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Geotechnical Engineering 1 Experiment 8

Visual Classification of Soils

Objective: To visually classify the soils.

Standard Reference:
ASTM D 2488 - Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual - Manual
Procedure)

Discussion:
The first step in any geotechnical engineering project is to identify and describe the subsoil
condition. For example, as soon as a ground is identified as gravel, engineer can immediately form some
ideas on the nature of problems that might be encountered in a tunneling project. In contrast, a soft clay
ground is expected to lead to other types of design and construction considerations. Therefore, it is useful to
have a systematic procedure for identification of soils even in the planning stages of a project.
Soils can be classified into two general categories: (1) coarse grained soils and (2) fine grained soils.
Examples of coarse-grained soils are gravels and sands. Examples of fine-grained soils are silts and clays.
Procedures for visually identifying these two general types of soils are described in the following sections.

Equipment: Magnifying glass (optional)

Identification Procedure:
a. Identify the color (e.g. brown, gray, brownish gray), odor (if any) and texture (coarse or fine-grained)
of soil.

b. Identify the major soil constituent (>50% by weight) using Table 1 as coarse gravel, fine gravel,
coarse sand, medium sand, fine sand, or fines.
c. Estimate percentages of all other soil constituents using Table 1 and the following terms:
Trace - 0 to 10% by weight

Little - 10 to 20%

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 Some - 20 to 30%

And - 30 to 50%

(Examples: trace fine gravel, little silt, some clay)

d. If the major soil constituent is sand or gravel:

Identify particle distribution. Describe as well graded or poorly graded. Well-graded
soil consists of particle sizes over a wide range. Poorly graded soil consists of particles which
are all about the same size.
Identify particle shape (angular, subangular, rounded, subrounded) using Figure 1 and Table
2.

e. If the major soil constituents are fines, perform the following tests:

Dry strength test: Mold a sample into 1/8" size ball and let it dry. Test the strength of
the dry sample by crushing it between the fingers. Describe the strength as none, low,
medium, high or very high depending on the results of the test as shown in Table 3(a).

Dilatancy Test: Make a sample of soft putty consistency in your palm. Then observe the
reaction during shaking, squeezing (by closing hand) and vigorous tapping. The reaction is
rapid, slow or none according to the test results given in Table 3(b). During dilatancy test,
vibration densifies the silt and water appears on the surface. Now on squeezing, shear
stresses are applied on the densified silt. The dense silt has a tendency for volume increase
or dilatancy due to shear stresses. So the water disappears from the surface. Moreover, silty
soil has a high permeability, so the water moves quickly. In clay, we see no change, no shiny
surface, in other words, no reaction.

Plasticity (or Toughness) Test: Roll the samples into a thread about 1/8" in diameter.
Fold the thread and reroll it repeatedly until the thread crumbles at a diameter of 1/8".
Note (a) the pressure required to roll the thread when it is near crumbling, (b) whether it
can support its own weight, (c) whether it can be molded back into a coherent mass, and (d)
whether it is tough during kneading. Describe the plasticity and toughness according to the
criteria in Tables 3(c) and 3(d). A low to medium toughness and non-plastic to low plasticity
is the indication that the soil is silty; otherwise the soil is clayey. Based on dry strength,
dilatancy and toughness, determine soil symbol based on Table 4.

f. Identify moisture condition (dry, moist, wet or saturated) using Table 5.

g. Record visual classification of the soil in the following order: color, major constituent, minor
constituents, particle distribution and particle shape (if major constituent is coarse-grained), plasticity (if
major constituent is fine-grained), moisture content, soil symbol (if major constituent is fine-grained).

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 Examples of coarse-grained soils:
Soil 1: Brown fine gravel, some coarse to fine sand, trace silt, trace clay, well graded, angular,
dry.
Soil 2: Gray coarse sand, trace medium to fine sand, some silt, trace clay, poorly graded,
rounded, saturated.

Examples of fine-grained soils:

Soil A: Brown lean clay, trace coarse to fine sand, medium plasticity, moist, CL.
Soil B: Gray clayey silt, trace fine sand, non-plastic, saturated, ML.

Laboratory Exercise:
You will be given three different soil samples. Visually classify these soils.
Record all information on the attached forms.

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 1)

Soil Number: A
Classified by: _______________
Date: October 13,2023
1. Color Dark Brown
2. Odor Earthy
3. Texture : Fine Grained
4. Major soil constituent: Fine
5. Minor soil constituents: Sand
Type Approx. % by weight
____Fine_____ ___90%____
______Sand___ ____10%___

_________ _______

6. For coarse-grained soils: Gradation: ____Poorly_______ Particle Shape: _____Rounded______

7. For fine-grained soils:
Dry Strength _____Medium _____

Dilatancy ____Slow______

Plasticity _____Medium_____

Toughness ______Medium____

Soil Symbol ____CL______

8. Moisture Condition: ___Wet_______

Classification:Fine Coarse, Rounded, Wet Soil

2)

Soil Number: ______B_________

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 Classified by: _______________
Date: _______________
1. Color ______Light Brown___________
2. Odor No Odor_________________
3. Texture ____Coarse Grained______________
4. Major soil constituent: ____Sand_______
5. Minor soil constituents: _____Gravel_____
Type Approx. % by weight
____Gravel_____ ___40%____
___Sand______ __59%_____

___Fine______ ___1%____

6. For coarse-grained soils: Gradation: ____Well Graded_______ Particle Shape: Angular

7. For fine-grained soils:
Dry Strength _____None_____

Dilatancy _____None_____

Plasticity _____Low_____

Toughness ____Low______

Soil Symbol _____ML_____

8. Moisture Condition: ____Dry______

Classification:Coarse Grained, Well Graded, Angular, Dry Soil

3)

Soil Number: _______C________

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 Classified by: _______________
Date: _______________
1. Color _______Dark Brown__________
2. Odor No Odor_________________
3. Texture _______Fine Grained___________
4. Major soil constituent: ___Fine________
5. Minor soil constituents: ____Sand______
Type Approx. % by weight
____Fine_______70%_____
____Sand________30%____________ _______

6. For coarse-grained soils: Gradation: __Poorly Graded_________

7. Particle Shape: __Rounded_________

8. For fine-grained soils:

Dry Strength ____Low______

Dilatancy ____Slow______

Plasticity ___Low_______

Toughness _____Low_____

Soil Symbol _____ML_____

9. Moisture Condition: __Moist________

Classification:Fine Grained, Poorly Graded, Rounded, Moist Soil

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OBSERVATION:
A has a darker color of soil than B, whereas C had more water. Due to its greater
ability to stretch than the other soils, soil A is likewise more plastic.
CONCLUSION:
When soil is properly hydrated, it becomes more plastic.
RECOMMENDATION:
I recommend that in order to view it more clearly and understand them better, we
need more soil.

DOCUMENTATION:

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