Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.

Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)

UNIT-03
CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS
Purpose of Soil Classification
The purpose of soil classification is to arrange various types of soils into specific groups based on physical properties and
engineering behaviour of soils with the objective of finding the suitability of soils for different engineering applications, such as in
the construction of earth dams, highways, and foundations of buildings, etc.
For different areas of applications and with the need for simplicity and acceptable terminology, several soil classification systems
have developed over the years, three of which are listed below. Page |
1. Highway Research Board classification system 1
2. Unified Soil classification system
3. Indian Standard soil classification system
Particle Size Classification Systems
On three systems, soils are arranged according to particle size ranges only, without consideration of other characteristics.
Three such systems, which have been widely used, are
¾ U.S Bureau of soil and Public Roads Administration (PRA) classification system.
¾ M.I.T classification system (proposed by Prof.Gilboy of Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
¾ Indian Standard particle size classification system (based on M.I.T system)
0.005mm 0.05mm 0.10mm 0.25mm 0.75mm 1.0mm 2.0mm
Clay (size) Silt (size) Very fine Fine Medium Coarse Fine Gravel
Gravel
Sand
(a) U.S.Bureau of Soil and PRA classification system
0.002mm 0.006 0.02 0.06 0.2 0.6 2.0mm
Clay (size) F M C F M C Gravel
Silt (size) Sand
(b) M.I.T.Classification System
0.002mm 0.075 0.425 2.00 4.75 20 80 300mm
Clay(size) Silt(sizes) F M C F C

Sand Gravel Cobble Boulder

(c) Indian Standard Classification (IS: 1498-1970)
Fig 3.1 Particle size classification charts
Silt and clays should be distinguished, based on plasticity characteristics. But in these charts they are being distinguished,
based only on particle size, without consideration of plasticity characteristics and to emphasize this, term ‘size’, is written along
with ‘clay’ and ‘silt’.
The textural classification chart of U.S.Public Roads Administration has been developed to classify composite soils. Based on
particle sizes, the soil components are identified as sand (0.05-2mm), silt (0.005-0.05mm), and clay (<0.005mm). Knowing the
percentage of sand, silt and clay, lines are drawn as suggested by the key accompanying the triangular chart. The region I which
the point of intersection of the three lines gives the type of soil. It should be noted that the chart ignores soil fraction of size
greater than 2.00mm
The term ‘loam’ used this chart denotes a mixture of sand, silt and clay in varying proportions. It is primarily an agricultural
term and has been adopted by highway engineers who deal with surface soil layers.
0 100

