TOPIC 3 : Soil classification

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Soil Classification Systems: L
A. Grain-Size Analysis by Grain-Size Distribution Graph
B. M.I.T. Classification System M
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C. AASHTO Classification systems C
D. ASTM Classification System H
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E. Textural Classification by Triangular Chart (USDA N
Method) I
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. F. United Soil Classification System (USCS) S

SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY I COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING I CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Grain-Size Analysis
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General Discussion I
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The grain-size analysis is an attempt to determine the relative
proportions of the different grain sizes that make a given soil mass.
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Information obtained from grain-size analysis can also be used to E
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predict soil-water movement, although permeability test are more H
generally used. Very fine soil particles are easily carried in suspension by A
percolating soil water, and under drainage systems will rapidly fill with N
sediments unless they are properly surrounded by appropriately graded I
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granular materials.
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Common Laboratory Method of Grain Size Analysis
A. Mechanical Method
B. Hydrometer Method

SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY I COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING I CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

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Other Methods: T
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• Microscopic Sizing and Image Analysis C
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• Elutriation Techniques
• Optical (Laser deflection or reflection) 1

• Electrical Impedance Method

SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY I COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING I CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

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TOPIC 3 : Soil classification S
Laboratory Instruction O
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A. Grain Size Analysis – Mechanical Method L
Instruction:
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1. Each group will obtain 500g of oven-dry/air-dry sample. E
2. Place the stack of sieves in a mechanical sieve shaker (if C
available) and sieve for 5 to 10 min. If a mechanical shaker is H
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not available, shake by hand for about 10 min. Alternate the
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mode of shaking so that the grains are being continually moved I
across the sieve screens. C
3. After sieving, obtain the weight of material remaining on each S
sieve. Sum these weights and compare with the total weight
before sieving.

Note: A loss of more than 2% by weight of the residue weight is considered

unsatisfactory.
SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY I COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING I CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
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4. SOIL INDEX the
Compute ANDpercent
CLASSIFICATION
retained on each sieve by dividing E
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the weight retained on each sieve by the original sample T
weight. E
5. Compute the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting C
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with 100 percent and subtracting the percent retained on
each sieve as a cumulative procedure. 1
Example: the quantity of 500 g, 9.7 g passed the no.4 sieve; the percent
retained is 9.7/500 x 100 = 1.9% and the percent passing must be that not
retained, or 100 – 1.9 = 98.1 %.
6. Each individual should make a table and semilogarithmic
plot grain size versus percent finer.
7. Each individual must compute Cu and Cc also.
8. Each individual must discuss the interpretation of the
grain-size distribution curve that has been made.

BS CIVIL ENGINEERING
 Coefficient of Uniformity, Cu S
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Cu = I
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where; = obtained from the curve, 60% smaller than the M

grain size at pointed at the curve. E
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= effective size of soil, from the curve H
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Coefficient of Concavity, Cc I
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Cc =

SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY I COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING I CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

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 USDA Soil Classification
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SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY I COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING I CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

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WE INNOVATE ◦ WE BUILD ◦ WE SERVE

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Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil O
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(unit L
WATER FLOW
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Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil O
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(unit L
WATER FLOW
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WE INNOVATE ◦ WE BUILD ◦ WE SERVE

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Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil O
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(unit L
WATER FLOW
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WE INNOVATE ◦ WE BUILD ◦ WE SERVE

 S
Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil O
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(unit L
WATER FLOW
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WE INNOVATE ◦ WE BUILD ◦ WE SERVE

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Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil O
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(unit L
WATER FLOW
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WE INNOVATE ◦ WE BUILD ◦ WE SERVE

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Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil O
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(unit L
WATER FLOW
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WE INNOVATE ◦ WE BUILD ◦ WE SERVE

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Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil O
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(unit L
WATER FLOW
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WE INNOVATE ◦ WE BUILD ◦ WE SERVE

 S
Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil O
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(unit L
WATER FLOW
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WE INNOVATE ◦ WE BUILD ◦ WE SERVE