Table of Contents

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Communications
Materials and Research Department

Standard Method of Test for

The Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway
Construction Purposes

MRD Test Method 210

(Adaptation of AASHTO M 145-73)

1. Scope
1.1 This recommended practice describes a procedure for classifying soils into seven groups based on laboratory
determination of particle size distribution, liquid limit and pasticity index. Evaluation of soils within each group is made by
means of a "group index," which is a value calculated from an empirical formula. The group classification including group
index, should be useful in determining the relative quality of the soil material for use in earthwork structures, particularly
embankments, subgrades, subbases and bases.

2. Test Procedures
2.1 The classification is based on the results of tests made in accordance with the following MRDTM standard
methods:
MRDTM 201, Dry Preparation of Disturbed Soil and Soil-Aggregate Samples
MRDTM 202, Wet Preparation of Disturbed Soil Samples for Test
MRDTM 204, Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
MRDTM 205, Particle Size Analysis of Soils
MRDTM 206, Amount of Material Finer than 0.075 mm (No. 200) Sieve in Aggregate,
MRDTM 208, Determining the Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils, and
MRDTM 209, Determining the Liquid Limit of Soils

Note 1: Either MRDTM 204, MRDTM 205, or MRDTM 206 will be used to determine the particle size distribution as a
basis for classification.

3. Classification
3.1 The classification is made by using the test limits and group index values shown in Table 1. If a more detailed
classification is desired, a further subdivision of the groups shown in Table 2 may be made. The liquid limit and the
plasticity index ranges for the A-4, A-5, A-6, and A-7 soil groups are shown graphically in Fig. 2.
3.2 Classification Procedure-With required test data available, proceed from left to right in Table 1 or Table 2 and the
correct group will be found by process of elimination. The first group from the left into which the test data will fit is the
correct classification. All limiting test values are shown as whole numbers. If fractional numbers appear on test reports,
convert to nearest whole number for purposes of classification. Group index values should always be shown in parentheses
after group symbol as A-2-6(3), A-4(5), A-6(12), A-7-5(17), etc.

4. Definitions of Gravel, Sand, and Silt-Clay

4.1 The terms "gravel," "coarse sand," and "silt-clay," as determined from the minimum test data required in this
classification arrangement and as used in subsequent work descriptions, are defined as follows:
4.1.1 Gravel-Material passing the 75 mm (3 in.) sieve and retained on the 2.00 mm (No. 10) sieve.
4.1.2 Coarse Sand-Material passing the 2.00 mm (No. 10) sieve and retained on the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve.
4.1.3 Fine Sand-Material passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve and retained on the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve.
4.1.4 Silt-Clay (Combined silt and clay) -Material passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve.
4.1.5 Boulders (retained on 75 mm (3 in.) sieve) should be excluded from the portion of the sample to which the
classification is applied, but the percentage of such material, if any, in the sample should be recorded.
4.1.6 The term "silty" is applied to fine material having plasticity index of 10 or less and the term "clayey" is applied to
fine material having plasticity index of 11 or greater.
Table of Contents
5. Description of Classification Groups
5.1 Granular Materials-Those containing 35 percent or less passing 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve (Note 2).
5.1.1 Group A- I -The typical material of this group is a well-graded mixture of stone fragments or gravel, coarse sand,
fine sand, and a nonplastic or feebly plastic soil binder. However, this group also includes stone fragments, gravel, coarse
sand, volcanic cinders, etc., without soil binder.
[Link] Subgroup A-l-a includes those materials consisting predominantly of stone fragments or gravel, either with or
without a well-graded binder of fine material.
[Link] Subgroup A-l-b includes those materials consisting predominantly of coarse sand either with or without a
well-graded soil binder.
5.1.2 Group A-3-The typical material of this group is fine beach sand or fine desert blow sand without silty or clay fines
or with a very small amount of nonplastic silt. The group includes also stream-deposited mixtures of poorly-graded fine
sand and limited amounts of coarse sand and gravel.
5.1.3 Group A-2-This group includes a wide variety of "granular" materials which are border line between the materials
falling in Groups A-1 and A-3 and silt-clay materials of Groups A-4, A-5, A-6, and A-7. It includes all materials containing
35 percent or less passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve which cannot be classified as A- 1 or A-3, due to fines content or
plasticity or both, in excess of the limitation for those groups.
[Link] Subgroups A-2-4 and A-2-5 include various granular materials containing 35 percent or less passing the 0.075
mm (No. 200) sieve and with a minus 0.425 mm (No. 40) portion having the characteristics of the A-4 and A-5 groups.
These groups include such materials as gravel and coarse sand with silt contents or plasticity indexes in excess of the
limitations of Group A-1, and fine sand with nonplastic silt content in excess of the limitations of Group A-3.
[Link] Subgroups A-2-6 and A-2-7 include materials similar to those described under Subgroups A-2-4 and A-2-5
except that the fine portion contains plastic clay having the characteristics of the A-6 or A-7 group.

