GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 3A (GTECIA2)

SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

KAVEH TAGHIZADEHTEFLISSI
Introduction
Soil Classification
➢There are several methods of soil classification.
➢Different soils with similar properties may be classified into groups and subgroups according to their engineering
behavior.
➢Classification systems provide a common language to concisely express the general characteristics of soils, which are
infinitely varied, without detailed descriptions.
➢Most of the soil classification systems that have been developed for engineering purposes are based on simple index
properties such as particle-size distribution and plasticity.
➢Although several classification systems are now in use, none is totally definitive of any soil for all possible applications
because of the wide diversity of soil properties.
➢In general, there are two major categories
➢classification based on the particle-size distribution
• The textural classification
➢classification based on the engineering behavior of soil (particle-size distribution and the plasticity )
• The AASHTO classification system
• The Unified classification system

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Soil Classification

➢ The Textural Classification System

➢ The AASHTO Classification System
➢ The Unified Classification System

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The Textural Classification System
The Textural Classification System

➢ Soil texture is influenced by the size of the individual

particles present in
➢ Soils are divided into gravel, sand, silt, and clay categories
on the basis of particle size.
➢ In most cases, natural soils are mixtures of particles from
several size groups.
➢ In the textural classification system, the soils are named
after their principal components, such as sandy clay, silty
clay, and so forth.
➢ This classification method is based on the particle-size
limits
• Sand size: 2.0 to 0.05 mm
• Silt size: 0.05 to 0.002 mm Note: this chart is based on only the fraction of soil
• Clay size: smaller than 0.002 mm that passes through the No. 10 sieve.

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Example 1

The particle size distribution of a soil shows 35% sand, 45% silt and 20% clay. Determine its textural
classification.

Given:
Sand=35%
Silt=45%
Clay=20%

Find:
Textural classification

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Example 1 loam

Given:
Sand=35%
Silt=45%
Clay=20%

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Example 2

The particle size distribution of a soil shows 30% sand, 40% silt and 30% clay. Determine its textural
classification.

Given:
Sand=30%
Silt=40%
Clay=30%

Find:
Textural classification

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Example 2 Clay loam

Given:
Sand=30%
Silt=40%
Clay=30%

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Example 3

The particle size distribution of a soil shows 50% sand, 5% silt and 45% clay. Determine its textural
classification.

Given:
Sand=50%
Silt=5%
Clay=45%

Find:
Textural classification

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Example 3 Sandy clay

Given:
Sand=50%
Silt=5%
Clay=45%

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If soil has Gravel

➢ If the sample contains a percentage that is larger than 2,00mm (Gravel), a correction is needed
➢ Calculate the modified percentages of sand, silt, and clay as follows:

% Sand
Modified % Sand =  100
100 − %Gravel
% Silt
Modified % Silt =  100
100 − %Gravel
%Clay
Modified %Clay =  100
100 − %Gravel
➢ The word gravelly is added to the classification of soils

e. g. Clay → Gravelly Clay

e. g. loan → Gravelly loan
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Example 4

The particle size distribution of a soil shows 12% gravel, 25% sand, 32% silt and 31% clay. Determine its
textural classification.

Given:
Gravel=12%
Sand=25%
Silt=32%
Clay=31%
% Sand 25
Modified % Sand =  100 =  100 = 28.41
Find: 100 − %Gravel 100 − 12
% Silt 32
Textural classification Modified % Silt =  100 =  100 = 36.36
100 − %Gravel 100 − 12
%Clay 31
Modified %Clay =  100 =  100 = 35.22
100 − %Gravel 100 − 12

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 Gravelly Clay loam
Example 4
Clay loam
Modified:
Sand=28.41%
Silt=36.36%
Clay=35.22%

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Example 5

The particle size distribution of a soil shows 18% gravel, 31% sand, 30% silt and 21% clay. Determine its
textural classification.

