12/01/2015

SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(CVE4201 / CVE3225)
Basic Characteristic of Soils

Lecture Week No 1 4

Dr Eric LOH

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this topic successful
students will be able to:
CO1: Describe and determine geotechnical
properties of soil

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ACTIVITY 1

Why study soils?

What is the difference between a soil and a rock ?

Where does soil come from ?

What is the difference between a soil and a rock ?

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Soil is a particulate material

Rock is an intact

Where does soil come from ?

Soil is produced by weathering of rock

Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at the

Earths surface, by the action of rainwater, extremes
of temperature, and biological activity. Weathering
involves no moving agent of transport.

Erosion is

the process by which soil and rock

particles are worn away and moved elsewhere by
wind, water or ice.

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Rock Cycle and the Origin of Soil

Mechanical

weathering is caused by the effects of

changing temperature on rocks, causing the rock to break apart.
The process is sometimes assisted by water.
a) Freeze-thaw occurs when
water continually seeps
into cracks, freezes and
expands,
eventually
breaking the rock apart.

b) Exfoliation occurs as
cracks develop parallel to
the
land
surface
a
consequence
of
the
reduction
in
pressure
during uplift and erosion.

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Chemical weathering is caused by rain water reacting with

the mineral grains in rocks to form new minerals (clays) and
soluble salts. These reactions occur particularly when the water is
slightly acidic.
a) Solution - removal of rock in solution by acidic
rainwater. In particular, limestone is weathered
by rainwater containing dissolved CO2, (this
process is sometimes called carbonation).

b) Hydrolysis - the breakdown of rock by acidic

water to produce clay and soluble salts.

c) Oxidation - the breakdown of rock by

oxygen and water, often giving iron-rich
rocks a rusty-coloured weathered surface.

Biological

weathering refers to the break down or

degradation of rock by living organisms.
Trees put down roots through joints or cracks in the
rock in order to find moisture. As the tree grows, the
roots gradually prize the rock apart or plant acids
help dissolve rock.

Even the tiniest bacteria,

algae and lichens produce
chemicals that help break
down the rock on which they
live, so they can get the
nutrients they need.

Many animals, such as these Piddock shells, bore

into rocks for protection either by scraping away the
grains or secreting acid to dissolve the rock.

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Once the rock has been weakened and broken up by

weathering it is ready for erosion. Erosion happens
when rocks and sediments are picked up and moved to
another place by ice, water, wind or gravity.

Residual Soils
vs
Transported Soils

Residual Soils

hold its position of their formation, without

transporting, just above their parent rock. Residual soils show considerable
variation of engineering properties form top layer to bottom layer. The transition
is observed gradual. Relatively finer materials are found near ground surface
and they become coarser with depth to reach larger fragment of stone.

Typical weathering profiles

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Residual Soils

hold its position of their formation, without

transporting, just above their parent rock. Residual soils show considerable
variation of engineering properties form top layer to bottom layer. The transition
is observed gradual. Relatively finer materials are found near ground surface
and they become coarser with depth to reach larger fragment of stone.

Typical weathering profiles

Transported Soils

get deposited by different transporting agent at

a point that is away from its formation. These soils are found to have entirely
different engineering properties from that of the rock on/at which they are
deposited. These deposits are usually found uniform and a considerable
thickness. In foundation engineering context, they have great importance as we
deals with these deposit more frequently in founding civil engineering
structures.

a) Glacial Soils: formed by transportation & deposition of

glaciers.
b) Alluvial Soils: transported by running water & deposited
along streams.
c) Lacustrine Soils: formed by deposition in quiet lakes
d) Marine Soils: formed by deposition in seas/oceans
e) Aeolian Soils: transported and deposited by the wind
f) Colluvial Soils: formed by movement of soil from its
original place by gravity (e.g. landslides).