10 90

20 80 A
30 70
Key
40 60

50 50
60 40 Clay (<0.005mm)
Sand (2-0.05mm)
70 30

80 20

90 10

100 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Percent Silt (0.05-0.005mm)
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)
Fig: 3.2 Textural Classification chart (Adopted from U.S.Public Road Administration)
UNIFIED SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM:
The Unified Soil Classification system is based on the airfield Classification system that was developed by A Casgrande. The
system is based on both grain size and Plasticity characteristics of soils. The Unified Soil Classification (USC) system was
adopted jointly by the Corps of Engineers, U.S.Army and U.S.Bureau Reclamation during 1950s.
In this system soils are broadly divided into three divisions:
1. Coarse-grained soils-if more than 50% by weight is retained on No.200ASTM sieve
2. Fine-grained soils-if more than50% by weight passes through No.200ASTM sieve Page |
3. Organics soils 2
The soil components are assigned group symbols as indicated below:
Coarse-grained soils:
Gravel-G Sand-S
Fine-grained soils:
Silt-M Clay-C Organic-O
Table3.1 Unified Soil Classification System
Major Divisions Group Typical Names
Symbols
Gravels 50% or Clean gravels- GW Well-graded gravels and gravel-sand mixtures, little or
Coarser- more of coarse 200fraction <5% no fines
Grained fraction GP Purely graded gravels and gravel sand mixtures, little
Soils More retained on or no fines
than 50% No.4 sieve Gravels with fines- GM Silty gravels, gravel-sand-silt mixture
retained on 200>12% fraction GC Clayey gravels, gravel-sand-clay mixtures
No.200 Sands More Clean sands- SW Well-graded sands and gravelly sands, little or no fines
sieve* than 50% of 200<5% SP Poorly graded sands and gravelly sands, little or no
coarse fraction fines
passes SM Silty sands, sand-clay mixtures
No.4sieve SC Clayey sands, sand-clay mixtures
Fine grained Silts and Clays ML ML Inorganic silts, very fine sands, rock flour, silty or
soils 50% or Liquid limit clayey fine sands
more passes 50% or less CL Inorganic clays of two to medium plasticity, gravelly
No.200sieve clays, sandy clay, silt clays, lean clays inorganic silt
and organic silty clays of low plasticity
MH Inorganic silts and silty clays of low permeability
CH Inorganic silts, mecaceous or diatomaceous fine sand
or silts, plasticity
OH Organic clays of medium high to high plasticity
PT Muck and other highly organic soil
*No.200sieve is of aperture size 0.074mm
*No.4 sieve is of aperture size 4.76mm
See the Following Plasticity Chart (Unified Soil Classification)
80 Comparing soils at equal WL
Toughness and dry strength increases
70 Permeability & Volume A-Line
change decrease Toughness
60 and dry strength decrease
Permeability & Vol. change
increase
50 CH Ip=0.73
(WL-
20)
40

30 CL MH&
OH
20 CL-
ML
10 ML-
OL
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Liquid Limit (%)
Fig.3.3 Plasticity Chart (Unified Soil Classification)
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)
IDIAN STANDARD SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM:
Indian Standard Soil Classification System (IS1498-1970) Classification and identification of soils for general engineering
purpose) is essentially based on Unified Soil Classification system and salient features are given in the following discussion.
In this system soils are broadly divided three divisions:
1. Coarse-grained soils-if more than 50percent by means is retained on 75 micron IS sieve.
2. Fine rained soils- if more than 50 percent by marks passes through 75 micron IS sieves.
3. Highly organic soils and other miscellaneous soil materials: These soils contain large percentages of fibrous organic matter,
such as peat and particles of decomposed vegetation. In addition, certain soils containing shells, concretions, cinders and other Page |
non oil materials in sufficient quantities arte also grouped in this division. 3
Course – grained soils are grouped as gravels and sands with group symbols G and S respectively.
Gravels G) if more than 50 percent by mass of the coarse grained fraction (+75micron) is retained on 4.75 mm IS sieve.
Sands (S) if more than 50 percent by mass of the coarse grained fraction posses through 4.75mm IS sieve.
Depending on gradation Gravels (G) and Sands (S) are further described using groups symbols as indicated below.
GW-Well Gravels for which Cu> and Cc lies between 1 and 3
GP-Poorly graded for which Cu>6 and Cc lies between 1 and 3
SW-Well graded sand for which Cu>6 and Cc lies between 1 and 3
SP-Poorly graded sand which does not meet all gradation requirements of SW
GM-Silty gravel if Ip<4 for fine grained fraction
GC-Clayey gravel if Ip>7 for fine-grained fraction
SM-Silty sand if Ip<4 for fine grained fraction
SC-Clayey sand if Ip>7 for fine-grained fraction
In the case of coarse-grained soils mixed with fines if Ip lies between 4 and 7 one has to use proper judgment in dealing with
this boarder line case. Generally non-plastic classification is favoured in such cases. For example a sand with 10% fines with
Cu>6, Cc between 1 and 3 and Ip=6 would be classified as SW-SM rather than SW-SC.
Fine-grained soils are grouped under following three subdivisions with respective group symbols:
Inorganic silts and very fine sands M)
Inorganic clays (C)
Organic silts, Organic clays and Organic matter O)
Depending on liquid limit which is considered a good index of compressibility fine grained soils are discussed as possessing
i) low compressibility (L) when liquid limit is less than 35% (ii) intermediate or medium compressibility (I) when liquid limit lies
between 35% and 50% (iii) high compressibility (H) when liquid limit is greater than 50%.
The plasticity chart originally devised by A.Casagrande’s and slightly modified by IS is used to classify fine-grained
soils in the laboratory.
The A-Line having the equation:
Ip=0.73(WL-20)
And the two lines at WL=35 and WL=50 divide the chart into six regions with group symbols marked as shown in fig.3.4 by
slight. If no organic odour is sent then only it should be classified as inorganic silt. In case of doubt, the soil should be oven-dried
and its liquid limit determined again. In the case of organic soils there will be large reduction in liquid limit on drying(reduction
generally>25%).
Table 3.4 Basic Soil Components:[IS Classification, IS: 1498-1970]
Soil Soil Symbol Particle size range and description
Components
Boulder None Round to angular, bulky hard, rock particle, average diameter more than 300mm
Cobble None Round to angular. Bulky hard, rock particle, passing 80mm sieve but retained on 4.75mm sieve
Coarse: 80mm to 20mm sieve
Coarse-Grained Components

