Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr.

Fazal-E-Jalal

SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

1
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

Introduction:
Classifying soils into groups with similar behavior, in terms of simple indices, can provide
geotechnical engineers a general guidance about engineering properties of the soils through
the accumulated experience.

Most soil classifications employ very simple index-type tests to obtain the characteristics of
the soil needed to place it in a given group. Clearly a soil classification loses its value if the
index tests become more complicated than the test to measure directly the fundamental
property needed. The most commonly used characteristics are particle size and plasticity.

Empirical correlations between index properties and fundamental soil behavior have many
large deviations.

The particle size distribution and the Atterberg limits are useful index tests inherently
involves disturbance of the soil, they may not give a good indication of the behavior of the in
situ, undisturbed soil.

Soil Classification:

It is necessary to adopt a formal system of soil description and classification in order to

describe the various materials found in ground investigation. Such a system must be
meaningful and concise in an engineering context, so that engineers will be able to
understand and interpret.
It is important to distinguish between description and classification:

Description of soil is a statement that describes the physical nature and state of the soil. It
can be a description of a sample, or a soil in situ. It is arrived at by using visual examination,
simple tests, observation of site conditions, geological history, etc.

Classification of soil is the separation of soil into classes or groups each having similar
characteristics and potentially similar behavior. A classification for engineering purposes
should be based mainly on mechanical properties: permeability, stiffness, strength. The class
to which a soil belongs can be used in its description.

2
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

The aim of a classification system is to establish a set of conditions which will allow useful
comparisons to be made between different soils. The system must be simple. The relevant
criteria for classifying soils are the size distribution of particles and the plasticity of the soil.
For measuring the distribution of particle sizes in a soil sample, it is necessary to conduct
different particle-size tests.

What is the purpose of soil classification?

a) Method of categorizing w.r.t engineering performance.

b) Language of communication between engineers.
c) Universal terms of nomenclature are used.
d) Data for preliminary design, Doesn’t eliminate the need for detailed soil testing and
investigation.

3
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

4
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

5
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

6
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

7
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

8
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

9
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

10
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

11
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

12
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

13
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

14
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

15
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

16
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

17
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

18
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

19
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

20
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

21
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

22
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

23
Soil Mechaincs Fall-2017 Semester Engr. Fazal-E-Jalal

24