Given:
Gravel=18%
Sand=31%
Silt=30%
Clay=21%
% Sand 31
Modified % Sand =  100 =  100 = 37.80
Find: 100 − %Gravel 100 − 18
% Silt 30
Textural classification Modified % Silt =  100 =  100 = 36.59
100 − %Gravel 100 − 18
%Clay 21
Modified %Clay =  100 =  100 = 25.61
100 − %Gravel 100 − 18

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 Gravelly loam
Example 5
loam
Modified:
Sand=37.80%
Silt=36.59%
Clay=25.61%

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Example 6

The particle size distribution of a soil shows 0% gravel, 15% sand, 30% silt and 55% clay. Determine its
textural classification.

Given:
Gravel=0%
Sand=15%
Silt=30%
Clay=55%

Find:
Textural classification

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 Clay
Example 6

Modified:
Sand=15%
Silt=30%
Clay=55%

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Example 7

The particle size distribution of a soil shows 12% gravel, 22% sand, 26% silt and 40% clay. Determine its
textural classification.

Given:
Gravel=12%
Sand=22%
Silt=26%
Clay=40%
% Sand 22
Modified % Sand =  100 =  100 = 25.00
Find: 100 − %Gravel 100 − 12
% Silt 26
Textural classification Modified % Silt =  100 =  100 = 29.55
100 − %Gravel 100 − 12
%Clay 40
Modified %Clay =  100 =  100 = 45.45
100 − %Gravel 100 − 12

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 Gravelly Clay
Example 7

Modified: Clay
Sand=25.00%
Silt=29.55%
Clay=45.45%

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Classification By Engineering Behavior
Classification By Engineering Behavior

➢ The textural classification of soil is relatively simple, it is based entirely on the particle-size distribution.
➢ Because textural classification systems do not take plasticity into account and are not totally indicative
of many important soil properties, they are inadequate for most engineering purposes.
➢ The soils engineer must consider plasticity, which results from the presence of clay minerals, to interpret
soil characteristics properly.
➢ Currently, two more elaborate classification systems are commonly used by soils engineers.
• AASHTO Classification System
• Unified Soil Classification System
➢ Both systems take into consideration the particle-size distribution and Atterberg limits

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AASHTO Classification System
AASHTO Classification System

➢ American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) classification system.
➢ The AASHTO system of soil classification was developed in 1929
➢ The AASHTO classification system is used mostly for road pavement design.
➢ Soil is classified into 7 major groups
• A1 to A3: granular materials < 35% passing on No 200 sieve
• A4 to A7: mostly silt and clay > 35% passing the No 200 sieve

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AASHTO Classification System

This classification system is based on the following criteria:

➢ Grain size
• Gravel: fraction passing the 75-mm sieve and retained on the No. 10 (2-mm) U.S. sieve
• Sand: fraction passing the No. 10 (2-mm) U.S. sieve and retained on the No. 200 (0.075-mm) U.S. sieve
• Silt and clay: fraction passing the No. 200 U.S. sieve

➢ Plasticity:
• The term silty is applied when the fine fractions of the soil have a plasticity index of 10 or less.(PI<10)
• The term clayey is applied when the fine fractions have a plasticity index of 11 or more.(PI>11)

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Group Index (GI)

➢ AASHTO also uses a Group Index (GI) rating to compare different soils in the same group and it is
placed in parentheses after the classification number: e.g. A-2-7 (12)
➢ A smaller group index should have a better road performance than a soil with a larger one, within the
same group: A-2-6 (2) should be better than A-2-6 (4)

GI = ( F200 − 35)[0.2 + 0.005 ( LL − 40 )] + 0.01( F200 − 15)( PI − 10 )

F200=percentage passing through the sieve No. 200

LL=liquid limit
PI=plasticity index

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Group Index (GI)

Following are some rules for determining the group index:

➢ If Eq. yields a negative value for GI, it is taken as 0 (GI=0).
➢ GI calculated is rounded off to the nearest whole number
• e.g. , GI = 3.4 is rounded off to 3
• e.g. , GI = 3.5 is rounded off to 4
➢ There is no upper limit for the group index
➢ The group index of soils belonging to groups A-1-a, A-1-b, A-2-4, A-2-5, and A-3 is always 0.
➢ When calculating the group index for soils that belong to groups A-2-6 and A-2-7, use the partial group
index for PI, or

GI = 0.01( F200 − 15)( PI − 10 )

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AASHTO Classification System Outline

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AASHTO Classification System