Fine: 20mm to 4.75mm sieve

Gravel G Rounded to angular bulky hard, rocky particle, passing 80mm sieve but retained on 4.75mm
sieve
Coarse:8omm to 20mm
Fine: 20mm to 4.75mm sieve
Sand S Rounded to angular bulky hard, rocky particle, passing 4.75mm sieve retained on 75micron
sieve
Coarse: 4.75mm to 2.0mm sieve
Medium 2.0mm to 425micron sieve
Fine: 425micron to 75micron sieve
Silt M Particles smaller than 75micron sieve identified by behavior; that is slightly plastic or non-
plastic regardless of moisture and exhibits little or no strength when air dried
Clay C Particles smaller than 75micron sieve identified by behavior, that is, it can be made to exhibit
Fine-grained
Components

plastic properties within a certain range of moisture and exhibits considerable strength when
air-dried.
Organic O Organic matter in various sizes and stages of decomposition.
matter
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)
Table 3.5 IS Soil Classification: [IS: 1498-1970, Including Field Identification and Description]
Major Divisions Group Symbol Typical Names Field identification Information required for
procedure(excludin describing soils
g particles larger
than 80mm and
basing fractions on
estimated weights)
1 2 3 4 5 6
Page |
GW Well-graded Wide range in For undisturbed soil 4
Clean gravels(Little or no
gravels, gravel- grain size and stratification, degree of
sand mixtures, substantial amounts compactness, cementation,
little or no fines of all intermediate moisture conditions and
>half of coarse fraction is larger than 4.75mm sieve size

particle sizes drainage characteristics.

GP Poorly graded Predominantly one
gravels or size or a range of
gravel-sand sizes with some
fines)

mixtures, little intermediate sizes

or no fines missing
GM Silt gravels, Non-plastic fines Give typical name, indicate
poorly graded or fines with low appropriate percentages of
Gravels with fines (Appreciable

gravels-sand- plasticity sand, gravel, maximum size,

silt mixtures angularity, surface condition
and hardness of the coarse
grains, local or geological
name and other pertinent
amount of fines)

descriptive information and

symbol in parentheses
GC Clayey gravels, Plastic fines.
Gravels

poorly graded
gravel-sand-silt
mixtures
SW Well graded Wide range in Ex:Silty sand gravelly, about
sieve size(For visual classification, the 5mm size

