Soil Classification
Classification systems and taxonomic
conventions allow us to describe a thing
or phenomenon in a way that can be
understood by those in remote locations
and without direct experience of the
subject.
The nature and properties of soils can
vary widely from one location to the
next, even within distances of a few
meters.
These same soil properties can also be found to
exhibit similar characteristics over broad regional
areas of like climate and vegetation.
The soil forming factors of parent material, climate,
vegetation, topography, and time tend to produce a
soil that describes the environment in which it is
formed.
By surveying properties of soil colour, texture, and
structure; thickness of horizons; parent materials;
drainage characteristics; and landscape position, soil
scientists have mapped and classified nearly the
entire contiguous rest of the world.
Soil texture is a qualitative classification tool
used in both the field and laboratory to
determine classes for agricultural soils based
on their physical texture.
The classes are distinguished in the field by
the "textural feel" which can be further
clarified by separating the relative proportions
of sand, silt and clay using grading sieves:
The systems are mutually compatible as shown
in the combined soil textural triangle below.
Soil textures are classified by the fractions of
each soil separate (sand, silt, and clay) present
in a soil.
Classifications are typically named for the
primary constituent particle size or a
combination of the most abundant particles
sizes, e.g. "sandy clay" or "silty clay".
A fourth term, loam, is used to describe a
roughly equal concentration of sand, silt, and
clay, and lends to the naming of even more
classifications, e.g. "clay loam" or "silt loam".
If gravel is present in the soil, modify the percentages of
sand, silt, and clay with the following equations:
1. Given soil having the particle size distribution
as follows: 8% sand, 20% gravel, 48% silt and
24% clay. Use the given figure shown:
a. Compute the percentage of sand using USDA
method.
b. Compute the percentage of silt using USDA
method.
c. Compute the percentage of clay using USDA
method.
d. Classify the type of soil using USDA method.
a. Percent of Sand= 10%
b. Percent of Silt = 60%
c. Percent of Clay = 30%
Silty Clay Loam
1. Classify the following by using the U.S
Department of Agriculture textural
classification system. The soil has the
particle size distribution of 20% gravel,
16% sand, 24% silt and 40% clay.
a. Compute the percentage of sand.
b. Compute the percentage of silt.
c. Compute the percentage of clay.
d. Classify the type of soil.
A.20
B. 30
C. 50
[Link]
3.2 AASHTO Soil Classification
Reference :- AASHTO M-145
The AASHTO Soil Classification System was
developed by the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials, and is used as
a guide for the classification of soils and soil-
aggregate mixtures for highway construction
purposes. The classification system was first
developed by Hogentogler and Terzaghi in 1929,but
has been revised several times since.
By:- Behayilu Kebede
AASHTO Soil Classification System (from AASHTO M 145 or ASTM D3282)
General Granular Materials (35% or less passing the Silt-Clay Materials (>35% passing
Classif. 0.075 mm sieve) the 0.075 mm sieve)
A-7
A-1 A-2
Group
A-4
A-5
A-6
Classificati A-3
A-1-a
A-1-b
A-2-4
A-2-5
A-2-6
A-2-7
A-7-6
A-7-5
on
2.00 mm
50 max … … … … … … … … … …
(No. 10)
0.425 (No.
30 max 50 max 51 min … … … … … … … …
40)
10 max
0.075 (No.
15 max 25 max 35 max 35 max 35 max 35 max 36 min 36 min 36 min 36 min
200)
LL … … 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min
PI 6 max N.P. 10 max 10 max 11 min 11 min 10 max 10 max 11 min 11 min1
stone fragments, gravel silty or clayey gravel and sand silty soils clayey soils
fine sand
and sand
excellent to good fair to poor
3.3 Unified Soil Classification(USC)
Reference :- ASTM D-2487
The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) is a soil
classification system used in engineering and geology to describe
the texture and grain size of a soil. The classification system can be
applied to most for Structure, Dam, Irrigation, Railway materials,
and is represented by a two-letter symbol. Each letter is described
below (with the exception of Pt):
Letter Definition Letter Definition
G Gravel Poorly graded (uniform
P
particle sizes)
S Sand
Well-graded (diversified
M Silt W
particle sizes)
C Clay H High plasticity
O Organic L Low plasticity