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SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Objective
To classify two soils and describe them using the Unified Classification System by; for
the first soil determining its particle size distribution, and for the second soil determining
its liquid and plastic limits.
Introduction
Soils differ from other structural materials in that one has no control over their structure,
properties, or their variation, all of which may have a significant influence on the soils
behaviour. Thus, the first stage of any site investigation must be to determine the types
and extents of the various soils found at the site.
Simple classification tests have been devised which are used to sort soil into types and
provide a simple, but crude, indication of their engineering properties. A great deal of
experience has been built up with these tests and empirical relations have been proposed
that can relate the results of these tests to such basic engineering parameters as
permeability, strength and compressibility.
The most widely used classification scheme, The Unified Classification System, is based
on measurements of the particle size distribution and the plasticity of the soil. The
particle size distribution and plasticity are determined from standard laboratory tests. The
descriptive classification of the soil can then be given by following the standard
convention. The use of this convention ensures that particular properties, or groups of
properties, appear in the same relative position within the description. The properties are
given in the following order:
(a)
Classification symbol
(b)
Soil name
(c)
Plasticity or particle characteristics of soil
(d)
Colour of soil
(e)
Secondary soil components name, estimated proportion, plasticity or particle
characteristics, colour
(f)
Other minor soil components name, etc.
(g)
Moisture condition, strength (undisturbed state only)
(h)
Structure of soil (undisturbed state only), zoning, defects, cementation.
An example classification might be:
SM, gravelly silty SAND, coarse to fine, rounded to subangular, pale brown, about 20%
angular gravel, 12 mm max. size, about 15% silt, moist, well compacted in place,
possibly alluvial.

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Soil Plasticity
Two tests, known as the Atterberg limit tests, are used to determine the plastic and liquid
limits of a soil. The difference between the moisture contents at the limits is called the
plasticity index. These tests are somewhat arbitrary but have been found to be
approximate strength indicators; the shear strength measured at the liquid limit is
approximately 2 kN/m2. The greater the plasticity index the more plastic the soil.
The liquid limit (LL) is defined as the minimum moisture content at which 25 blows in
the standard test apparatus will just close a groove in a sample of soil.
The plastic limit (PL) is the minimum moisture content at which the soil can be rolled
into a thread of 3 mm without breaking.
The plasticity index (Ip) is given by (LL PL).
The classification of plastic soils in the Unified system is based on a plot of liquid limit
versus plasticity index (see attached sheet on the Unified system).
The standard liquid limit test has been found to be very operator sensitive and a new
method of determining this limit is now gaining acceptance. In this test a small cone is
allowed to penetrate into the soil, and the moisture content at which the penetration is
measured to be 20 mm is defined as the liquid limit. In this experiment both methods of
determining the liquid limit will be used.
Procedure
1.

Liquid Limit

To save time 3 batches of the one soil have been pre-mixed, with nominal water contents
close to the liquid limit, and placed in sealed containers. These containers should be kept
sealed when not in use.
(a) Atterberg test
For each of the soil batches, take a small amount of the soil and place it in the dish of the
liquid limit apparatus. The soil should be levelled so that it is parallel with the base of the
apparatus and not more than 10 mm deep. Then cut a groove with the standard grooving
tool. The handle should be rotated at about 2 turns per second until the groove closes
over a length of about 10 mm. Record the number of blows for this to occur. Repeat the
procedure until the number of blows for closure in two consecutive tests is not greater
than one. A small portion of the soil should be put into a container for moisture content
determination. The remainder of the soil should be replaced in the appropriate container.
The results should be recorded on a plot of moisture content (on a natural scale) versus
number of blows (on a logarithmic scale). A straight line is drawn through the points, and
the moisture content for 25 blows (ie. The liquid limit) is thereby determined.
2

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(b) Cone Penetrometer

The cone should be lowered until it is just in contact with the soil, which should be filled
to the top of the container. The dial gauge is set to zero. The cone is released for 5
seconds, and a final penetration is recorded. For each soil batch an average of three
penetration readings should be taken, and a small sample taken for a moisture content
determination. The remainder of the soil should be returned to the appropriate container.
The results should be recorded on the same plot as above with penetration plotted on the
logarithmic scale. A straight line drawn through the points allows an estimate of the
moisture content for a penetration of 20 mm (the liquid limit) to be read from the plot.
2.

Plastic Limit

A sample of approximately 10 mm3 should be taken and rolled with the palm of the hand
on a glass plate into a thread of about 3 mm diameter. The moisture content is adjusted
until the 3 mm thread just begins to crumble. The moisture content should then be
measured, as this is the plastic limit.
Particle Size Determination
The methods used for particle size determination depend on the sizes of the particles.
For particles larger than coarse silt size (>0.06 mm) sieving can be used. Soil of a known
mass is shaken through a column of sieves with progressively reducing mesh size. The
mass of soil remaining on each sieve is measured.
For smaller particle sizes sedimentation methods must be used. These make use of
Stokes Law, which relates the terminal velocity of spherical particles falling through a
fluid of known viscosity to their diameter. In reality the soil grains are not spherical,
however, for the purposes of classification the procedure is sufficiently accurate.
Procedure
Perform a sieving of approximately 100 g of the soil provided, and record the mass of
soil retained on each sieve, and the mass passing the finest mesh. A sedimentation test of
the fine material will be performed following the procedure described in the Australian
Standard.
The results of the sedimentation test should be calculated following the procedure
described in the standard. The hydrometer calibration and other correction factors are
given in Figure 1.
The results of the particle size determination should be presented on the semi-logarithmic
plot provided showing the percentage passing against mesh aperture.