Clean sands (Little or no

sands, gravelly grain size and 20% hard angular gravels

>half of coarse fraction is smaller than 4.75mm

may be used as equivalent to the 4.75mm sieve

sands, little or substantial amounts 10mm maximum size,

no fines of all intermediate rounded and subangular sand
particle sizes grains, about 15%
SP Poorly graded Predominantly one
sands, or, size or a range of
gravelly sands, sizes with some
fines)

little or sands, intermediate sizes

little or no fines missing
Coarse-Grained Soils

SM Silty sands, Non-plastic fines Non-plastic fines with low

poorly graded or fines with low dry strength, well compacted
Sands with fines

sand-silt plasticity and moist in place, alluvial

mixtures sand,(SM)
(appreciable

SC Clayey sands, Plastic fines

poorly graded
Sands

size)

sand-clay
mixtures
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)
Field identification procedures(on For undisturbed soils, add
fraction smaller than 425μ sieve information, on structure,
size) stratification, consistency in
undisturbed and remoulded
states, moisture and drainage
conditions.
Give typical names, indicate
degree and character of
Page |
plasticity, amount and 5
maximum size of coarse
grains, colour, if any, local or
geologic name and other
pertinent descriptive
information, and symbol in
parenthesis.
Example:
Clayey silt, brown, slightly
plastic, small percentage of
fine sand, numerous vertical
root holes, firm and dry
inplace; loes,(ML)
ML Inorganic silts and very fine Dry strength Dilatancy Toughness
sands, rock flour, silty or clayey
liquid limit is less

None to low Quick None

Fine –grained soils >half of material is smaller than 75 μ sieve analysis

compressibility;

fine sand or clayey silts with

Silts and Clays

none to low plasticity

CL Inorganic clays, gravelly clays, Medium None to very Medium
sandy clays, silty clays, lean slow
With

clays of low plasticity

low

OL Organic silts of low plasticity Low Slow Low

Silts and MI Inorganics silts, silty or clayey Low Quick to slow None
Clays fine sand or clayey silts of
With medium plasticity
medium CI Inorganic clays, gravelly clays, Medium to high None Medium
compressibil sand clays, silt clays, lean clays
ity; liquid of medium plasticity
limit is OI Organic silts and organic silty Low to medium Slow Low
greater than clays of medium plasticity
35% and
less than
50%
Silts and MH Inorganics silts of Low to medium Slow to none Low to medium
Clays highcompressibility, mecaceous
With high or diatomaceous fine sandy or
compressibil silty soils plastic silts
ity: liquid CH Inorganic clays of high High to very high None High
limit is plasticity, fat clays
greater than OH Organic clays of medium to high Medium to high None High
50% plasticity
Pt Peat and highly organic soils Ready identified by colour, odour,
with very high compressibility spongy feel and frequently by fibrous
texture.
Note. Boundary classification.
Soil possessing characteristics of two groups are designated by combination of group symbols.
For example: -GW-GC, well graded gravel sand mixture with clay binder

Table 3.6. IS Classification: Laboratory Classification Criteria for Coarse Grained Soils(IS:1498-1970)

Group Laboratory Classification Criteria

Symbols
GW Cu Greater than 4 Determine percentage of gravel and sand
Cc Between 1 and 3 from grain sizes curve depending on
GP Not meeting all gradation requirements for GW percentage of fines(fraction smaller than
 Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)
GM Ip less than 4 Ip between 4 and No.75 micron sieve size); coarse grained
GC Ip greater than 7 7 are border line soils are classified as follows:
cases requiring Less than 5%: GW,GP,SW,SP
use of dual More than 12%: GM,GC,SM,SC
symbols. 5% to 12%: border line cases requiring
SW Cu greater than 6 use of dual symbols
Cc Between 1 and 3 Cu=D60/D10 (uniformity coefficient)
Page |
SP Not meeting all gradation requirements for SW
SM Ip less than 4 Ip between 4 and
2
Cc=(D30) /(D10*D60) (Coefficient of 6
SC Ip greater than 7 7 are border line curvature)
cases requiring
use of dual
symbols