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ROCK-SOIL RELATIONSHIP
Igneous Rocks
o Granite silty sands
o Basalts clayey soils

Sedimentary Rocks
o Shales clays and silts
o Sandstone sandy soil
o Limestone coarse/fine grained soils

Metamorphic Rocks
o
o
o
o

Gneiss silty sand

Slate clayey soils
Marble fine grained soils
Quartzite coarse grained soils

What is the difference between Gravel, Sand,

Silt and Clay?

20 m

5 m

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Particle size classes of different systems

U.S.D.A U.S. Department of Agriculture

UNIFIED Unified Soil Classification System
AASHO American Association od State Highway and Transportation Officials

British Standard range of particle sizes

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Particle Size Analysis

(Dry Sieve Analysis)

Example 1
The result of a dry-sieving test are given below; plot the particle-size distribution curve
and give a classification for the soil. The original weighed quantity was 147.2g
Sieve Size (mm)

Mass Retained (g)

20

14.4

1.7

10

2.3

6.3

8.4

5.7

3.35

12.9

3.5

1.18

1.1

0.6

30.5

0.425

45.3

0.212

25.4

0.063

7.4

10

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Original Weight: 147.2g

Sieve Size (mm)

Mass Retained (g)

% Retained

% Passing

20

0.00

100

14.4

1.7

1.15

98.85
97.28

10

2.3

1.56

6.3

8.4

5.71

91.58

5.7

3.87

87.70

3.35

12.9

8.76

78.94

3.5

2.38

76.56

1.18

1.1

0.75

75.82

0.6

30.5

20.72

55.10

0.425

45.3

30.77

24.32

0.212

25.4

17.26

7.07

0.063

7.4

5.03

2.04

Total

144.2

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PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

0.06

0.2

0.6

20

60

100

80
70
60
50
40
30

PERCENTAGE PASSING

90

20
10

0.01

0.1

10

0
100

What is the approximate proportions of the soil?

TYPICAL GRADING CURVES

A flat portion of the curve indicates that little of

that particle size is present
A steep portion of the curve indicates that a lot of
that particle size is present
A well graded soil gives a smooth concave
curve

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Maximum size of the smallest 10% of the sample

Effective Size = d10

Uniformity Coefficient, Cu =

d 60
d10

Coefficient of Gradation, Cg =

(d 30 )2
d 60 d10

Uniformly graded soils will tend to have low Cu values (< 3.0 )
Well graded soils having Cu value of > 5.0.
A single sized soil would have a Cu value of 1.0.
Cg values of about 2 are ideal with values between 0.5 and 2.0
indicating a well graded soil.

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

0.06

0.2

0.6

20

60

100

80
70
60
50
40
30

PERCENTAGE PASSING

90

20
10

0.01

0.1

D10 D30 D60 1

10

0
100

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Effective Size, d10 = 0.26

Uniformity Coefficient, Cu =

d 60 0.68
=
= 2.6
d10 0.26

Coefficient of Gradation, Cg =

(d 30 )2
d 60 d10

0.482
= 1.3
0.68 0.26

Uniformly graded soils will tend to have low Cu values (< 3.0 )
Well graded soils having Cu value of > 4.0 for Gravel & > 6.0 for Sand
A single sized soil would have a Cu value of 1.0.
Cg values of about 2.0 are ideal with values between 1.0 and 3.0
indicating a well graded soil.

Curve A :- poorly graded medium SAND - narrow range of sizes therefore

poorly graded
Curve B :- well graded material GRAVEL SAND - wide range of sizes
Curve C :- very silty SAND - significant silt fraction
Curve D :- sandy SILT
Curve E :- silty CLAY - typical London Clay

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Problem 1
The result of a dry-sieving test are given below; plot the particle-size distribution curve
and give a classification for the soil. The original weighed quantity was 306g
Sieve size (mm)

Mass retained (g)

50

37.5

15.5

20

17

14

10

10

11

6.3

33

33.5

3.35

81

18

1.18

31

0.6

32.5

0.212

0.15

0.063

5.5

DETERMINATION OF
CONSISTENCY LIMITS

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Total Volume

As moisture is removed from these fine grained soils,

they pass through four states, solid, semi-plastic solid,
plastic, liquid, all of these states are water content
dependent.

