Section 2.

5
The Unified Soil
Classification System

2.5-1
1.1-1
 Classification Systems for Soils
➢ We now have the tools to classify the soils.
➢ Soil classification is used to determine the suitability of
different soils for various engineering applications
➢ Soil classification is also used to develop correlations
with useful soil properties
➢ There are several soil classification systems proposed by
different agencies or associations
➢ On the whole, the various classification systems are not
too different, but they may have some differences in
nomenclature and level of detail in subdividing the
different soil types, depending on the engineering
application of interest.
➢ In this module, we will consider the Unified Soil
Classification System (USCS).
➢ In USCS, each soil is given a 2 letter classification (e.g.
SW). The following procedure is used: 2.5-2
The Unified Soil Classification System USCS for
Coarse-Grained Soils
➢ For a coarse-grained soil in which more than 50% of the
particles by weight are larger than 75 m:
• Prefix S if > 50% of coarse particles is Sand
• Prefix G if > 50% of coarse particles is Gravel
• Suffix depends on % of fines by weight
❖ if % fines < 5% suffix is either W or P
If prefix is G, then suffix is W if cu > 4 and cc is between 1
and 3, otherwise use P. (See slide 1.5-36 for cu and cc.)
If prefix is S, then suffix is W if cu > 6 and cc is between 1
and 3, otherwise use P.
❖ if % fines > 12% suffix is either M or C
To determine M or C for the fine-grained component, use
the Plasticity Chart on the next slide (Slide 2.5-4)
❖ if 5% < %fines < 12% Dual symbols are used.
See Practice Problem 1 on Slide 2.5-7 2.5-3
The Unified Soil Classification System USCS for
Coarse-Grained Soils
➢ To determine the second letter M or C associated with
the fine-grained component, use the Plasticity Chart
below 60
Comparing soils at equal liquid limit
50 Toughness and dry strength increase
l ine
with increasing plasticity index "
"A
40
Plasticity index

CH
30

20 OH
CL or
10 CL OL
clay-silt ML
or MH

0 ML
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Liquid limit
Plasticity chart
for laboratory classification of fine grained soils

Below A-line use suffix M - Silt

Above A-line use suffix C - Clay 2.5-4
The Unified Soil Classification System USCS for
Fine-Grained Soils
➢ For a fine-grained soil in which more than 50% of the
particles by weight are finer or smaller than 75 m:
• Both letters are determined from the plasticity
chart as shown below:
60
Comparing soils at equal liquid limit
50 Toughness and dry strength increase
l ine
with increasing plasticity index "
"A
40
Plasticity index

CH
30

20 OH
CL or
10 CL OL
or MH
ML
0 ML
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Liquid limit
Plasticity chart
for laboratory classification of fine grained soils
2.5-5
 Useful Table for USCS (identification and description)
Unified soil classification (including identification and description)

Field identification procedures Group Information required for Laboratory classification

(Excluding particles larger than 75mm and basing fractions on symbols Typical names
1 describing soils criteria
estimated weights)

Depending on percentages of fines (fraction smaller than .075mm

D

Bordeline case requiring use of dual symbols

Wide range of grain size and substantial GW Well graded gravels, gravel-
Gravels with Clean gravels

C U = --- 60 Greater than 4

Determine percentages of gravel and sand from grain size curve

Give typical names: indicate ap-
(little or no

amounts of all intermediate particle sand mixtures, little or no proximate percentages of sand D 10
fines)

sizes fines 2
and gravel: maximum size: (D30 )
More than half of coarse

C c = ---------------------
fraction is larger than

Predominantly one size or a range of angularity, surface condition, Between 1 and 3

GP Poorly graded gravels, gravel- D10 x D60

sieve size) coarse grained soils are classified as follows

sizes with some intermediate sizes sand mixtures, little or no and hardness of the coarse
More than half of material is larger than

missing fines grains: local or geological name Not meeting all gradation requirements for GW
2.36mm
Gravels

and other pertinent descriptive

amount of fines)

Use grain size curve in identifying the fractions as given under field identification
Non-plastic fines (for identification GM Silty gravels, poorly information and symbol in
(apreciable

procedures see ML below) graded gravel-sand-silt mixtures parentheses. Atterberg limits below Above "A" line with
fines
The .075mm sieve size is about the smallest particle visible to the naked eye
Coarse grained soils