Eq of A-line Ip=0.73(WL-20) called Casagrande’s A-Line

60

50

WL=50 CH

A-line 40

WL=3
CL 5

30
Plasticity Index

CI

20

MH
MI(OI orOH
)
10

CL=
ML ML(O
L)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Liquid limit(%)
Fig.3.4 Plasticity Chart (IS Soil Classification System)

FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF SOILS:

The field identification of soils is carried out by the following tests:
1. Visual examination;
2. Wet and manipulated strength;
3. Thread test;
4. Dilatancy test; and
5) Dry strength test, 4&6 only for fine grained soils.
These tests are discussed below and the results expected from them for different types of soils given in table.1.
1. Visual examination:
The visual examination of soil is done by naked eye with reference to size,shape (angularity), touch and grading
characteristics of soil grains.
2. Wet and Manipulated Strength Test or Method: To identify the type of soil, take a small quantity of the soil in hand, moist it
if needed, and work it with fingers and feel it. If the soil is clayey, a soapy touch would be felt, if the soil sandy, a feeling of
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)
roughness is experienced; and in case of silty soil, moisture will come out if it is squeezed in between the fingers. Also clay sticks
to the fingers and dries slowly, but silt dries fairly quickly, and can be wiped off the fingers easily.
This method helps to distinguish the major soil characteristics, that is, whether the soil is clayey, sandy or silty.
3. Thread Test or Method:
To identify the type of soil, take a small quantity of soil, moisten it if needed, and roll it in between the palms of the hand or
on a flat smooth surface in to a thread of about 3mm diameter. If crumbling does not occur, fold the thread and rolled as before.
Repeat the process until the moisture content of the soil has been reduced by drying during manipulation, to the plastic limit,
which is indicated by crumbling which occurs as the soil is being rolled. The plastic limit affords the means of identification of the Page |
soil in the manner indicated as Table.1. 7
4. Dilatancy Test or Method:
After removing particles retained on IS:425μ sieves, prepare a pat of moist soil of a size of 2cm cube. Add enough after, if
necessary, to make the soil soft but not sticky. Place the pat in the open palm of one hand and shake horizontally striking
vigoursly against the other hand several times. A positive reaction consists of the appearance of water on the surface of the pat
which changes to a livery consistency and becomes glassy. When the sample is squeezed between the fingers, the water and
finally it cracks or crumbles. The rapidity of appearance of after during shaking and of its disappearance during squeezing assist in
identifying the character of the fines in a soil.. Very fine clean sand give quickest and most distinct reaction, whereas, plastic clay
has no reaction. Inorganic silt such as typical rock flour, shows a moderately quick reaction.
5. Dry Strength test or Method:
After removing particles retained on IS:425μ sieves, mould a pat of soil to the consistency of putty, adding water of
necessary. Allow the pat to dry completely by oven, sun or air-drying, and then test its strength by breaking and crumbling
between the fingers. Strength is a measure of the character and quantity of the colloidal fraction contained in the soil. The dry
strength is characteristic for clays of the CH group. A typical inorganic silt possesses only very slight dry strength. Silty fine sands
and silts have about the same slight dry strength, but can be distinguished by the feel when powdering the dried specimen. Fine
sand feels gritty; whereas, a typical silt has the smooth feel of flour.
Table-1
Typical Names Visual examinations Dry Wet & Thread Test Dilatancy
Strength Manipulated Test
Test
Well graded gravel, Hard, smooth, well rounded gravel, None Not Not possible Not
gravel-sand mixtures, Containing 1/3 sand. applicable applicable
little or no fines.
Poorly graded or gravels Maximum size 50mm, None Not Not possible Not
or gravel-sand mixtures, predominant size 12mm-25mm applicable applicable
little or no fines. smooth, well rounded about 20%
sand
Silty, gravels, poorly Gravel about 70% maximum size Not to Fines Thread less Not
graded gravel, sand, silt 60mm, predominant size 20mm- slight practically than 6mmdia applicable
mixtures. 38mm moderately. non-plastic not possible

