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14 330SoilClassification PDF
14 330SoilClassification PDF
4.75 to
Sand S 2 to 0.075 2 to 0.05 2 to 0.06
0.075
0.075 0.05 to 0.06 to
Silt M
Fines < to 0.002 0.002 0.002
0.075
Clay C < 0.002 < 0.002 < 0.002
#40 #10
3/8 in
#200
Medium
Medium-Coarse Fine
Gravel
Sand Gravel
Dry Clay Silt
(kaolin)
COMMONLY #4
#6
4.75
3.35
0.187
0.132 Course Sand
(#4 to #10)
USED
#8 2.36 0.0937
#10 2.00 0.0787
#16 1.18 0.0469
STANDARD #20
#30
0.85
0.60
0.0331
0.0234
Medium Sand
(#10 to #40)
SIEVE #40
#50
0.425
0.300
0.0165
0.0117
SIZES #60
#80
0.250
0.180
0.0098
0.0070
Fine Sand
(ASTM E11-09e1) #100 0.150 0.0059
(#40 to #200)
#140 0.106 0.0041
#170 0.088 0.0035
#200 0.075 0.0029
#270 0.053 0.0021 Silt or Clay <#200
HYDROMETER ANALYSIS
(ASTM D442, D1140 & AASHTO T88)
ASTM D152-H
Based on the principle of hydrometer
sedimentation of soil grains
in water
ρs − ρw 2
Stokes Law: v = D
18η
Where:
v = Velocity
ρs = soil particle density
ρw = water density
η = water viscosity
D = Diameter of soil particles Figure 2.5. Das FGE (2005).
Revised 01/2015 Slide 6 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
Cc = Coefficient of Gradation
= Coefficient of Curvature (ASTM D2487)
= (D30)2/(D60xD10)
90 Silica Sand
80 Piedmont Silt
70 Plastic Kaolin
60
50
40
30
20
10 0.075 mm
0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
Grain Size (mm)
Revised 01/2015
Figure 7.2. from FHWA NHI-01-031. Notice Axis Shift! Slide 11 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
Multiple 100
#4 #10 #30 #40 #60 #100 #200
Samples 90
Percent (%) Finer by Weight
80
of 70
“Same 60
50
Soil” 40
from 30
20
one site. 10
0
#4 #10 #30 #40 #60 #100 #200
10 1 0.1 0.01
Particle Diameter (mm)
Revised 01/2015 Slide 12 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
Plasticity Index
(PI) PI = LL - PL
Range of water content over which soil remains plastic.
Revised 01/2015 Figure 2-5. FHWA NHI-06-088. Slide 14 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
Revised 01/2015 LL and PL photographs courtesy Prof. Reddy, UIC. Plastic Limit (PL or wP) Test Slide 15 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
Assemble components & Fill LL Device ~2/3 high Cut groove with tool. Lift LL Device with crank
soil. Mix soil & water. with wet soil. @ constant rate. Count
number of blows to close
Mix soil with more water. Repeat. groove ½ inch.
Assemble components & Roll wet soil to ellipsoidal Roll on PL Device until When soil crumbles when
soil. Mix soil & water. mass with hands. 1/8 inch diameter roll is 1/8 inch diameter is
achieved. achieved, you are at PL.
Take water content.
Run 4 Tests. Average water content for 4 tests = wP = PL
Photographs courtesy of Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory
Revised 01/2015 Testing Manual, Prof. Krishna Reddy, UIC, 2002. Slide 18 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
Gap Graded
Gap Graded
Revised 01/2015
Figure 2. (NAVFAC DM7.01). Slide 26 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
FIG. 1 Flow Chart for Classifying Fine-Grained Soil (50 % or More Passes No. 200 Sieve)
Revised 01/2015 Figure 1. ASTM D2487-11. Slide 28 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
#10 2 94
REQUIRED:
#20 0.85 84
Fines classify as MH
88% Sand
9% Fines
ANSWER: SP-SM
(Poorly Graded
Sand with Silt)
Revised 01/2015 Figure 3. ASTM D2487-11. Slide 33 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
STANDARDS:
AASHTO M145-91 (2003) Standard Specifications for Classification of
Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes.
A1 to A3 A4 to A7
General Notes:
• A-1 materials are well graded, whereas A-3 soils are clean, poorly graded sands.
• A4 & A5 are generally silts, A6 & A7 are generally clays.
Revised 01/2015 Slide 35 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
STEPS:
1. Determine Grain Size Distribution
(AASHTO T-11 & AASHTO T-27)
2. Determine Liquid Limit (AASHTO T-89)
3. Determine Plastic Limit (AASHTO T-90)
4. Classify Soil using Table 2 ASTM 3282
(Left to Right Method, Process of
Elimination)
Revised 01/2015 Slide 36 of 40
14.330 SOIL MECHANICS
Soil Classification
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
OF STATE HIGHWAY AND
TRANSPORTATION
OFFICIALS
(AASHTO)
Group Index (GI):
Empirical Formula used to
evaluate soils in a group
(i.e. subgroup)