This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D2487 − 17´1

Standard Practice for

Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified
Soil Classification System)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2487; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

ε1 NOTE—Footnote L in Table 1 was editorially corrected in April 2020.

1. Scope* is the Airfield Classification System developed by A. Casa-

1.1 This practice describes a system for classifying mineral grande in the early 1940s.2 It became known as the Unified
and organo-mineral soils for engineering purposes based on Soil Classification System when several U.S. Government
laboratory determination of particle-size characteristics, liquid Agencies adopted a modified version of the Airfield System in
limit, and plasticity index and shall be used when precise 1952.
classification is required. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 1—Use of this standard will result in a single classification group
symbol and group name except when a soil contains 5 to 12 % fines or responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
when the plot of the liquid limit and plasticity index values falls into the priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
crosshatched area of the plasticity chart. In these two cases, a dual symbol mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
is used, for example, GP-GM, CL-ML. When the laboratory test results 1.7 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
indicate that the soil is close to another soil classification group, the one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
borderline condition can be indicated with two symbols separated by a
slash. The first symbol should be the one based on this standard, for education or experience and should be used in conjunction
example, CL/CH, GM/SM, SC/CL. Borderline symbols are particularly with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
useful when the liquid limit value of clayey soils is close to 50. These soils be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
can have expansive characteristics and the use of a borderline symbol intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
(CL/CH, CH/CL) will alert the user of the assigned classifications of
expansive potential.
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
1.2 The group symbol portion of this system is based on a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
laboratory tests performed on the portion of a soil sample title of this document means only that the document has been
passing the 3-in. (75-mm) sieve (see Specification E11). approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.3 As a classification system, this standard is limited to 1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
naturally occurring soils. dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
NOTE 2—The group names and symbols used in this test method may ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale, Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
claystone, shells, crushed rock, etc. See Appendix X2. mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.4 This standard is for qualitative application only. Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
NOTE 3—When quantitative information is required for detailed designs
2. Referenced Documents
of important structures, this test method must be supplemented by
laboratory tests or other quantitative data to determine performance 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
characteristics under expected field conditions. C117 Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200)
1.5 This standard is the ASTM version of the Unified Soil Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
Classification System. The basis for the classification scheme

1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Casagrande, A., “Classification and Identification of Soils,” Transactions,
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and ASCE, 1948 , p. 901.
3
Classification of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2017. Published January 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D2487 – 11. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2487-17E01. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D2487 − 17´1
TABLE 1 Soil Classification Chart
Soil Classification
Criteria for Assigning Group Symbols and Group Names Using Laboratory TestsA Group
Group NameB
Symbol
COARSE-GRAINED Gravels Clean Gravels Cu $ 4.0 and GW Well-graded gravelE
SOILS (More than 50 % (Less than 5 % finesC ) 1 # Cc # 3.0D
of coarse fraction retained Cu < 4.0 and/or GP Poorly graded gravelE
on [Cc < 1 or Cc > 3.0]D
No. 4 sieve) Gravels with Fines Fines classify as ML or GM Silty gravelE,F,G
(More than 12 % finesC ) MH
Fines classify as CL or GC Clayey gravelE,F,G
More than 50 % CH
retained on No. 200 sieve Sands Clean Sands Cu $ 6.0 and SW Well-graded sandI
(50 % or more of coarse (Less than 5 % finesH ) 1.0 # Cc # 3.0D
fraction passes Cu < 6.0 and/or SP Poorly graded sandI
No. 4 sieve) [Cc < 1.0 or Cc > 3.0]D
Sands with Fines Fines classify as ML or SM Silty sandF,G,I
(More than 12 % finesH ) MH
Fines classify as CL or SC Clayey sandF,G,I
CH
FINE-GRAINED SOILS Silts and Clays inorganic PI > 7 and plots on or CL Lean clayK,L,M
above “A” lineJ
Liquid limit PI < 4 or plots below “A” ML SiltK ,L,M
less than 50 lineJ
Liquid limit − oven dried
organic < 0.75 OL Organic clayK,L,M,N
Liquid limit − not dried
50 % or more Organic siltK,L,M,O
passes the No. 200 sieve Silts and Clays inorganic PI plots on or above “A” CH Fat clayK ,L,M
line
Liquid limit PI plots below “A” line MH Elastic siltK,L,M
50 or more
Liquid limit − oven dried
organic < 0.75 OH Organic clayK,L,M,P
Liquid limit − not dried
Organic siltK,L,M,Q
HIGHLY ORGANIC SOILS Primarily organic matter, dark in color, and organic odor PT Peat
A
Based on the material passing the 3-in. (75-mm) sieve.
B
If field sample contained cobbles or boulders, or both, add “with cobbles or boulders, or both” to group name.
C
Gravels with 5 to 12 % fines require dual symbols:
GW-GM well-graded gravel with silt
GW-GC well-graded gravel with clay
GP-GM poorly graded gravel with silt
GP-GC poorly graded gravel with clay
D
s D 30d 2
Cu5D 60/D 10 Cc5
D 103D 60
E
If soil contains $15 % sand, add “with sand” to group name.
F
If fines classify as CL-ML, use dual symbol GC-GM, or SC-SM.
G
If fines are organic, add “with organic fines” to group name.
H
Sands with 5 to 12 % fines require dual symbols:
SW-SM well-graded sand with silt
SW-SC well-graded sand with clay
SP-SM poorly graded sand with silt
SP-SC poorly graded sand with clay
I
If soil contains $15 % gravel, add “with gravel” to group name.
J
If Atterberg limits plot in hatched area, soil is a CL-ML, silty clay.
K
If soil contains 15 to <30 % plus No. 200, add “with sand” or “with gravel,” whichever is predominant.
L
If soil contains $30 % plus No. 200, predominantly sand, add “sandy” to group name.
M
If soil contains $30 % plus No. 200, predominantly gravel, add “gravelly” to group name.
N
PI $ 4 and plots on or above “A” line.
O
PI < 4 or plots below “A” line.
P
PI plots on or above “A” line.
Q
PI plots below “A” line.