Clayey, gravels, poorly Maximum size gravel 60mm, Medium Fines Possible to roll Not
graded gravel-sand-silt, predominant size 10mm-20mm to high moderately to the thread applicable
mixtures. appreciable percentage of clay highly plastic gritty to touch
binder. when broken
dry
July/2007.
1. Following are the results obtained from the tests conducted on two soils A and B. Classify them as per IS classification
system. Show the salient steps involved.
Soil Liquid limit,% Plastic limit,% % retained on IS 75μm % retained on IS 4.75mm Cu Cc
sieve sieve
A 110 50 40 Zero -- --
B --- --- 97 05 7 2
Solution:
Procedure;
1. Soil A: i) %passing 75μm>50, therefore soil is fine grained
ii) IP(actual)=WL-WP=110-50=60%
iii) IP(theoretical)=0.73(WL-20)=0.73(110-20)=65.70%
iv) i.e. IP(theoretical))>IP(actual), therefore, soil A plots below the A-line of the plasticity chart, then the soil is silty soil.
v) WL>50%, then soil A has high plasticity.
vi) Soil A is silty soil with high plasticity (MH)
2. Soil B; i) %passing 75μm<50, therefore soil is coarse grained
ii) % sand=(97-5)=92>50%, therefore soil B is sand.
iii) % passing 75μm=3%<50%, therefore soil B is either SW or SP
iv) Cu=7>6 and Cc=2 (in between 1&3), therefore soil B is well graded
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)
v) Soil B is well graded sand(SW).
2. A soil sample is found to have the following properties. Classify the soil according to IS Classification system passing 75
μm sieve=10%, Passing 4.75mm sive=70%, Uniformity coefficient=8, Coefficient of curvature=2.8, Plasticity index=4.
Solution:
Procedure:
i. Since>50% retained on 75μm sieve the soil is coarse grained
ii. Since>50% passes through 4.75mm sieve, the soil is sandy(S)
iii. Further, Cu>6 and Cc lies between 1 and 3, therefore, it is well-graded Page |
iv. Since, IP<4, it is silty 8
v. Classification of soil is SW-SM
Dec.08/Jan.09
3. Following are the results obtained from the tests conducted on two soils. Show the positions of these soils on the
plasticity chart. Classify the two soils as per I.S. system.
Soil Liquid Limit % Plastic Limit % % Retained on IS 75μ sieve
A 110 50 40
B 45 12 10
Solution:
Procedure:
1 From plasticity chart (Plot the plasticity chart on natural graph sheet).
2 A type of soil is Inorganic silt of high plasticity(MH)
3 B type of soil is Inorganic clay of Medium plasticity(CI.)
June-July.2009
4. The following results were obtained from soil test in the laboratory;
i) Percentage of soil passing 75micron IS sive=25%
ii) Percentage of soil passing 4.75mm IS sieve=75%
iii) Liquid limit=60%
iv) Plastic limit=25%
v) Uniformity coefficient=8.00
vi) Coefficient of curvature=1.50
Classify the soil according to the IS classification.
Solution:
Procedure;
1. % retained on 75micron IS sieve=100-25=75%>50%.
2. Then the type of soil is Coarse grained soil means Gravel or sand.
3. % retained on 4.75mm IS sieve=100-75=25%<50%.
4. Then the type of soil is Gravel.
5. Between 4.75mm and 75micron IS sieve=75-25=50%
6. Then the type of soil is Sand.
7. a. %Gravel=25%, b. %Sand=50%, c.% Silt & Clay=25%
8. Sand>Gravel, then the type of soil is Sand
9. % fines>12%. Here soil is SC or SM.
10. PI=WL-PL=60-25=35%.
11. A Line=0.73(WL-20)=29.20%.
12. PI is above A line, therefore Soil is SC.
July.2007