Liquid

Brittle solid

Semi
plastic
solid

Plastic

Water content

This change from one state to another is a gradual

process, however for convenience we chose to define
three water content limits at which the changes occur.
These limits are commonly referred to as the
Consistency Limits of the soil.

The three limits in question are :-

Total Volume

1) Liquid Limit (W L) - this is the water content at which

the soil changes from a liquid to a plastic state. It is the
minimum water content at which the soil will flow under
its own weight.

WS

WP

WL

Water content

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The three limits in question are :-

Total Volume

2) Plastic Limit (W P) - this is the water content at which

the soil ceases to be entirely plastic and becomes a semiplastic solid.

WS

WP

WL

Water content

The three limits in question are :-

Total Volume

3) Shrinkage Limit (W S) this is the water content below

which further loss of moisture does not result in a
decrease in the soil volume.

WS

WP

WL

Water content

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Of these three limits the most important as far as we are

concerned are the liquid limit and the plastic limit.
The range of water contents over which the soil is in a
plastic condition is referred to as the Plasticity Index (IP)

Total Volume

I P = WL WP

WS

WP

WL

Water content

The Liquidity Index (IL) expresses the natural water

content of the soil in terms of the consistency limits.
IL =

w - WP
w - WP
=
WL WP
IP

IL < 0 soil is in a semi-plastic or solid state

0 < IL < 1 soil is plastic
IL > 1 soil is in a liquid state and will thus flow (i.e. a
quick clay)

Total Volume

Natural Water Content, w

WS

WP

WL

Water content

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Dial Gauge

Manual cone
release and
locking device

Soil in metal cup

Diameter 55mm
Depth 40mm

Cone:
Mass 80g
Length 35mm
Angle 30

Base

(LIQUID LIMIT - penetrometer method)

DETERMINATION OF
CONSISTENCY LIMITS
(LIQUID LIMIT - penetrometer method)
Firstly the soil is dried and then broken up
using a pestle and mortar. The sample is
then sieved and the material passing the
425 m sieve mixed with distilled water to
a paste of stiff consistency. This is then
left for 24 hours in an air tight container to
allow for the water to fully penetrate the
soil. After this time a portion of the soil is
placed in the penetrometer cup and the
soil struck off level with the top of the cup
(care must be taken not to entrap any air
in the cup when placing the soil). The cup
is then placed on the penetrometer stand
and the point of the cone lowered such
that it just touches and marks the top
surface of the soil sample in the cup.

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DETERMINATION OF
CONSISTENCY LIMITS
(LIQUID LIMIT - penetrometer method)
The dial gauge reading is then taken and
noted and then the clamp released. The
cone is allowed to penetrate the soil
sample for 5 sec. (timed with a stop
watch) after which the clamp is retightened and a second dial gauge
reading taken and again noted. The
difference between the second and first
dial
gauge
readings
gives
the
penetration. The same procedure is
repeated several times on the same soil
sample and an average penetration
computed. A small sample of the soil
sample is then taken for water content
determination.

DETERMINATION OF
CONSISTENCY LIMITS
(LIQUID LIMIT - penetrometer method)

The whole procedure is then repeated

five or six times with the successive
addition of amounts of distilled water (i.e
the soil sample will have an increasing
water content)

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DETERMINATION OF
CONSISTENCY LIMITS
(LIQUID LIMIT - penetrometer method)

Cone penetration (mm)

Line of best fit

25
x
20

15
x

10
Data points
5
0
0

Liquid Limit
(WL)

Water content (%)

A graph of cone penetration against water content is then plotted with a

best fit straight line drawn between the points. The liquid limit is then
the water content which corresponds to a cone penetration of 20 mm.