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AASHTO Classification System Description of Classification Groups

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AASHTO Classification System Plasticity Chart

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Example 8

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

▪ Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 100
▪ Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 82
▪ Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

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Example 8

• % passing No 200 sieve = 38% > 35%, thus silt or clay

• From left to right, it is a A-7
• PI = 23, which is > LL- 30 thus a A-7-6
• Combined GI = 4
• Thus Soil 1: A-7-6(4)

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Example 8 Our sample has 38% passing the
No 200 sieve, thus it is not correct table
and move to next table
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

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Example 8 Our sample has 38% passing the No
200, thus correct table

▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

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Example 8
No value according to table
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

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Example 8
No value according to table
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

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Example 8
Our sample is 38%. Can be any
▪ %#10= 100 one, thus move down in table
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

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Example 8
Our sample has a LL=42, can be
▪ %#10= 100 any one. Thus move down in table
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

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Example 8
Our sample has a LL=42, PI=23.
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

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Example 8
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

23<(42-30=12) Not ok A-7-6

23>(42-30=12) Ok

GI = ( F200 − 35)[0.2 + 0.005( LL − 40)] + 0.01( F200 − 15)( PI − 10)

GI = (38 − 35)[0.2 + 0.005(42 − 40)] + 0.01(38 − 15)(23 − 10)
GI = 3.62  4.0  A − 7 − 6(4)

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Example 9

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

• Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 48
• Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 29
• Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 8
• PI=2

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Example 9

• % passing No 200 sieve = 8% < 35%, thus granular material

• From left to right in Table it is a A-1-a
• The Group Index is 0
• Thus Soil 2: A-1-a(0)

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Example 9 Our sample has 8% passing the No
200, thus correct table
▪ %#10= 48
▪ %#40= 29
▪ %#200=8
▪ PI=2

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Example 9
Our sample is 48%,
thus correct column
▪ %#10= 48
▪ %#40= 29
▪ %#200=8
▪ PI=2

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Example 9 Our sample is 29%,
thus correct column

▪ %#10= 48
▪ %#40= 29
▪ %#200=8
▪ PI=2

47
Example 9 Our sample is 8%,
thus correct column
▪ %#10= 48
▪ %#40= 29
▪ %#200=8
▪ PI=2

48
Example 9 Our sample has a PI = 2,
thus correct column
▪ %#10= 48
▪ %#40= 29
▪ %#200=8
▪ PI=2

A − 1 − a  GI = 0  A − 1 − a (0)

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Example 10

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

• Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 100
• Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 80
• Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 64
• LL=62
• PI=28

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Example 10

• % passing No 200 sieve = 64% >35%, so it is a silt or clay

• From left to right in Table: A-7-5
• GI = 18
• Thus Soil 3 is A-7-5(18)

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 Our sample has 64% passing the
Example 10 No 200 sieve, thus it is not correct table
and move to next table

▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

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Example 10 Our sample has 64% passing the No
200, thus correct table

▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

53
Example 10
No value according to table
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

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Example 10
No value according to table
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

55
Example 10
Our sample is 64%. Can be any
▪ %#10= 100 one, thus move down in table
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

56
Example 10
Our sample has a LL=62, can be
▪ %#10= 100 any one. Thus move down in table
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

57
Example 10

▪ %#10= 100
Our sample has a LL=62, PI=28.
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

58
Example 10

▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

28<(62-30=32) Ok A-7-5
28>(62-30=32) Not Ok

GI = ( F200 − 35)[0.2 + 0.005( LL − 40)] + 0.01( F200 − 15)( PI − 10)

GI = (64 − 35)[0.2 + 0.005(62 − 40)] + 0.01(64 − 15)(28 − 10)
GI = 17.81  18  A − 7 − 5(18)

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AASHTO Classification
System flow chart

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Example 8 38%< 35% No
Another Solution
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 82
▪ %#200=38
▪ LL=42
▪ PI=23

42< 40 No

23< 10 No

23< 11 No

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Example 9 8%< 35% Yes
Another Solution
▪ %#10= 48 29%< 50% Yes

▪ %#40= 29
▪ %#200=8
▪ PI=2 2< 6 Yes

8< 15 Yes

29< 30 Yes

48< 50 Yes

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Example 10 64%< 35% No
Another Solution
▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=64
▪ LL=62
▪ PI=28

62%< 50% No

28< 10 No

28< 34 Yes

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Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

➢ 1st proposed by Casagrande in 1942.