C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
Aggregates (Visual-Manual Procedures)
C702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Size Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Used in Engineering Design and Construction
Fluids D4083 Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual-
D1140 Test Methods for Determining the Amount of Mate- Manual Procedure)
rial Finer than 75-µm (No. 200) Sieve in Soils by Washing D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water Plasticity Index of Soils
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass D4427 Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing

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 D2487 − 17´1
D6913 Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Grada- 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tion) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis 3.2.1 coeffıcient of curvature, Cc—the ratio (D30 ) 2 /
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test (D10 × D60), where D60, D30, and D10 are the particle sizes
Sieves corresponding to 60, 30, and 10 % finer on the cumulative
particle-size distribution curve, respectively.
3. Terminology
3.2.2 coeffıcient of uniformity, Cu—the ratio D60/D10, where
3.1 Definitions: D60 and D10 are the particle diameters corresponding to 60 and
3.1.1 Except as listed below, all definitions are in accor- 10 % finer on the cumulative particle-size distribution curve,
dance with Terminology D653. respectively.
NOTE 4—For particles retained on a 3-in. (75-mm) U.S. standard sieve,
the following definitions are suggested: 4. Summary
Cobbles—particles of rock that will pass a 12-in. (300-mm) square
opening and be retained on a 3-in. (75-mm) U.S. standard sieve, and 4.1 As illustrated in Table 1, this classification system
Boulders—particles of rock that will not pass a 12-in. (300-mm) square identifies three major soil divisions: coarse-grained soils,
opening. fine-grained soils, and highly organic soils. These three divi-
3.1.2 clay—soil passing a No. 200 (75-µm) U.S. standard sions are further subdivided into a total of 15 basic soil groups.
sieve that can be made to exhibit plasticity (putty-like proper- 4.2 Based on the results of visual observations and pre-
ties) within a range of water contents and that exhibits scribed laboratory tests, a soil is catalogued according to the
considerable strength when air dry. For classification, a clay is basic soil groups, assigned a group symbol(s) and name, and
a fine-grained soil, or the fine-grained portion of a soil, with a thereby classified. The flow charts, Figs. 1 and 2 for fine-
plasticity index equal to or greater than 4, and the plot of grained soils, and Fig. 3 for coarse-grained soils, can be used
plasticity index versus liquid limit falls on or above the “A” to assign the appropriate group symbol(s) and name.
line.
3.1.3 gravel—particles of rock that will pass a 3-in. (75- 5. Significance and Use
mm) sieve and be retained on a No. 4 (4.75-mm) U.S. standard 5.1 This standard classifies soils from any geographic loca-
sieve with the following subdivisions: tion into categories representing the results of prescribed
Coarse—passes 3-in. (75-mm) sieve and retained on 3⁄4-in. laboratory tests to determine the particle-size characteristics,
(19-mm) sieve, and the liquid limit, and the plasticity index.
Fine—passes 3⁄4-in. (19-mm) sieve and retained on No. 4
(4.75-mm) sieve. 5.2 The assigning of a group name and symbol(s) along
3.1.4 organic clay—a clay with sufficient organic content to with the descriptive information required in Practice D2488
influence the soil properties. For classification, an organic clay can be used to describe a soil to aid in the evaluation of its
is a soil that would be classified as a clay except that its liquid significant properties for engineering use.
limit value after oven drying is less than 75 % of its liquid limit 5.3 The various groupings of this classification system have
value before oven drying. been devised to correlate in a general way with the engineering
3.1.5 organic silt—a silt with sufficient organic content to behavior of soils. This standard provides a useful first step in
influence the soil properties. For classification, an organic silt any field or laboratory investigation for geotechnical engineer-
is a soil that would be classified as a silt except that its liquid ing purposes.
limit value after oven drying is less than 75 % of its liquid limit
5.4 This standard may also be used as an aid in training
value before oven drying.
personnel in the use of Practice D2488.
3.1.6 peat—a soil composed of vegetable tissue in various
stages of decomposition usually with an organic odor, a 5.5 This standard may be used in combination with Practice
dark-brown to black color, a spongy consistency, and a texture D4083 when working with frozen soils.
ranging from fibrous to amorphous. NOTE 5—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con-
3.1.7 sand—particles of rock that will pass a No. 4 (4.75- tained in this standard: The precision of this test method is dependent on
mm) sieve and be retained on a No. 200 (75-µm) U.S. standard the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the
sieve with the following subdivisions: equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice
D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective
Coarse—passes No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve and retained on No. testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with
10 (2.00-mm) sieve, Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing
Medium—passes No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve and retained on depends on several factors; Practice D3740 provides a means for
No. 40 (425-µm) sieve, and evaluating some of those factors.
Fine—passes No. 40 (425-µm) sieve and retained on No.
200 (75-µm) sieve. 6. Apparatus
3.1.8 silt—soil passing a No. 200 (75-µm) U.S. standard 6.1 A plasticity chart, similar to Fig. 4, and a cumulative
sieve that is nonplastic or very slightly plastic and that exhibits particle-size distribution curve, similar to Fig. 5, are required.
little or no strength when air dry. For classification, a silt is a
NOTE 6—The “U” line shown on Fig. 4 has been empirically deter-
fine-grained soil, or the fine-grained portion of a soil, with a mined to be the approximate “upper limit” for natural soils. It is a good
plasticity index less than 4 or if the plot of plasticity index check against erroneous data, and any test results that plot above or to the
versus liquid limit falls below the “A” line. left of it should be verified.