5. Following are the results obtained from the tests conducted on two soils. Show the positions of these soils on the
plasticity chart. Classify the two soils as per I.S. system. Show the salient steps involved.
Soil Liquid Limit % Plastic Limit % % Retained on IS 75μ % retained on IS 4.75mm Cu Cc
sieve sieve
A 110 50 40 Zero -- --
B ---- ----- 97 05 0.7 0.2
Solution:
Procedure:
1. Soil A: i) % passing 75μm>50, therefore soil is fine grained.
ii) IP(actual)=WL-WP=110-50=60%
iii) IP(theoretical)=0.73(WL-20)=0.73(110-20)=65.70%
iv) i.e, IP(theoretical)> IP(actual), therefore soil A plots below the A-line of plasticity chart. Then the type of soil is silty soil.
v) WL>50%, then the soil A has high plasticity.
vi) Soil A is silty soil with high plasticity(MH).
1. Soil B: i) % passing 75μm<50, therefore soil is coarse grained.
ii) % passing 75μm=92>50, therefore soil B is sand
iii) % passing 75μm=30<50%, then the soil is B is either SW or SP
iv) Cu=7>6 and Cc=2 (between 1&3), then the soil B is well graded.
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date)
v) Soil B is well graded sand(SW).
December-2011.
6. Classify the following soils with I.S. system of classification:
Soil No. Gravel % Fines % Cu Cc WL Wp
A 20 60 -- -- 50 35
B 60 30 -- -- 52 38
C 40 2 5 1.2 -- -- Page |
Ans: 1. Soil: A= Border line classification, MH&CH, 2. Soil: B=MH, 3. Soil: C=Well graded gravel.
7. Two soils S1 and S2are tested in the laboratory for the consistency limits. The data available is as follows:
9
Soil S1 Soil S2
Plastic limit,Wp 18% 20%
Liquid limit,WL 38% 60%
Flow index,IF 10 5
Natural moisture content,w 40% 50%
a. Which soil is more plastic?.
b. Which soil is better foundation material when remolded?.
c. Which soil has better strength as a function of water content?.
d. Which soil has better strength at the plastic limit?.
e. Could organic material be present in these soils?.
4. A soil sample has a liquid limit of 20% and plastic limit of 12%. The following data are also available from
sieve analysis;
Sieve size %passing
2.032mm 100
0.422mm 85
0.075mm 38
Classify the soil approximately according to unified Classification of IS Classification.
8. The following data refers to light silty clay that was assumed, to be saturated in the undisturbed condition. On the basis
of these data determine the liquidity index, sensitivity, and void ratio of the saturated soil. Classify the soil according to
the Unified systems. Assume G=2.7.
9. The following data refers to the classification tests carried out on three samples from the clinker grinding unit of a
cement factory at Gulbarga.
Sieve size in mm Percentage finer
Sample1 Sample2 Sample3
4.75 100.00 100.00 100.00
2.00 100.00 99.25 100.00
1.00 99.80 98.75 99.90
0.450 99.65 98.00 99.70
0.212 98.95 54.15 90.00
0.150 97.55 7.60 81.50
0.075 96.85 6.00 63.00
Liquid limit 23.00 --- ---
Plastic limit 16.77 --- ---
Plasticity index 6.23 Non-plastic Non-plastic

Classify the soils as per Indian Standard soil Classification System.

10. Classify soils on the basis of the data provided, as per IS:1498-1970. Where additional information is required, say
what data is provided.
Soil WL WP %passing through % gravel 4.75mm % sand (4.75mm-
75μm sieve 0.075mm)
A 45% 50% 100 0 0
B 34% 20% 80 0 20
C 60% 30% 90 0 10
D -- Non-plastic 100 0 0
E 35% 20% 20 60 20
F -- Non-plastic 10 20 70

GOOD-LUCK