Note 2: Classification of materials in the vanous groups applies only to the fraction passing the 75 mm (3 in.) sieve.
Therefore, any specification regarding the use of A- 1, A-2, or A-3 materials in construction should state whether boulders
retained on 75 mm (3 in.) sieve are permitted.
5.2 Silt-Clay Materials-Containing more than 35 percent passing the 0.075 mm sieve.
5.2.1 Group A-4-The typical material of this group is a nonplastic or moderately plastic silty soil usually having 75
percent or more passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve. The group includes also mixtures of fine silty soil and up to 64
percent of sand and gravel retained on 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve.
5.2.2 Group A-5-The typical material of this group is similar to that described under Group A-4, except that it is usually
of diatomaceous or micaceous character and may be highly elastic as indicated by the high liquid limit.
5.2.3 Group A-6-The typical material of t is group is a plastic clay soil usually having 75 percent or more passing the
0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve. The group includes also mixtures of fine clayey soil and up to 64 percent of sand and gravel
retained on the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve. Materials of this group usually have high volume change between wet and dry
states.
5.2.4 Group A-7-The typical material of this group is similar to that described under Group A-6, except that it has the
high liquid limits characteristics of the A-5 group and may be elastic as well as subject to high volume change.
[Link] Subgroup A-7-5 includes those materials with moderate plasticity indexes in relation to liquid limit and which
may be highly elastic as well as subject to considerable volume change.
[Link] Subgroup A-7-6 includes those materials with high plasticity indexes in relation to liquid limit and which are
subject to extremely high volume change.

Note 3: Highly organic soils (peat or muck) may be classified in an A-8 group. Classification of these materials is based on
visual inspection, and is not dependent on percentage passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve, liquid limit or plasticity index.
The material is composed primarily of partially decayed organic matter, generally has a fibrous texture, dark brown or black
color and an odor of decay. These organic materials are unsuitable for use in embankments and subgrades. They are highly
compressible and have low strength.

6. Group Index
6.1 The group index is calculated from the following formula:

Group index = (F-35) [0.2 + 0.005 (LL-40) ] + 0.01 (F-15) (PI-10)

where:
F = percentage passing 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve, expressed as a whole number. This percentage is based only on the
material passing the 75 mm (3 in.) sieve,
LL = Liquid limit, and
Table of Contents
PI = Plasticity index.

6.1.1 When the calculated group index is negative, the group index shall be reported as zero (0).
6.1.2 The group index should be reported to the nearest whole number.
6.2 Fig. 1 may be used in estimating the group index, by determining the partial group index due to liquid limit and that
due to plasticity index, then obtaining the total of the two partial group indexes.
6.3 When calculating the group index of A-2-6 and A-2-7 subgroups, only the PI portion of the formula (or of Fig. 1)
shall be used.
6.4 The following are examples of calculations of the group index:
6.4.1 Assume that an A-6 material has 55 percent passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve, liquid limit of 40, and
plasticity index of 25. Then;
Group Index = (55-35) [0.2 + 0.005 (40-40)] + 0.01 (55-15) (25- 10) = 4.0 + 6.0 = 10.0 Report as 10.
6.4.2 Assume that an A-7 material has 80 percent passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve, liquid limit of 90, and
plasticity index of 10. Then;
Group Index = (80-35) [0.2 + 0.005 (90-40)] + 0.01 (80-15) (50- 10) = 20.3 + 26.0 = 46.3 Report as 46.
6.4.3 Assume that an A-4 material has 60 percent passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve, liquid limit of 25, and
plasticity index of 1. Then;
Group Index = (60-35) [0.2 + 0.005 (25-40)] + 0.01 (60-15) (1-10) = 3.1 − 4.1 = −1.0 Report as 0.
6.4.4 Assume that an A-2-7 material has 30 percent passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve, liquid limit of 50, and
plasticity index of 30. Then;
Group Index = (30-35) [0.2 + 0.005 (50-40)]+ 0.01 (30-15) (30-10) = 3.0 Report as 3.
Note that only the PI portion of formula was used.