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 D2487 − 17´1

FIG. 1 Flow Chart for Classifying Fine-Grained Soil (50 % or More Passes No. 200 Sieve)

FIG. 2 Flow Chart for Classifying Organic Fine-Grained Soil (50 % or More Passes No. 200 Sieve)

7. Classification of Peat amorphous texture, a dark-brown to black color, and an organic

7.1 A sample that is composed primarily of vegetative tissue odor shall be classified as peat, PT, and not subjected to the
in various stages of decomposition and has a fibrous to classification procedures described hereafter.

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 D2487 − 17´1

FIG. 3 Flow Chart for Classifying Coarse-Grained Soils (More Than 50 % Retained on No. 200 Sieve)

7.2 If desired, classification of type of peat can be per- C117, if applicable. A semi-log plot of percent passing versus
formed in accordance with Classification D4427. partical-size or sieve size/sieve number is plotted as shown in
Fig. 5.
8. Preparation for Classification 8.4.2 For soils estimated to contain 5 to 15 % fines, a
8.1 Before a soil can be classified according to this standard, cumulative particle-size distribution curve, as described in
generally the particle-size distribution of the minus 3-in. 8.4.1, is required, and the liquid limit and plasticity index in
(75-mm) material and the plasticity characteristics of the minus accordance with Test Method D4318 are required.
No. 40 (425-µm) sieve material must be determined. See 8.4 8.4.2.1 If sufficient material is not available to determine the
for the specific required tests. liquid limit and plasticity index, the fines should be estimated
8.2 Although the test procedure used in determining the to be either silty or clayey using the procedures described in
particle-size distribution or other considerations may require a Practice D2488 and so noted in the report.
hydrometer analysis of the material, a hydrometer analysis is 8.4.3 For soils estimated to contain 15 % or more fines, a
not necessary for soil classification. determination of the percent fines, percent sand, and percent
gravel is required, and the liquid limit and plasticity index, as
8.3 The percentage (by dry weight) of any plus 3-in. described in 8.4.2, are required. For soils estimated to contain
(75-mm) material must be determined and reported as auxiliary 90 % fines or more, the percent fines, percent sand, and percent
information. The maximum particle size shall be determined gravel may be estimated instead, using the procedures de-
(measured or estimated) and reported as auxiliary information. scribed in Practice D2488, and so noted in the report.
8.4 The tests results required for classification are as fol- 9. Preliminary Classification Procedure
lows:
8.4.1 For soils estimated to contain less than 5 % fines, a 9.1 Classify the soil as fine-grained if 50 % or more by dry
plot of the cumulative particle-size distribution curve of the mass of the test specimen passes the No. 200 (75-µm) sieve and
fraction coarser than the No. 200 (75-µm) sieve is required. follow Section 10.
The cumulative particle-size distribution shall be performed in 9.2 Classify the soil as coarse-grained if more than 50 % by
accordance with Test Method D6913, or with Test Method dry mass of the test specimen is retained on the No. 200
C136 after performing Test Method D1140 or Test Method (75-µm) sieve and follow Section 11.