Example 1

In a liquid limit test on a fine-grained soil, using a cone

penetrometer, the following results were recorded.
Penetration (mm)
Water Content (%)

15.6
34.6

18.2
40.8

21.4
48.2

23.6
53.4

Determine the liquid limit of the soil.

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DETERMINATION OF
CONSISTENCY LIMITS
(PLASTIC LIMIT)
Take approximately 20 g of soil paste (prepared in the same way as for the
liquid limit test) and roll it into a ball in the hands until slight cracks appear in
its surface. Divide the ball into two halves and then one of these halves into
four equal portions. Take one of these portions, roll it into a ball and then into a
thread on a glass plate. When the diameter of the thread becomes 3 mm
knead it again into a ball, this process of handling the soil sample effectively
drying out the soil sample (i.e. decreasing the water content). Again roll the soil
ball out into a thread. Repeat the process of rolling into a ball and then into a
thread until the thread just starts to crumble at the 3 mm dia. Once this has
occurred place the thread pieces into an air tight container. The whole process
should be carried out on the remaining three portions of the first half of the 20g
sample with all thread pieces put into the same container.
The test is then repeated on the other 10g of soil sample.
The water content of the two 10gs is then determined and the average of the
two reported as the plastic limit of the sample ( % ).

Using the relationship between the liquid limit and the

plastic limit it is possible to establish sub - groups for the
fine soils. The most commonly used classification in the
UK is the British Soil Classification System and this is
based on the standard Plasticity Chart.

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The liquid limit is plotted against the plasticity index of the soil and
depending where this point lies a sub - group for the soil can be
determined. The A line on the plasticity chart gives an arbitrary
division between silts and clays with the vertical lines defining five (5)
levels of plasticity:- low(L), intermediate (I), high (H), very high (V)
and extremely high (E).

SUB-GROUP SYMBOLS FOR THE BRITISH

SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Primary letter
Coarse grained soils

Secondary letter

G = GRAVEL

W = well graded

S = SAND

P = poorly graded
Pu = uniformly graded
Pg = gap graded

Fine grained soils

F = FINES

L = low plasticity

M = SILT

I = intermediate plasticity

C = CLAY

H = high plasticity
V = very high plasticity
E = extremely high plasticity

Organic soils

Pt = PEAT

O = organic

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SUB-GROUP SYMBOLS FOR THE BRITISH

SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

GPu uniformly graded GRAVEL

CV very high plasticity CLAY
ML low plasticity SILT

Determine the liquid limit, the plasticity index and classify the soil
Penetration (mm)
Water Content (%)

15.6
34.6

18.2
40.8

21.4
48.2

23.6
53.4

W p = 33 %

Liquid Limit, W L = 45%

Plasticity Index, IP = W L W P = 45 33 = 12%

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Classification: MI (SILT of intermediate plasticity)

Problem 1
Determine the liquid limit, the plasticity index and classify
the soil
Penetration (mm)
Water Content (%)

15.6
48.6

18.2
54.8

21.4
62.2

23.6
67.4

Wp = 22 %

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Phase Relationships

SOIL MODEL AND BASIC PROPERTIES

Air

Water

Solid

Soil

Phase Diagram

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THREE-PHASE SOIL MODEL

Volumes

Ma 0

Va= e(1-S)

Air

e
Mw = wMs = wGsw

Ms = Gsw

Water

Vw= Se = wGs

Solid

Vs = 1

Specific volume, V= 1+e

Masses

DEFINITION
Specific Gravity (Gs) is the ratio of the mass of a
given volume of a material to the mass of the
same volume of water
Ma = 0
Mw = wGsw

Ms = Gsw

Air

Va= e(1-S)

Water

Vw= Se = wGs

Solid

Vs = 1

s
Gs =
w

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DEFINITION
Degree of saturation (S) is the fraction of the void
volume filled by water
Ma = 0

