Soil Mechanics
By
Zzigwa Marvin
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2.0 SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Soil classification is the placing of a soil sample in a particular group of
similar characteristics.
Classification of soils gives a consistent and an internationally recognized description of soil.
The soils range from very coarse to very fine particles in the fields. Gravel, sands and peats are easily
recognized but when it comes to the fine soils it may not be that easy.
A soil may be classified by
(i) Geology origin
(ii) Mineral content
(iii) Particle size distribution
(iv) Plasticity
Soil classification indicates the type and conditions of the soil, and provide a relationship to structural
properties such as strength, compressibility, permeability, swelling potential, etc
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2.1 Particle Size Distribution
The precise boundaries between different soil types are somewhat arbitrary, but the following
scale is now in use worldwide.
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2.1 Particle Size Distribution…..
a. Coarse grained materials – Sieve analysis
The method allows for the separation of coarse grained soil particles.
✓ It is based on the determination of the particles size distribution by shaking a dried sample of soil through a set of
sieves and recording the weight retained on each sieve.
The smallest size used is usually that of 0.075 mm (75 𝜇m) sieve size. Sieving can be performed either wet or dry.
Because of the tendency for fine particles to clump together, wet sieving is often required with fine-grained soils.
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2.1 Particle Size Distribution…..
Coarse grained materials – Sieve analysis…..
Aperture size Weight Percentage Cumulative Percentage
B.S. sieve ( mm)
(used) retained (g) retained (%) Retained (%) Passing (%)
75 75.00 0.0 0.0 0.00 100
50 50.00 0.0 0.0 0.00 100
37.5 37.50 0.0 0.0 0.00 100
28 28.00 0.0 0.0 0.00 100
20 20.00 50.0 3.3 3.33 97
14 14.00 125.0 8.3 11.67 88
10 10.00 230.0 15.3 27.00 73
5 5.00 150.0 10.0 37.00 63
2 2.000 100.0 6.7 43.67 56
1.18 1.180 120.0 8.0 51.67 48
0.425 0.425 90.0 6.0 57.67 42
0.300 0.300 50.0 3.3 61.00 39
0.075 0.075 250.0 16.7 77.67 22
Mass passing 0.075mm sieve
Total mass of the Sample sieved ( g) 1500.0 5
2.1 Particle Size Distribution…..
Coarse grained materials – Sieve analysis….. Grading Chart
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2.1 Particle Size Distribution…..
b. Fine grained materials – Hydrometer method
To determine the grain size distribution of material passing the 75𝜇m sieve the hydrometer method is commonly
used.
The soil is mixed with water and a dispersing agent, stirred vigorously, and allowed to settle to the bottom of a
measuring cylinder.
As the soil particles settle out of suspension the specific gravity of the mixture reduces. A hydrometer is used to
record the variation of specific gravity with time.
Watch the video for further clarity
Engineering properties of fined grained soils are studied using Atterberg limits
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2.1 Particle Size Distribution…..
c. Grading Curves
The shape of the curve gives guidance
as to how the coarse soil can be
classified and can give one
an insight into the soils engineering
properties.
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2.1 Particle Size Distribution…..
c. Grading Curves
Material A
The range is between cobles and fine gravel with a little course sand. The material is very coarse. It can be said to be
a well graded material (W) within the cobble/gravel range
Material B
This can be said to be poorly graded (P), since the curve is steep. It would also appear to be very coarse sand with
some finer material.
Material C
This is a well (W) graded material due to the long range of its curve and uniform slope
Material D
This is referred to as a gap graded (also poorly graded) material since it lacks some sizes between
the big and small sizes.
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2.1 Particle Size Distribution…..
c. Grading Curves- Numerical description of soil materials
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2.2 Consistency limit Tests / Atterberg limit tests (Plasticity)
The variation in moisture content in cohesive
soils (silts and clays) produces significant
changes because as clay dries, it tends to
become stronger and less compressible.
The variation of a soil with its moisture content
is plotted as shown.
From the particle size analysis, little is disclosed
about the engineering properties of the very fine
particles in which the clay minerals
predominate.
A better indication of their properties is shown
by the atterberg tests which are carried out on
such soils to determine the effect of the
strength of a soil as the water within it varies.
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2.2 Consistency limit Tests / Atterberg limit tests (Plasticity)
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2.2 Consistency limit Tests / Atterberg limit tests (Plasticity)
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2.2 Consistency limit Tests / Atterberg limit tests (Plasticity)
Determination of Liquid Limit-1) Casagrande Apparatus
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2.2 Consistency limit Tests / Atterberg limit tests (Plasticity)
Determination of Liquid Limit-2) Cone Penetrometer Appratus
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2.3 Soil Classification systems
A number of classification systems exist to describe various soil types in nature. A classification system is required
to meet the following requirements
(i) Based on a scientific method,
(ii) Simple,
(iii) Permit classification by visual and manual tests and
(iv) Should be acceptable to all engineers
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.1American Association of state Highway transportation Official system (AASHTO)
The AASHTO soil classification system is used to determine the suitability of soils for earthworks, embankments,
and road bed materials (subgrade—natural material below a constructed pavement; subbase—a layer of soil
above the subgrade; and base—a layer of soil above the subbase that offers high stability to distribute wheel
loads).
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.1American Association of state Highway transportation Official system (AASHTO)……..
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.1American Association of state Highway transportation Official system (AASHTO)……..
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.1American Association of state Highway transportation Official system (AASHTO)……..Example
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.1American Association of state Highway transportation Official system (AASHTO)……..Example….
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.2Cassagrande’s Extended System
In this method a soil type is defined by two letters, a prefix defining the predominant particle size and a suffix
related to the engineering properties.
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.3 Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
Developed in the USA, the system is based on the casagrandes’s original system and is very similar to it. In this
system prefix letters are adopted as follows
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.3 Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)…………….
Note
If % fines (% passing the 75µm) sieve is - < 5%, use W or P as suffix
- > 12% use M or C as suffix
- between 5% and 12% use dual symbols. Use the prefix from above with first
one of W or P and then with one of M or C. (e.g. GW-GM)
Also Soils having PI above the A line and 4<PI<7 are given a dual classification (e.g. GC-GM, CL- ML)
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.3 Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)……………. Example
Classification tests have been performed on a soil sample and the following grading curve and Atterberg limits
obtained. Determine the USCS classification.
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2.3 Soil Classification systems….
2.3.3 Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)……………. Example…..
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2.4 Assignment IV
T.M.A consults were contracted to carry out site investigations for sourcing for materials for the New Jinja-
Kampala Motorway. Soil samples were picked for different soil test. One of the required analysis to be carried
out on any material is the soil classification . The results of sieve analysis on 120g of the soil were as follows:
Handed in on 21th of
November 2020
Marked out 5 marks
Using
a) Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), discuss the engineering behavior of this soil.
b) AASTHO, discuss the engineering behavior of this soil.
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