CVE 306 NOTE 3 Soil Mechanics

Chapter 3
Soil classification: Particle size distribution- Atterberg limits
Soil Classification
It is necessary to adopt a formal system of soil description and classification in order to describe
the various materials found in ground investigation. Such a system must be meaningful and concise
in an engineering context, so that engineers will be able to understand and interpret. It is important
to distinguish between description and classification:
Description of soil is a statement that describes the physical nature and state of the soil. It can be
a description of a sample, or a soil in situ. It is arrived at by using visual examination, simple tests,
observation of site conditions, geological history, etc.
Classification of soil is the separation of soil into classes or groups each having similar
characteristics and potentially similar behaviour. A classification for engineering purposes should
be based mainly on mechanical properties: permeability, stiffness, strength. The class to which a
soil belongs can be used in its description.
The aim of a classification system is to establish a set of conditions which will allow useful
comparisons to be made between different soils. The system must be simple. The relevant criteria
for classifying soils are the size distribution of particles and the plasticity of the soil.
The size and the shape of the particles
The classification according to size divide the soil into two main groups; namely coarse grained
and fine grained. The properties of coarse grained soils to a considerable extent depends on the
grain size distribution, classification according to size will be helpful here. Fine grained soil are
so much affected by the structure, shape of grain, geological origin and other factors that their
grain size alone tell little about their physical properties. However, one can assess the nature of a
mixed soil on the basis of the percentage of fine grained soil present in it. It is therefore essential
to classify the soil according to grain size. Soil particles that are greater than 0.075mm are term as
coarse aggregates while the finer ones as silt, clay and peat (organic soil) are referred to as fine
grained. Classification of soils as gravel, sand, silt and clay as per the different systems of
classification are shown in Table 3.1. From Engineering point of view, these two type of soils have
distinctive
Table 3.1: Classification of Soils based on Particle Sized by Different Systems
Grain (Particle) size Distribution
For measuring the distribution of particle sizes in a soil sample, it is necessary to conduct
different particle-size tests. The main two methods are the hydrometer analysis for fine grained
soil and the Sieve analysis for coarse grained.
Wet sieving is carried out for separating fine grains from coarse grains by washing the soil
specimen on a 75 micron sieve mesh.
Sieve Analysis
Table 1. U.S. Standard Sieve Sizes.
Sieve Number Opening (mm)

4 4.750
6 3.350
8 2.360
10 2.000
16 1.180
20 0.850
30 0.600
40 0.425
50 0.300
60 0.250
80 0.180
100 0.150
140 0.106
170 0.088
200 0.075
270 0.053
Dry sieve analysis is carried out on particles coarser than 75 micron. Samples (with fines removed)
are dried and shaken through a set of sieves of descending size listed above. The weight retained
in each sieve is measured. The cumulative percentage quantities finer than the sieve sizes (passing
each given sieve size) are then determined.
The resulting data is presented as a distribution curve with grain size along x-axis (log scale)
and percentage passing along y-axis (arithmetic scale). A sample of set of sieve and sieve shaker
ares shown in Figures 3.1. and 3.2
Figure 3.1: A Set of Sieves for Sieve Analysis of Soil
Figure 3.2: Sieve shaker

By determining the mass of the soil sample left on each sieve, the following calculations can be
made;
A sample of the Particle size distribution curve is show in Figure 3.3
Figure 3.3 : Particle size Distribution Curve.
Hydrometer Analysis
Sedimentation analysis is used only for the soil fraction finer than 75 microns. Soil particles are
allowed to settle from a suspension. The decreasing density of the suspension is measured at
various time intervals. The procedure is based on the principle that in a suspension, the terminal
velocity of a spherical particle is governed by the diameter of the particle and the properties of the
suspension. In this method, the soil is placed as a suspension in a jar filled with distilled water to
which a deflocculating agent is added. The soil particles are then allowed to settle down. The
concentration of particles remaining in the suspension at a particular level can be determined by
using a hydrometer. Specific gravity readings of the solution at that same level at different time
intervals provide information about the size of particles that have settled down and the mass of
soil remaining in solution. The computations here are based on Stokes’ formular. The results are
then plotted between % finer (passing) and log size
Grain Size Distribution: The size distribution curves, as obtained from coarse and fine grained
portions, can be combined to form one complete grain-size distribution curve (also known
as grading curve). A typical grading curve is shown in Figure 3.4
Figure 3.4:Grain size distribution curve