Air

Va= e(1-S)

Mw = wGsw

Water

Vw= Se = wGs

Ms = Gsw

Solid

Vs = 1

S=
S=0
S=1

Vw
Vv

for perfectly dry soil

for fully saturated soil

DEFINITION
Water content (w) is a measure of the amount of
water present in the soil
Ma = 0
Mw = wGsw

Ms = Gsw

Air

Va= e(1-S)

Water

Vw= Se = wGs

Solid

Vs = 1

M W Se
w=
=
M S Gs

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DEFINITION
Void ratio (e) is a measure of the void volume; it
may be occupied by either water and/or air
Ma = 0

Air

Va= e(1-S)
e

Mw = wGsw

Water

Vw= Se = wGs

Ms = Gsw

Solid

Vs = 1

e=

Va + Vw
Vs

DEFINITION
Porosity (n) is also a measure of the void volume
to the total volume
Ma = 0

Air

Va= e(1-S)
e

Mw = wGsw

Water

Vw= Se = wGs

Ms = Gsw

Solid

Vs = 1

n=

Vv
e
=
V 1+ e

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DEFINITION
=

Mass _ of _ Solid
Total _ Volume

Air

= g = 9.81 10 3

e(1-S)

d =

GS
W
1+ e

e
wGsw

Water

Se = wGs

Gsw

Solid

B =

GS + Se
W
1+ e

sat =

GS + e
W
1+ e

Example 1
In a sample of moist clay soil, the void ratio is 0.788 and the
degree of saturation is 0.93. Assuming Gs = 2.7, determine the
dry density , the bulk density and the water content.

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Problem 1
A specimen of clay was tested in the laboratory and the
following data were collected:
Mass of wet specimen,
M1 = 148.8g
Mass of dry specimen,
M2 = 106.2g
Volume of wet specimen, V = 86.2 cm3
Specific gravity
Gs = 2.70
Determine:
a) the water content
b) the bulk and dry densities
c) the void ratio and porosity
d) the degree of saturation

Problem 2
A cylindrical specimen of moist clay has a diameter of 38 mm,
height of 76 mm and mass of 174.2 grams. After drying in the
oven at 105oC for about 24 hours, the mass is reduced to
148.4 grams. Find the dry density, bulk density and water
content of the clay. Assuming the specific gravity of the soil
grains as 2.71, find the degree of saturation.

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Problem 3
It is known that the natural soil at a construction site has a void
ratio of 0.92. At the end of compaction, the in-place void ratio
was found to be 0.65. If the moisture content remains
unchanged, determine:
a) Percent decrease in the total volume of the soil due to
compaction
b) Percent increase in the field unit weight
c) Percent change in the degree o saturation

a) 14.0% decrease
b) 16.3% increase
c) 41.5% increase

Soil Compactions

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WHAT IS COMPACTION?
Compaction is the application of mechanical energy, to a
soil in order to rearrange the soil particles and thus get
them to pack closer together - reducing the void ratio.
The smallest possible void ratio is generally aimed for
when undertaking construction works on or in a soil or
when placing fill material. Why???

The main objective of compaction is to improve the engineering performance of

the soil and compaction achieves this by :Increasing the shear strength of the soil which
leads to improvements in the stability of embankments
increases the bearing capacity of foundations, road pavements, etc.
ii. Decreasing the compressibility of the soil
large voids can lead to the soil compacting under the imposed loads
which results in settlement
iii. Decreasing the void ratio
reduces the permeability of the soil usually desirable in most
construction operations
iv. Decreasing the size of any air voids, if these fill with water they may
reduce the shear strength of the soil
increase the potential for swelling of the soil
increase the potential for shrinkage of the soil
increase the potential damage from frost heave

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Factors Affecting Compaction

The state of compaction of a soil is measured in terms of
the DRY DENSITY of the soil. Dry density is used as this
is the mass of solids per unit volume, the higher the dry
density achieved the greater the amount of solids in the
unit volume. The degree to which any soil can be
compacted is affected by three factors:

a) the water content of the soil

b) the amount of compactive effort that is
applied to the soil
c) the type of soil and its grading

FORMULAE

d =
d =

b
1+ w

G s w (1 Av )
1 + (w Gs )

Note remember w and Av must be entered in decimal form.

