DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL

AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (053) 525-0140 local 1015
Email: dabe@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

ABEn 156- Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

Laboratory Exercise No.6

Determination of Soil Texture

Name: Castañeros, Janmark P. Date Conducted: June 28, 2021

Degree: BSABE – 3 Date Submitted: June 29, 2021

I. Introduction

The proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil determine its texture. It's a somewhat stable
property that affects soil biophysical parameters and is linked to soil fertility and quality
throughout time. Soil texture is linked to soil porosity, which governs water holding
capacity, gaseous diffusion, and water flow, all of which are factors in determining soil
health. Accordingly, atmospheric diffusion and water infiltration induce microbial propagule
survival and supply of moisture and air for microbial development, demonstrating soil
textural diversity.

Compatibility of soil and water is critical in irrigation. The applied irrigation water may have
an unfavorable influence on the chemical and physical qualities of the soil if they are not
compatible. A detailed study of the soil qualities, the topography of the land in the field, and
the quality of water to be used for irrigation is required to determine the suitability of land
for irrigation. Irrigators can manage their crops, soil irrigation systems, and water supplies
more efficiently if they have a basic grasp of soil/water/plant interactions. Soil texture
classes may be modified if greater than 15 percent of the particles are organic (for
example, mucky silt loam). Soil particles greater than 2 mm are not used to determine soil
texture. However, when they make up greater than 15 percent of the soil volume, the
textural class is modified (for example, gravelly sand).

The texture of a mineral soil is determined by separating and weighing the amount of sand,
silt, and clay in a sample. If a 100-pound sample of soil was screened and found to contain
45 pounds of sand, 35 pounds of silt, and 20 pounds of clay, the soil would be 45 percent
sand, 35 percent silt, and 20 percent clay.

II. Objectives

1. To determine the soil textures of the given soil samples;

2. To determine the suitability of each of the soil samples as filling
material for earth embankment or dam based on minimum seepage criteria; and
3. To determine which soil sample location is the best source of
earth embankment or dam filling materials.

III. Materials and Data

1. Soil sample data on percentages of sand, silt and clay; and

2. USDA soil texture diagram.
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (053) 525-0140 local 1015
Email: dabe@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

IV. Procedure

1. Read/view selected instructional materials listed under references

below to have more knowledge on how to determine soil texture.
2. Plot straight lines corresponding to the percentages of sand, silt
and clay of each soil sample in the USDA soil texture diagram. The
percentages of sand, silt and clay or the samples are found in the
table below.
3. Determine the soil texture name of each of the soil samples. The
soil texture name is found at the intersection of the 3 lines. Place
your answers in the table below.
4. Determine the suitability of each of the soil samples as filling material
for earth embankment or dam based on minimum seepage criteria.
The soil texture that has the lowest seepage is clay.
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (053) 525-0140 local 1015
Email: dabe@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

V. Answer Spaces

Soil Samples

Is it good as earth
Trial % % %
Location Soil dam filling
Number San Clay Silt Texture
d material?
Yes/
No
1 Brgy. A 30 35 35 Clay Loam Yes
2 Brgy. A 40 15 45 Loa No
m
3 Brgy. A 25 30 45 Clay Loam Yes
Barangay Dominant Soil Texture Clay Loam Yes
1 Brgy. B 20 60 20 Clay Yes
2 Brgy. B 30 65 5 Clay Yes
3 Brgy. B 15 65 20 Clay Yes
Barangay Dominant Soil Texture Clay Yes
1 Brgy. C 60 15 25 Sandy Loam No
2 Brgy. C 70 10 20 Sandy Loam No
3 Brgy. C 80 15 5 Sandy Loam No
Barangay Dominant Soil Texture Sandy Loam No

- Soil is composed of a variety of mineral particles ranging in size from coarse (gravel) to
very fine (clay), with sand and silt in the middle. The structural strength and permeability
of any earth wall will be determined by how well these fit and pack together. The result in
the table above demonstrates that the quantity of clay and silt may be roughly estimated
by working and best soil for dam construction. Permeability, strength, compaction
characteristics, drainage, shrink-swell potential, grain size, plasticity, and response are
all essential qualities of soils in engineering.

- Depth to the water table, bedrock depth, and soil slopes are also essential. These
features affect the construction and maintenance of highways, airports, pipelines, minor
building foundations, irrigation systems, ponds and small dams, and sewage and refuse
disposal systems to varying degrees and combinations.

VI. References

 Emerson W.W. (1977) Physical Properties and Structure in Russell J S & Greacen EL
(Eds) Soil Factors in crop production in a semi arid environment, University of
Queensland Press.

 Charman P & Murphy B. (1991) Soils: their properties and management. Soil
Conservation Service & Sydney University Press. (see Chapter 20)