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Activity 3.4.

4 Web Soil Survey


Introduction
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service operates a National Cooperative
Soil Survey. The survey provides online access to soil data, maps, and information for
more that ninety-five percent of the nations counties. Although an on-site soils
investigation is often needed, the Web Soil Survey information can be useful when
researching the existing soil conditions on a site.
In this activity you will use the Web Soil Survey to gather information about the soil
conditions on the Keystone Library site.

Equipment

Engineering notebook
Internet access
Pencil
Printer
USCS Soil Classification Chart
Plasticity Chart

Procedure
The following website contains the information necessary to complete the questions
below and to research the properties of soil on your site.
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
Use your engineering notebook to respond to the following questions. Rewrite the
question in your notebook.
1. Start the Web Soil Survey by depressing the START WSS button.
2. Use the navigation bar to Navigate By State and County. Define your site as
an Area of Interest using the AOI button on the Area of Interest (AOI) tab.

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CEA Unit 3 Lesson 3.4 Activity 3.4.4 Web Soil Survey Page 1

3. Choose the Soil Data Explorer tab.


4. Choose the Intro to Soils tab. Research the information to answer the following
questions in your notebook.

What is soil?
What are the four classifications of mineral particles in soil?
What other types of matter can be included in soil?
How is soil formed?
What is a soil scientist?
What is a soil survey?
What type of information does a soil survey provide for construction
engineers?

5. View the Soil Map (choose the Soil Map tab) and identify the soils that are
present on your site by their classification code. Within your design team, assign
each of the soil types to a team member for research.
6. Choose the Soil Data Explorer tab, then choose the Soils Properties and
Qualities tab. Search the data and record the following information for your soil
in your notebook. Do not change the default values in the navigation bar, but be
sure to include information for All Layers (at the bottom of Advanced Options).
o
o
o
o
o
o

Liquid Limit
Organic Matter
Percent Clay
Percent Sand
Percent Silt
Plasticity Index

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CEA Unit 3 Lesson 3.4 Activity 3.4.4 Web Soil Survey Page 2

7. Fill in the following table to display each soil property for each soil. You will have
to calculate the Plastic Limit. Use the USCS Soil Classification Chart and
Plasticity Graph, to classify each soil using the USCS classification.
Soil
Classification

Liquid
Limit
(percent)

Organic
Matter
(percent)

Percent
Clay

Percent
Sand

Percent
Silt

Plasticity
Index

Plastic
Limit

USCS
Classification

PL=PI-LL

8. Choose the Suitabilities and Limitations for Use tab.


o Research the limitations for sanitary facilities on the property. Specifically,
research the limitations (if any) for installation of septic tank absorption
fields. Record your findings in your notebook.
o Research the limitation for small commercial buildings. Record your
findings in your notebook.
9. Print out a soils map and create a soils report for your site. The soils report
should include your research, the soil classification of each soil, the
recommended soil bearing capacity for the site, the suitability of the site for a
septic system, and the suitability of the site for development.

Conclusion
1. How will these findings affect the design and construction of your project on this
site?

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Copyright 2010
CEA Unit 3 Lesson 3.4 Activity 3.4.4 Web Soil Survey Page 3

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