7. Basis for Group Index Formula

7.1 The empirical group index formula devised for approximately within group evaluation of the "clayey granular
materials" and the "silt-clay materials" is based on the following assumptions:
7.1.1 Materials falling within Groups A-l-a, A-l-b, A-2-4, A-2-5, and A-3 are satisfactory as subgrade when, properly
drained and compacted under moderate thickness pavement (base and/or surface course) of a type suitable for the traffic to
be carried, or can be made satisfactory by additions of small amounts of natural or artificial binders.
7.1.2 Materials falling within the "clayey granular" Groups A-2-6 and A-2-7 and the silt-clay" Groups A-4, A-5, A-6,
11

and A-7 will range in quality as subgrade from the approximate equivalent of the good A-2-4 and A-2-5 subgrades to fair
and poor subgrades requiring a layer of subbase material or an increased thickness of base course over that required under
Sec 7. 1. 1, in order to furnish adequate support for traffic loads.
7.1.3 The assumed critical minimum percentage passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve is 35, neglecting placticity, and
15 where the plasticity index is greater than 10.
7.1.4 Liquid limits of 40 and above are assumed to be critical.
7.1.5 Plasticity indexes of 10 and above are assumed to be critical.
7.1.6 For soils that are non-plastic and when the liquid limit cannot be determined, the group index shall be considered
zero (0).
7.2 There is no upper limit of group index value obtained by use of the formula. The adopted critical values of
percentage passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve, liquid limit and plasticity index, are based on an evaluation of subgrade,
subbase and base course materials.
7.3 Under average conditions of good drainage and thorough compaction, the supporting value of a material as
subgrade may be assumed as an inverse ratio to its group index, that is, a group index of 0 indicates a "good" subgrade
material and group index of 20 or greater indicates a "very poor" subgrade material.

8. Report
8.1 The report and calculations shall be included on Form No. MRDWS 208/209.
Table of Contents

Table 1.
Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate
Mixtures

General Classification Granular Materials Silt-Clay Materials

(35% or less passing 0.075 mm) (More than 35% passing 0 07 5 mm)
Group Classification A-1 a A-2 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-7
A-3
Sieve Analysis,
Percent Passing:
2.00 mm (No 10) − − − − − − −
0.425mm(No.40). 50 max 51 min. − − − − −
0.075mm (No 200) 25 max 10 max 35 max 36 min 36 Min 36 min 36 min
Characteristics of Fraction
Passing 0.425 mm
(No. 40)
Liquid Limit − − b 40 max. 41 min. 40 max. 41 min
Plasticity Index 6 max. N. P. b 10 max. 10 max. 11 min 11 min.
General Rating as
Subgrade Excellent to Good Fair to Poor
a
The Placing of A-3 Before A-2 is Necessary in the "Left to Right Elimination Process" and Does Not Indicate
Superiority of A-3 Over A-2.
b
See Table 2 for Values.

Table 2.
Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate
Mixtures

General Classification Granular Materials Silt-Clay Materials

(35% or less passing 0.075 mm) (More than 35% passing 0.075 mm)

A-1 A-2 A-7

Group Classification A-1-a A-1-b A-3 A-2-4 A-2-5 A-2-6 A-2-7 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-7-5
A-7-6
Sieve Analysis,
Percent Passing.
2 00 mm (No 10) 50 max − − − − − − − − − −
0.425 mm (No 40) 30 max 50 max 51 min − − − − − − − −
0075mm (No 200) 15max 25max 10max 35max 35max 35max 35−max 36 min 36 min 36 min 36 min
Characteristics of Fraction
Passing 0.425 mm
(No 40)
Liquid Limit 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min 40 max 41 min
Plasticity Index 6 max NP 10max 10max 11 min 11min 10max 10max 11 min a
11 min
Usual Types of Significant
Constituent Materials Stone Fragments, Fine Silty or Clayey Gravel and Sand Silty Soils Clayey Sods
Gravel and Sand Sand
General Rating as
Subgrade Excellent to Good Fair to Poor
a
Plasticity Index of A-7-5 Subgroup is Equal to or Less Than LL Minus 30 Plasticity Index of A-7-6 Subgroup is Greater
Than LL Minus 30 (See Figure 2)