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For example, a clayey sand with gravel has sand as the most
important component, clay as the second most important, and
gravel as the third most important. If very little of a soil type is
present, then it is not included in the group name at all. For
example, a clayey sand is similar to the soil just described,
except it has less than 15 percent gravel.
Initial Classification
To use the Unified Soil Classification System, begin with an initial classification
as follows:
1) Determine if the soil is highly organic: Such soils: have organic material,
dark brown dark gray, or black color, Organic odor especially when wet, and
soft consistency, have fibrous material (remnants of stems, leaves, roots,
etc)
If the soil does not have these characteristics (and the vast majority do not),
then go to Step 2. However, if it does, then classify it as follows:
Group symbol Pt
Group name Peat
This completes the unified classification for highly organic soils. These soils are
very problematic because of their high compressibility and low strength, so
the group symbol Pt on a boring log is a red flag to geotechnical engineers.
1) FINE GRAINED
2) COARSE GRAINED
Classification of Fine-Grained Soils
Fine-grained soils are those that have at least 50 %
passing the #200 sieve. Thus, these soils are
primarily silt and/or clay.
First Letter
M Predominantly silt - C Predominantly clay-O Organic
Second Letter
L Low plasticity - H High plasticity
CL soils are known as lean clays, while CH soils are fat clays.
The corresponding terms for ML and MH soils are silt and elastic
silt, respectively, even though the stress-strain behavior of MH
soils is no more elastic than any other soil.
ORGANIC SOILS
Liquid limit < 50, Above A Line, PI=23 therefore, Plots as CL (Lean Clay)
First Letter
S: Predominantly sand – G: Predominantly gravel
Second Letter
P: Poorly graded – W: Well graded
M: Silty – C: Clayey
Poorly graded soils are those with a narrow
range of particle sizes (i.e., a steep grain-size
distribution curve)
For example, a SW soil would pass water very easily, and thus
would be rejected for the landfill cap even without a hydraulic
conductivity test.
• The #200 sieve approximately corresponds to the smallest particles one can see with
the unaided eye. Thus, individual fine sand particles can be distinguished, but
individual silt particles cannot. In addition, particles larger than the #200 sieve have
a gritty texture, while those smaller are pastey.
• Clay and silt particles often clump together, and may look like sand. These clumps
will dissolve when wetted. Therefore, when in doubt, be sure to wet the soil before
classifying it.
• Clays (CL and CH) have a higher dry strength, but lose this strength when wetted.In
addition, moist clays can be rolled between the fingers into 5-mm diameter threads.
• Silts (ML and MH) have a lower dry strength, and are much more difficult to roll
into threads.
“It is not possible to classify all soils into a relatively small number
of groups such that the relation of each soil to the many
divergent problems of applied soil mechanics will be adequately
presented.”