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To complete the laboratory session every student who does not have to submit a
report on the classification laboratory must show the demonstrator:

A plot of blow count and penetration depth versus moisture content

The LL (by both methods), PL and a classification of the fine-grained soil
The grading curve from the sieve analysis and hydrometer data
A classification of the sandy soil

Note that you will need to return the next day to determine moisture contents, and
the information should be shown to the lab demonstrator at the next lab session (i.e.
if you do the lab on Monday, you should hand in these results on Wednesday).
Report Format (only for those students required to submit a report)
Please read the information on writing a laboratory report in the course outline before
starting your report.
Your report should include:

The plot used to determine the liquid limit by the two methods.

The liquid and plastic limits and plasticity index of the clayey soil

The particle size distribution of the sandy soil

Explain the method of calculation used to reduce data from the hydrometer test

A classification of the two soils using the Unified Classification system

A discussion of the suitability of these soils for a house foundation.

Discussion of the accuracy and reliability of the various results

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Atterberg Test
Sample
Test 1

No. of blows
Test 2
Test 3

Test 4

Tin
mass
(g)

Tin mass
(g)

Tin & wet soil

(g)

Tin &
wet soil
(g)

Tin &
dry soil
(g)

Moisture
Content
%

Remarks

A
B
C

Plastic Limit Test

Test No

Tin & dry soil

(g)

Moisture Content
(%)

m1 =

m2 =

Plastic limit
PL =

m1 m2
2

Plastic index
Ip = LL PL
Cone Penetrometer Test
Sample
Test 1

Cone Penetration (mm)

Test 2
Test 3
Average

Tin
mass
(g)

A
B
C

Tin &
wet soil
(g)

Tin &
dry soil
(g)

Moisture
Content
%

Remarks

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Sieving Test
Initial weight =
Sieve Size

Mass retained
(g)

g
Mass passing
(g)

Percentage Passing
(%)

2.36 mm
1.18 mm
600 m
425 m
300 m
150 m
75 m
Pass 75 m
Total mass (m4) =
Percentage Passing =

Mass passing x 100

Total mass

HYDROMETER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Record mass (g) =

Mix soil and distilled water ( 150 ml) for 5 mins
Wash specimen into a graduated cylinder and add enough distilled water to reach
the 1000 ml mark
Mix soil and distilled water by turning it up and down for 30 secs
Insert hydrometer and start timer
Take reading at 15 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, 2 min, 4 min and 8 min.

Note for calculation

a)
Rh1
for use if hydrometer remains in the suspension from start of the test
b)
Rh2
for use when hydrometer is inserted only to take a reading
c)
soil particle density s = 2.75 g/ml
d)
Cm = 2.5 x 10-4 g/ml (meniscus Correction)
e)
Cd =0 (dispersing agent not used)
R h = hydrometer reading at the upper rim of the meniscus
f)
Reference: AS1289 Section C6.3
6

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Unified soil classification (including identification and description)

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.

Non-plastic fines (for identification

procedures see ML below)

GM

Plastic fines (for identification procedures see CL below)

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

Clayey sands, poorly graded

sand-clay mixtures

GP

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
less than 50

Identification procedure on fraction smaller than .425mm

sieve size
Dry strength
Toughness
Dilatency
crushing
(consistency
(reaction
characterplastic
to shaking) near
istics
limit)

Slight to
medium

Slow to
none

Slight to
medium

MH

High to very
high

None

High

CH

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

Medium to
high

None to very
high

Slight to
medium

OH

Organic clays of medium to

high plasticity

Pt

Peat and other highly organic soils

None to
slight

Quick to
slow

None

ML

Medium to
high

None to very
slow

Medium

CL,CI

Silts and clays

liquid limit
greater than
50

Slight to
medium

Highly organic soils

Slow

Slight

Readily identified by colour, odour

spongy feel and frequently by fibrous
texture

OL

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

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

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
D 10
2
(D30 )
------- Between 1 and 3
C c = -------------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 30 )2
------- Between 1 and 3
C c = -------------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)

40
CI

30

CH

OH

20
CL

10
0

CL-ML
0

10

20

OL
ML
30

or
40 50 60
Liquid limit

or
MH
70

80

90

Plasticity chart
for laboratory classification of fine grained soils

100

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Elapsed
time t
(min)

Rh

Temp
(deg C)

Rh =
Rh+Cm

Rc =
Rh+CT

F1

0.25
0.5
1
2
4
8
16

F2

F3

D=
F1*F2*F3

Ms=
1.6*a*
(Rc-1)*1000

K=
Ms/Mtot*100

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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"

"

/16"

"

/8"

"

" 1" 1 "

2"

/8"

"

" 1" 1 "

2"

20

60

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

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HYDROMETER CALIBRATION
5.0

Rh1
4.5
Rh2

Factor F1

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5
0.995

1.000

1.005

1.010

1.015

Reading Rh

10

1.020

1.025

1.030