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Soil Classification
Grain Size Distribution
Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit
Field Identification of Soils
Need:
To find the suitability of the soil for construction of
dams, highways and foundations
Types of Soil Classification
Example: Soil 10% Gravel + 52% Sand + 38% Silt & Clay
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
Origin of USCS:
This system was first developed by Professor Casagrande
(1948) for the purpose of airfield construction during World
War II. Afterwards, it was modified by Professor Casagrande
to enable the system to be applicable to dams, foundations, and
other construction
20 mm 2.0 mm 0.425 mm
Question
For the purpose of engineering descriptions, soils are divided into classes of similar grain
size. The NOUNS used to describe a size class refer to a specific range of sizes.
Question
For the purpose of engineering descriptions, soils are divided into classes of similar grain
size. The NOUNS used to describe a size class refer to a specific range of sizes.
Question
For the purpose of engineering descriptions, soils are divided into classes of similar grain
size. The NOUNS used to describe a size class refer to a specific range of sizes.
80
% Finer
60
40
20
D60
0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Particle size (mm)
D60
Cu
D10
2
x% of the soil has particles
D smaller than Dx
Cc 30
( D60 D10 )
where CU is Coefficient of Uniformity and Cc is Coefficient of Curvature
Grain Size Distribution Curves
100
E B
80 A
% Finer
60
40 D
C
20
0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Particle size (mm)
A Well graded Soil
B Uniform Soil (or Poorly Graded Soil)
C Gap Graded Soil (or Poorly graded soil)
D Well graded with some fines
E Well graded with an excess of fines
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
To determine Well Graded (W) or Poorly Graded (P), calculate Cu and Cc.
D60 D302
Cu Cc
D10 ( D60 D10 )
Coefficient of uniformity
Finer
D
Cu 60 1
D10
Soil-water
mixture Liquid State
Liquid Limit, LL
Increasing water content
Plastic State
Plastic Limit, PL
Semisolid State
Shrinkage Limit, SL
Solid State
Dry Soil
Atterberg Limits (or Consistency Limits) - Cont.
Where
ws: shrinkage limit
wP: Plastic Limit
wL: Liquid Limit
A. Semi-solid
B. Plastic
C. Liquid
Liquid and plastic limits
• Casagrande Method
Professor Casagrande standardized the test and
developed the liquid limit device.
N=25 blows
Closing distance =
10 mm
w1 w2
Flow index , I F
log N 2 / N1
LL - Cone Penetrometer Method
31o Cone of Stainless steel
Total sliding weight of 148 g
Cylindrical mould of 5 cm diameter and 5 cm height.
LL
Water content w%
40
CH
30
A – Line
20 OH
CL or PI = 0.73(wL – 20)
10 CL OL
or MH
ML
0 ML
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
L iq u id li m it
Coarse-grained
material
Grain size
distribution
Fine-grained
material
LL, PI
Highly
USCS
Passing No.200 (0.075 mm) sieve = 30 % LL= 33%
Example
Passing No.4 (4.75 mm) sieve = 70 % PI= 12%
LL= 33
PI= 12
PI= 0.73(LL-20), A-line
PI=0.73(33-20)=9.49
SC
(15% gravel)
Clayey sand with Highly
gravel
Textural Classification
1. IS 1498 – 1970 System
2. U S Bureau of Soils and Chemistry System
Acid Test – use dilute HCL to check the presence of Calcium Carbonate
Shine Test – Highly Plastic soil is more Shine than Low Plastic soil