From the complete grain-size distribution curve, useful information can be obtained such as:
1. Grading characteristics, which indicate the uniformity and range in grain-size distribution.
2. Percentages (or fractions) of gravel, sand, silt and clay-size.ion

Grading Characteristics
A grading curve is a useful aid to soil description. The geometric properties of a grading curve
are called grading characteristics.
To obtain the grading characteristics, three points are located first on the grading curve.
D60 = size at 60% finer by weight

The grading characteristics are then determined as follows:
1. Effective size = D10
2. Uniformity coefficient,
3. Curvature coefficient,
Both Cuand Cc will be 1 for a single-sized soil.
Figure 3.5; Grading curve
Grain Size Distribution Curves

Example1
Figure 3.8 Particle size distribution Curve

Solution
The percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay-size particles present in a soil can be obtained
from the particle-size distribution curve. According to the Unified soil classification soil A in
Figure 3.8 has:
 Gravel (size limit - greater than 4.75 mm) = 0%

 Sand (size limits - 4.75 to 0.075 mm) = percent finer than 4.75 mm diameter - percent
finer than 0.075 mm diameter = 100 - 62 - 38%
 Silt and clay (size limit - less than 0.075 mm) = 62%
For the particle-size distribution curve of soil B shown in Figure 3.8, the values of D10 D30 and
D60 are 0.096 mm, 0.16 mm and 0.24 mm, respectively. The uniformity coefficient and
coefficient of gradation are:
Example 2
From the results of a sieve analysis, shown below, determine: (a) the percent finer than each
sieve and plot a grain-size distribution curve, (b) D10, D30, D60 from the grain-size distribution
curve, (c) the uniformity coefficient, Cu, and (d) the coefficient of gradation, Cc.
Diameter Mass of soil retained

Sieve Number
(mm) on each sieve (g)
4 4.750 28
10 2.000 42
20 0.850 48
40 0.425 128
60 0.250 221
100 0.150 86
200 0.075 40
Pan -- 24
Solution
The following table can be prepared for obtaining the percent finer:
Percent retained Cumulative Percent Percent

Mass of soil retained
on each sieve (%) retained on each sieve (%) finer (%)
Sieve Number on each sieve (g)
Equation (1) Equation (2) Equation(3)
4 28 4.54 4.54 95.46

10 42 6.81 11.35 88.65
20 48 7.78 19.13 80.87
40 128 20.75 39.88 60.12
60 221 35.82 75.70 24.30
100 86 19.93 89.63 10.37
200 40 6.48 96.11 3.89
Pan 24 3.89 100.00 0
617
The plot of the grain-size distribution is shown below:
The particle diameters defining 10%, 30%, and 60% finer from the grain-size distribution curve
are estimated as: D10 = 0.14 mm , D30 = 0.27 mm, and D60 = 0.42 mm.
Work to do
State whether the following soils are well graded or uniformly graded:
1. From the particle size distribution curve shown below, determine:
(a) D10, D30, D60 from the grain-size distribution curve, (c) the uniformity
coefficient, Cu, and (d) the coefficient of gradation, Cc.

CVE 306 NOTE 3 Soil Mechanics

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Chapter 3

Soil classification: Particle size distribution- Atterberg limits

Grain (Particle) size Distribution

Sieve Number Opening (mm)

Figure 3.2: Sieve shaker

Figure 3.4:Grain size distribution curve

2. Percentages (or fractions) of gravel, sand, silt and clay-size.ion

D60 = size at 60% finer by weight

Figure 3.5; Grading curve

Grain Size Distribution Curves

Figure 3.8 Particle size distribution Curve

 Gravel (size limit - greater than 4.75 mm) = 0%

Diameter Mass of soil retained

Percent retained Cumulative Percent Percent

4 28 4.54 4.54 95.46

The plot of the grain-size distribution is shown below:

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