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Example 1
In a BS compaction test the following data were collected:
Bulk
Density
(kgm-3)

1952

2006

2069

2099

2091

2081

Water
Content
(%)

12.5

13.4

14.8

16.2

17.4

18.4

a) Draw the graph of dry density against water content and

from it determine the maximum dry density and optimum
water content
b) On the same axes, draw the d/w curve for zero (0%) and
5% air voids, and hence determine the air-voids content at
the maximum dry density

Effect of increased compactive effort

The compactive effort will be greater when using a heavier
roller on site or a heavier rammer in the laboratory. With
greater compactive effort:

a) maximum dry density

increases
b) optimum water content
decreases
c) air-voids content remains
almost the same.

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Effect of soil type

a) Well-graded granular soils can be
compacted to higher densities
than uniform or silty soils.
b) Clays of high plasticity may have
water contents over 30% and
achieve similar densities (and
therefore strengths) to those of
lower plasticity with water contents
below 20%.
c) As the % of fines and the plasticity
of a soil increases, the compaction
curve becomes flatter and
therefore less sensitive to moisture
content. Equally, the maximum dry
density will be relatively low.

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Unified soil classification (including identification and description)

Non-plastic fines (for identification

procedures see ML below)

GM

Plastic fines (for identification procedures see CL below)

Well graded gravels, gravelsand mixtures, little or no

fines
Poorly graded gravels, gravelsand mixtures, little or no
fines
Silty gravels, poorly
graded gravel-sand-silt mixtures

Give typical names: indicate approximate percentages of sand

and gravel: maximum size:
angularity, surface condition,
and hardness of the coarse
grains: local or geological name
and other pertinent descriptive
information and symbol in
parentheses.

GC

Clayey gravels, poorly graded

gravel-sand-clay mixtures

Wide range in grain sizes and substantial amounts of all intermediate

particle sizes

SW

Well graded sands, gravelly

sands, little or no fines

For undisturbed soils add information on stratification, degree

of compactness, cementation,
moisture conditions and drainage characteristics.

Predominantely one size or a range of

sizes with some intermediate sizes missing

SP

Poorly graded sands, gravelly

sands, little or no fines

Non-plastic fines (for identification procedures, see ML below)

SM

Silty sands, poorly graded

sand-silt mixtures

Plastic fines (for identification procedures, see CL below)

SC

GP

Clayey sands, poorly graded

sand-clay mixtures

Example:
Silty sand, gravelly; about 20%
hard angular gravel particles
12.5mm maximum size; rounded
and subangular sand grains
coarse to fine, about 15% nonplastic lines with low dry
strength; well compacted and
moist in places; alluvial sand;
(SM)

Silts and clays

liquid limit
greater than
50

Silts and clays

liquid limit
less than 50

Identification procedure on fraction smaller than .425mm

sieve size
Dry strength
Toughness
Dilatency
crushing
(consistency
(reaction
characternear
plastic
to shaking)
istics
limit)

Highly organic soils

Inorganic silts and very fine sands,

rock flour, silty or clayey
fine sands with slight plasticity
Inorganic clays of low to medium
plasticity, gravelly clays, sandy
clays, silty clays, lean clays
Organic silts and organic siltclays of low plasticity
inorganic silts, micaceous or
dictomaceous fine sandy or
silty soils, elastic silts
Inorganic clays of high
plasticity, fat clays