➢ Geotechnical engineers prefer Unified system
➢ The soil type is designated by two letters:
• 1st letter: main soil type
• 2nd letter: subdivision within that type

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Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

➢ Coarse-grained soils that are gravelly and sandy in nature with less than 50% passing through the No.
200 sieve.
• The group symbols start with a prefix of G or S.
• G stands for gravel or gravelly soil.
• S for sand or sandy soil.
➢ Fine-grained soils are with 50% or more passing through the No. 200 sieve.The group symbols start with
prefixes of :
• M for inorganic silt
• C for inorganic clay
• O for organic silts and clays
• Pt is used for peat, muck, and other highly organic soils

66
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

➢ 2nd letter , Other symbols used for the classification are:

• W = well graded
• P = poorly graded
• L = low plasticity (liquid limit less than 50)
• H = high plasticity (liquid limit more than 50)

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Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
IS 1726 – 1993 Classification

coarse grain soils fine grain soils

% of fines
0 5 12 50 YB 100
XY
e.g., SM e.g., CH

XA
e.g., GP XA-XY
e.g., GP-GC

X: Coarse Y: Fines A: Gradation B: Plasticity

G = Gravel M = Silts W = well graded H = LL > 50
S = Sands C = Clays P = poorly graded L = LL < 50
O=Organic
Pt=Peat

68
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

69
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

70
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

71
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

72
Unified Soil
Classification
System (USCS)

73
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

74
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

75
Unified Soil
Classification
System (USCS)

76
Unified Soil
Classification
System (USCS)

77
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
Plasticity Chart

78
Unified Soil
Classification System
(USCS)
Group Symbol

79
Unified Soil
Classification System
(USCS)
Group Symbol

80
Example 11

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

▪ Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 100
▪ Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 80
▪ Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 58
▪ The liquid limit and plasticity index fraction of the soil are 30 and 10, respectively.
Classify the soil by the Unified classification system.

81
Example 11
Liquid limit
PI
30%<50% OK
▪ %#10= 100 10>7 OK
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=58
▪ LL=30
▪ PI=10

Fine graned soils

58%>50% OK

82
Example 11

▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=58
▪ LL=30
▪ PI=10

83
Example 11

▪ %#10= 100
▪ %#40= 80
▪ %#200=58
▪ LL=30
▪ PI=10

84
Example 11

▪ %#10= 100 F4 = 100% ; R4= 0% ;

▪ %#40= 80 F200 = 58%; R 200= 100-58=42%
▪ %#200=58 GF=100-F4=100-100=0%
▪ LL=30 SF=F4-F200=100%-58%=42%
▪ PI=10

42%>0% OK 0%<15% OK
58%>30% OK

85
Example 12

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

▪ Percent passing the No. 4 sieve = 70
▪ Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 30
▪ The liquid limit and plasticity index fraction of the soil are 33 and 12, respectively.
Classify the soil by the Unified classification system.

86
 Coarse graned soils

Example 12 30% passes <50% OK

PI
▪ %#4= 70
12>7 OK
▪ %#200=30
▪ LL=33
▪ PI=12

70%>50% OK 30%>12% OK

87
Example 12

▪ %#4= 70
▪ %#200=30
▪ LL=33
▪ PI=12

F4 = 70% ; R4= 100-70=30% ;

F200 = 30%; R 200= (100 - 30) =70%
GF=100-F4=100-70=30%
SF=F4-F200=70%-30%=40%

30% >15% OK

88
Example 13

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

▪ Percent passing the No. 4 sieve = 94
▪ Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 63
▪ Percent passing the No. 20 sieve = 21
▪ Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 10
▪ Percent passing the No. 60 sieve = 7
▪ Percent passing the No. 100 sieve = 5
▪ Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 3
▪ D60=1.41mm,D30=0.96mm,D10=0.41mm
Classify the soil by the Unified classification system.