"A" line or PI less than 4 PI between 4 and 7

.075mm sieve size

Plastic fines (for identification pro- GC Clayey gravels, poorly graded For undisturbed soils add infor- are borderline cases
Atterberg limits above "A" requiring use of dual

GM, GC, SM, SC

cedures see CL below) gravel-sand-clay mixtures mation on stratification, degree

GW, GP, SW, SP

of compactness, cementation, line with PI greater than 7 symbols
Wide range in grain sizes and sub- moisture conditions and drain- D
SW Well graded sands, gravelly
C U =--- 60 Greater than 6
Clean sands
(little or no

stantial amounts of all intermediate age characteristics.

particle sizes sands, little or no fines D 10
fines)
More than half of coarse

(D 30 )2
fraction is smaller than

Example:
Predominantely one size or a range of SP Poorly graded sands, gravelly C c = --------------------- Between 1 and 3
Silty sand, gravelly; about 20% D 10 x D60
sizes with some intermediate sizes missing sands, little or no fines hard angular gravel particles
2.36mm
Sands

12.5mm maximum size; rounded Not meeting all gradation requirements for SW

More than 12%

amount of fines)

Non-plastic fines (for identification pro- SM Silty sands, poorly graded and subangular sand grains
(appreciable

Less than 5%
Sands with

cedures, see ML below) sand-silt mixtures coarse to fine, about 15% non- Atterberg limits below Above "A" line with

5% to 12%
fines

plastic lines with low dry "A" line or PI less than 4 PI between 4 and 7
Plastic fines (for identification pro- SC Clayey sands, poorly graded strength; well compacted and are borderline cases
cedures, see CL below) sand-clay mixtures moist in places; alluvial sand; Atterberg limits above "A" requiring use of dual
(SM) line with PI greater than 7 symbols
Identification procedure on fraction smaller than .425mm
sieve size
Dry strength Dilatency Toughness
More than half of material is smaller than

Silts and clays

crushing (consistency
less than 50

(reaction
liquid limit

character- to shaking) near plastic

istics limit)
Inorganic silts and very fine sands, Give typical name; indicate degree
None to Quick to rock flour, silty or clayey
None ML
Fine grained soils

and character of plasticity,

.075mm sieve size

slight slow fine sands with slight plasticity 60

amount and maximum size of Comparing soils at equal liquid limit
Medium to None to very Inorganic clays of low to medium coarse grains: colour in wet con- 50 Toughness and dry strength increase
high slow
Medium CL,CI plasticity, gravelly clays, sandy dition, odour if any, local or in
e
clays, silty clays, lean clays with increasing plasticity index "l
geological name, and other pert- "A
40

Plasticity index
Slight to Slow Slight Organic silts and organic silt- inent descriptive information, and
medium OL clays of low plasticity symbol in parentheses CH
30 CI
inorganic silts, micaceous or
Silts and clays

Slight to Slow to Slight to For undisturbed soils add infor-

greater than
liquid limit

medium none medium MH dictomaceous fine sandy or mation on structure, stratif- OH

silty soils, elastic silts 20
ication, consistency and undis-
50

High to very Inorganic clays of high or

None High turbed and remoulded states, CL OL
high CH plasticity, fat clays moisture and drainage conditions 10
MH
CL-ML or
ML
Medium to None to very Slight to Organic clays of medium to Example 0
high high medium OH high plasticity Clayey silt, brown: slightly plastic: 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Liquid limit
Readily identified by colour, odour small percentage of fine sand:
Highly organic soils spongy feel and frequently by fibrous Pt Peat and other highly organic soils numerous vertical root holes: firm Plasticity chart
and dry in places; loess; (ML) for laboratory classification of fine grained soils
texture
2.5-6
 Soil Classification Practice Problem 1
The particle size distribution curve for a soil is shown below:
100

80
% Finer

60

40

20

0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Particle size (mm)
The Atterberg limits for this soil are determined to be
LL = 32, PL = 26
Question : Classify this soil according to USCS.
2.5-7