Soil Mechanics I

TUTORIAL: CHAPTER 3
Exercise 3.1: Textural Classification
Classify the soils indicated by curves A and D using textural system. Curve A:
Sand = 60-10 = 50%
Silt = 10%
Clay = 0

Curve B:
Sand = 100
Silt =clay=0

Curve C:
Sand = 85-20 = 65%
Silt = 20%
Clay = 0

Curve D:
Sand = 100-45 = 55%
Silt= 45-18 = 27%
Clay= 18%
 Ex. 3.1:Solution
Curve A: Curve A: LOAMY SAND
Sand = 60-10 = 50% Sand = 50 x (100/60) = 83.33%
Silt = 10% Silt =10 x (100/60) = 16.67%
Clay = 0

Curve B: SAND
Sand = 100
Silt =clay=0

Curve C: Curve C: LOAMY SAND

Sand = 85-20 = 65% Sand = 65 x (100/85) = 76.47%
Silt = 20% Silt = 20 x (100/85) = 23.53%
Clay = 0

Curve D: SANDY LOAM

Sand = 100-45 = 55%
Silt= 45-18 = 27%
Clay= 18%
 Exercise: 3.2: USCS
Classify the soils in the previous exercise using USCS if the corresponding Atterberg limits are
provided.
Curve A: SANDY CLAY
Sand = 60-10 = 50%
Silt = 10%
Clay = 0

Curve B: SAND
Sand = 100
Silt =clay=0

Curve C: SILTY SAND

Sand = 85-20 = 65%
Silt = 20%
Clay = 0

Curve D: SILTY SAND

Sand = 100-45 = 55%
Silt= 45-18 = 27%
Clay= 18%
Solution 3.2: USCS Curve A: SANDY CLAY
Sand = 60-10 = 50%
Silt = 10%
Clay = 0

PI = LL – PL = 36 – 22 = 14%
Gravel =100 – 60 = 40%
Sand = 50%

D60 = 6mm, D30 = 0.3mm,

D10 = 0.075mm
Curve A: SANDY CLAY
Sand = 60-10 = 50%
Silt = 10%
Clay = 0

PI = LL – PL = 36 – 22 = 14%

Gravel =100 – 60 = 40%

Sand = 50%

D60 = 6mm, D30 = 0.3mm,

D10 = 0.075mm
Curve A: SANDY CLAY
Sand = 60-10 = 50%
Silt = 10%
Clay = 0
52% < 0.075mm
 Exercise: 3.3: AASHTO
Classify the soils A through D in the previous exercise using AASHTO classification system.

Curve A: SANDY CLAY

Sand = 60-10 = 50%
Silt = 10%
Clay = 0
 No. 10, 2mm = 56%
Curve A: SANDY CLAY
Sand = 60-10 = 50% No. 40, 0.425mm = 42%
Silt = 10%
Clay = 0 No. 200, 0.075mm = 10%

= 0.01(10-15)(14-10)
= -0.2 = 0
Soil A: A-2-6 (0)
 USCS AASHTO

Soil A SP-SM A-2-6 (0)

Soil B SP A-2-6 ( )
Soil C SM A-2-6 ( )
Soil D SM? A-7 ( )