89
 Coarse graned soils

Example 13 3% passes <50% OK

▪ %#4= 94
▪ %#10=63
▪ %#20=21
▪ %#40=10
▪ %#60= 7
▪ %#100=5
Cu=3.34<6
▪ %#200=3 94%>50% OK 3%<5% OK
Cc=1.59

D60 1.41
Cu = = = 3.34
D10 0.41
D 2 30 0.962
Cc = = = 1.59
D10  D60 0.41  1.41

90
Example 13

▪ %#4= 94
▪ %#10=63
▪ %#20=21
▪ %#40=10
▪ %#60= 7
▪ %#100=5
▪ %#200=3 6% <15% OK

F4 = 94% ; R4= 100-94=6% ;

F200 = 3%; R 200= 100 - 3=97%
GF=100-F4=100-94=6%
SF=F4-F200=94-3=91%

91
Example 14

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

▪ Percent passing the No. 4 sieve = 69.3
▪ Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 59.1
▪ Percent passing the No. 20 sieve = 48.3
▪ Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 38.5
▪ Percent passing the No. 60 sieve = 28.4
▪ Percent passing the No. 100 sieve = 19.80
▪ Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 4.90
▪ D60=2mm,D30=0.29mm,D10=0.086mm
▪ LL=NP
Classify the soil by the Unified classification system.

92
 Coarse graned soils

Example 14 4.90% passes <50% OK

▪ %#4= 69.3
▪ %#10=59.1
▪ %#20=48.30
▪ %#40=38.5
▪ %#60= 28.4
▪ %#100=19.8
▪ %#200=4.90 4.9%<5% OK Cu=23.26>6
Cc=0.49

69.3%passes>50% OK

D60 2.0
Cu = = = 23.26
D10 0.086
D 2 30 0.292
Cc = = = 0.49
D10  D60 0.086  2.0

93
Example 14

▪ %#4= 69.3
▪ %#10=59.1
▪ %#20=48.30
▪ %#40=38.5
▪ %#60= 28.4
▪ %#100=19.8
▪ %#200=4.90 30.7% >15% OK
F4 = 69.3% ; R4= 100-69.30=30.70% ;
F200 = 4.90%; R 200= 100 – 4.90=95.1%
GF=100-F4=100-69.30=30.7%
SF=F4-F200=69.30-4.90=64.4%

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Example 15

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

▪ Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 68.5
▪ Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 36.1
▪ Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 21.90
▪ The liquid limit and plasticity index fraction of the soil are 34 and 17, respectively.
Classify the soil by the Unified classification system.

95
 Coarse graned soils

Example 15 21.90% passes <50% OK

▪ %#10=68.5
▪ %#40=36.1
▪ %#200=21.9
▪ LL=34
▪ PI=17

PI=17>7 OK
21.9%<12% OK
100%passes>50% OK

96
Example 15

▪ %#10=68.5
▪ %#40=36.1
▪ %#200=21.9
▪ LL=34
▪ PI=17

F4 = 100% ; R4= 100-100=0% ;

F200 = 21.9%; R 200= 100 – 21.9=78.1%
GF=100-F4=100-100=0% 0% <15% OK
SF=F4-F200=100-21.90=78.1%

97
Example 16

The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:

▪ Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 79.5
▪ Percent passing the No. 40 sieve = 69.0
▪ Percent passing the No. 200 sieve = 54.3
▪ The liquid limit and plasticity index fraction of the soil are 54 and 32, respectively.
Classify the soil by the Unified classification system.

98
Example 16

▪ %#10=79.5
▪ %#40=69.0
▪ %#200=54.3
▪ LL=54
▪ PI=32

Fine graned soils

54>50 OK
54.3% >50% OK

99
Example 16

▪ %#10=79.5
▪ %#40=69.0
▪ %#200=54.3
▪ LL=54
▪ PI=32

100
Example 16

▪ %#10=79.5 F4 = 100% ; R4= 0% ;

▪ %#40=69.0 F200 = 54.30%; R 200= 100-54.3=45.7%
▪ %#200=54.3 GF=100-F4=100-100=0%
▪ LL=54 SF=F4-F200=100%-54.3%=45.7%
▪ PI=32

54.3%>30% OK
45.70%>0% OK 0%<15% OK

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Comparison of the USCS with AASHTO Soil Classification

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THANK YOU