 10 or less.
The term clayey is applied when the fine fractions have a plasticity index of 11 or more.

3. If cobbles and boulders (size larger than 75mm) are encountered, they are excluded from the
portion of the soil sample from which classification is made. However, the percentage of such materials is
recorded.

*To classify a soil according to the table, apply the test data from left to right. By process of elimination,the first
group from the left into which the test data fit is the correct classification.
 **To evaluate the quality of a soil as a highway sub-grade material, one must incorporate a
number called “group index” with the groups and sub-groups of the soil.

GI = (F200 − 35) 0.2 + 0.005(LL − 40) + 0.01 F200 − 15 PI − 10

where:
F200 = percentage passing through the No.200 sieve
LL = liquid limit
PI = plasticity index

The first term of equation that is (F200 − 35) 0.2 + 0.005(LL − 40) - is the partial group index
determined from the liquid limit. The second term -that is, 0.01(F200 - 15)(PI - 10)- is the partial group
index determined from the plasticity index.

Following are some rules for determining the group index:

1. If computed value of GI is negative, take it as zero.
2. The group index calculated is rounded off to the nearest whole number(i.e G.I = 3.4 is rounded
off to 3; G.I = 3.5 is rounded off to 4)
3. There is no upper limit for the group index
4. The group index of soil belonging to groups A-1-a, A-1-b, A-2-4, A-2-5, and A-3 is always zero.
5. When calculating the group index for soils that belong to groups A-2-6 and A-2-7, use the partial
group index for PI, or

GI = 0.01 F200 − 15 PI − 10

In general, the quality of performance of a soil as a subgrade material is inversely proportional to the
group index.
 SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. A soil has the following particle-size distribution:

Gravel = 20%
Sand = 10%
Silt = 30%
Clay = 40%
Classify the soil according to USDA textural classification system.
Solution:
%sand
Modified % sand =
100 − %gravel
10
Modified % sand = = ��. �%
100 − 20

%silt
Modified % silt =
100 − %gravel
30
Modified % silt = = ��. �%
100 − 20

%clay
Modified % clay =
100 − %gravel
40
Modified % clay = = ��%
100 − 20

The lines correspond to each percentages intersect on the clay region, thus the soil is CLAY.
2. The table below shows the laboratory results of the sieve analysis of a sample. Plot the grain size
curve of the soil in the attached figure. The soil has a liquid limit of 35% and plasticity index of 26%.
Classify the soil according to a) USCS, b) USDA, and c) AASHTO.

Size (mm) Weight Retained

0.25 18.96
0.149 33.18
0.074 45.03
0.052 54.51
0.02 42.66
0.01 11.85
0.004 4.74
0.001 4.74
Pan 21.33

Solution:

Size (mm) Weight Retained Accumulated Weight Percent Finer

0.25 18.96 18.96 92%
0.149 33.18 52.14 78%
0.074 45.03 97.17 69%
0.052 54.51 151.68 36%
0.02 42.66 194.34 18%
0.01 11.85 206.19 13%
0.004 4.74 210.93 11%
0.001 4.74 215.67 9%
Pan 21.33 237
Total 237.00
a) USCS
Percent passing No.200 sieve (0.074mm) = 59% > 50%
Therefore, the soil is FINE GRAINED

LL = 35% < 50% (ML, CL, or OL)

From the plasticity chart, with LL = 35% and PI = 26%, the soil is CL.
b) USDA
Percent sand (2.0mm to 0.05mm in diameter) = 100 - 33 = 67%
Percent silt (0.05mm to 0.002mm) = 33 - 10 = 23%
Percent clay = 10%

From the chart shown, the soil is SANDY LOAM.

c) AASHTO
Percent passing No.200 sieve (0.074mm) = 59% > 35% (silt clay materials)

The soil cannot be A-4 because its PI = 26%>10%

The soil cannot be A-5 because its LL = 35% < 41%
The soil is A-6.

Solving for GI:

GI = (F200 - 35)[0.2 + 0.005(LL - 40)] + 0.01(F200 - 15)(PI - 10)
GI = (59 - 35)[0.2 + 0.005(35-40)] + 0.01(59 - 15)(26 - 10)
GI = 11.24 = 11

Thus, the soil is A-6(11)

3. The table below shows the laboratory results of the sieve analysis of a sample. Plot the grain size
curve of the soil in the attached figure. Determine the following:
a) Determine the nearest value of the effective size.
b) Determine the nearest value of the coefficient of uniformity.
c) Classify the soil according to the Unified Soil Classification System.

Sieve No. Diameter (mm) Percent Passing (%)

4 4.76 90
8 2.38 64
10 2.00 58
20 0.84 35
40 0.42 22
60 0.25 15
100 0.149 10
200 0.074 4
Solution:
a) Effective Size
The effective size, D10 is the diameter of the particles of which 10% of the soil is finer.
D10 is an important value in regulating flow through soils and can significantly influence the
mechanical behavior of soils.
Based from the table presented, D10 = 0.149mm.

b) Coefficient of uniformly
 �60
�� =
�10
From the grain size curve shown, D60 = 2.2mm

2.2��
�� = = ��. �
0.149��

c) Classification of soil
Percent gravel (retained in #4 sieve) = 100 - 90 = 10%

(�30 )2
�� =
�60 � �10

From the graph, = 0.63mm

(0.63)2
�� = = 1.21 (������� 1& 3)
0.149 �2.2

Since Cu > 6, Cc is between 1&3, the soil is SW (well graded sand)

(refer to the table below)

4. The grain-size curve for soils A and B is shown in the figure. It is required to classify the soils
according to the Unified Soil Classification System.
a) Determine the value of the coefficient of uniformity of soil A.
b) What is the classification of soil A.
c) What is the classification of soil B.
 SIEVE ANALYSIS
Percent Passing
Sieve No. Diameter (mm)
Soil A Soil B
4 4.76 100 90
8 2.38 99 64
10 2.00 98 58
20 0.85 92 35
40 0.425 70 22
60 0.25 46 15
100 0.15 25 10
200 0.074 0 4

Solution:
a) Coefficient of Uniformity of Soil A
D10 = 0.10
D60 = 0.32
D30 = 0.17
�60
�� =
�10

0.32��
�� = = �. �
0.17��

b) Classification of Soil A
Passing on No.200 sieve = 0% (More than 50% retained on No. 200 sieve)
Therefore the soil is a Coarse-Grained Soil.
Passing on No.4 sieve = 100% > 50% (Sands more than 50% of coarse fraction passes No.4 sieve.)

Refer to the attached flow chart.

Coefficient of Curvature
(�30 )2
�� =
�10 � �60

0.172
�� = = 0.903
0.10(0.32)
Cu = 3.2 < 6 & Cc = 0.903 (Not between 1 & 3).

Soil A does not meet both criteria for SW, therefore soil A is SP (poorly graded sand)
c) Classification of Soil B
D10 = 0.15
D30 = 0.66
D60 = 2.1
Uniformity Coefficient
�60
�� =
�10

2.1��
�� = = ��
0.15��

Coefficient of Curvature
(�30 )2
�� =
�10 � �60

0.662
�� = = 1.38
0.15(2.1)

Passing on No.200 sieve = 4% (More than 50% retained on No. 200 sieve)
Therefore the soil is a Coarse-Grained Soil.
Passing on No.4 sieve = 90% > 50% (Sands more than 50% of coarse fraction passes No.4 sieve.)

Cu = 14 > 6 & Cc = 1.38 (Between 1 & 3)

Soil B meet both criteria for SW, therefore soil A is SW (Well graded sand)
Refer to the attached flow chart.