Give typical name; indicate degree

and character of plasticity,
amount and maximum size of
coarse grains: colour in wet condition, odour if any, local or
geological name, and other pertinent descriptive information, and
symbol in parentheses

OH

Organic clays of medium to

high plasticity

Pt

Peat and other highly organic soils

Example
Clayey silt, brown: slightly plastic:
small percentage of fine sand:
numerous vertical root holes: firm
and dry in places; loess; (ML)

None to
slight

Quick to
slow

None

ML

Medium to
high

None to very
slow

Medium

CL,CI

Slight to
medium

Slow

Slight

Slight to
medium

Slow to
none

High to very
high

None

Medium to
high

None to very
high

Slight to
medium
High
Slight to
medium

Readily identified by colour, odour

spongy feel and frequently by fibrous
texture

OL
MH
CH

For undisturbed soils add information on structure, stratification, consistency and undisturbed and remoulded states,
moisture and drainage conditions

Laboratory classification
criteria
D
C U = --- 60 Greater than 4
D10
2
(D )
--------- Between 1 and 3
C c = ------------30
D10 x D60
Not meeting all gradation requirements for GW
Above "A" line with
PI between 4 and 7
are borderline cases
Atterberg limits above "A" requiring use of dual
line with PI greater than 7 symbols
Atterberg limits below
"A" line or PI less than 4

D
C U =--- 60 Greater than 6
D 10
(D )2
--------- Between 1 and 3
C c = ------------30
D 10 x D60
Not meeting all gradation requirements for SW
Above "A" line with
PI between 4 and 7
are borderline cases
Atterberg limits above "A" requiring use of dual
line with PI greater than 7 symbols
Atterberg limits below
"A" line or PI less than 4

60
Comparing soils at equal liquid limit
Toughness and dry strength increase

50

with increasing plasticity index

Plasticity index

GW

Information required for

describing soils
Determine percentages of gravel and sand from grain size curve
Depending on percentages of fines (fraction smaller than .075mm
sieve size) coarse grained soils are classified as follows
Less than 5%
GW, GP, SW, SP
More than 12% GM, GC, SM, SC
5% to 12%
Bordeline case requiring use of dual symbols

Gravels with Clean gravels

fines
(little or no
(apreciable
fines)
amount of fines)
Clean sands
(little or no
fines)
Sands with
fines
(appreciable
amount of fines)

Gravels
More than half of coarse
fraction is larger than
2.36mm
Sands
More than half of coarse
fraction is smaller than
2.36mm

Fine grained soils

Coarse grained soils
More than half of material is smaller than
More than half of material is larger than
.075mm sieve size
.075mm sieve size
The .075mm sieve size is about the smallest particle visible to the naked eye

Wide range of grain size and substantial

amounts of all intermediate particle
sizes
Predominantly one size or a range of
sizes with some intermediate sizes
missing

Typical names

Use grain size curve in identifying the fractions as given under field identification

Group
symbols
1

Field identification procedures

(Excluding particles larger than 75mm and basing fractions on
estimated weights)

"A

40

in
"l

CH
CI

30

OH

20
10

CL-ML
0

or

CL

10

20

OL
or

MH

ML
30

40 50 60
Liquid limit

70

80

90

Plasticity chart
for laboratory classification of fine grained soils

100

200 140 100 70

300 200 150 100 72

50 40 30
52

36 25

ASTM SIEVE SIZES

20 16 12 8 6
B.S. SIEVE SIZES
18 14 10 7 1/8"

"

"

" 1" 1 "

2"

"

"

" 1" 1 "

2"

20

60

/16"

/8"
/8"

100

Percent Finer

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.001
Clay

0.002

0.006

Fine

0.01
Medium
Silt

0.02

0.6
0.1 0.2
1
Equivalent Particle Size (mm)
0.06

Coarse

Medium
Sand

Fine

Coarse

Fine

10
Medium
Gravel

Coarse

Stone or
Boulder