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 D2487 − 17´1

FIG. 4 Plasticity Chart

FIG. 5 Cumulative Particle-Size Plot

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 D2487 − 17´1
10. Procedure for Classification of Fine-Grained Soils index versus liquid-limit plot falls on or above the “A” line.
(50 % or more by dry mass passing the No. 200 (75-µm) See area identified as OH on Fig. 4.
sieve)
10.4 If less than 30 % but 15 % or more of the test specimen
10.1 The soil is an inorganic clay if the position of the is retained on the No. 200 (75-µm) sieve, the words“ with
plasticity index versus liquid limit plot, Fig. 4, falls on or above sand” or “with gravel” (whichever is predominant) shall be
the “A” line, the plasticity index is greater than 4, and the added to the group name. For example, lean clay with sand,
presence of organic matter does not influence the liquid limit as CL; silt with gravel, ML. If the percent of sand is equal to the
described in 10.3.2. percent of gravel, use “with sand.”
10.1.1 Classify the soil as a lean clay, CL, if the liquid limit 10.5 If 30 % or more of the test specimen is retained on the
is less than 50. See area identified as CL on Fig. 4. No. 200 (75-µm) sieve, the words “sandy” or“ gravelly” shall
10.1.2 Classify the soil as a fat clay, CH, if the liquid limit be added to the group name. Add the word “sandy” if 30 % or
is 50 or greater. See area identified as CH on Fig. 4. more of the test specimen is retained on the No. 200 (75-µm)
NOTE 7—In cases where the liquid limit exceeds 110 or the plasticity sieve and the coarse-grained portion is predominantly sand.
index exceeds 60, the plasticity chart may be expanded by maintaining the Add the word “gravelly” if 30 % or more of the test specimen
same scale on both axes and extending the “A” line at the indicated slope. is retained on the No. 200 (75-µm) sieve and the coarse-grained
10.1.3 Classify the soil as a silty clay, CL-ML, if the portion is predominantly gravel. For example, sandy lean clay,
position of the plasticity index versus liquid limit plot falls on CL; gravelly fat clay, CH; sandy silt, ML. If the percent of sand
or above the “A” line and the plasticity index is in the range of is equal to the percent of gravel, use “sandy.”
4 to 7. See area identified as CL-ML on Fig. 4.
11. Procedure for Classification of Coarse-Grained Soils
10.2 The soil is an inorganic silt if the position of the (more than 50 % retained on the No. 200 (75-µm) sieve)
plasticity index versus liquid limit plot, Fig. 4, falls below the
“A” line or the plasticity index is less than 4, and presence of 11.1 Classify the soil as gravel if more than 50 % of the
organic matter does not influence the liquid limit as determined coarse fraction [plus No. 200 (75-µm) sieve] is retained on the
in 10.3.2. No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve.
NOTE 8—If performance of the Atterberg Limits test results in the soil 11.2 Classify the soil as sand if 50 % or more of the coarse
being reported as nonplastic (D4318, 11.4), then assign the plasticity index fraction [plus No. 200 (75-µm) sieve] passes the No. 4
a value of zero for classification purposes because the plotted result will (4.75-mm) sieve.
fall below the “A” line.
11.3 If 12 % or less of the test specimen passes the No. 200
10.2.1 Classify the soil as a silt, ML, if the liquid limit is
(75-µm) sieve, plot the cumulative particle-size distribution,
less than 50. See area identified as ML on Fig. 4.
Fig. 5, and compute the coefficient of uniformity, Cu, and
10.2.2 Classify the soil as an elastic silt, MH, if the liquid coefficient of curvature, Cc, as given in Eqs 1 and 2.
limit is 50 or greater. See area identified as MH on Fig. 4.
Cu 5 D 60/D 10 (1)
10.3 The soil is an organic silt or clay if organic matter is 2
Cc 5 ~ D 30! / ~ D 10 3 D 60! (2)
present in sufficient amounts to influence the liquid limit as where:
determined in 10.3.2.
10.3.1 If the soil has a dark color and an organic odor when D10, D30, and D60 = the particle-size diameters correspond-
moist and warm, a second liquid limit test in accordance with ing to 10, 30, and 60 %, respectively, passing on the cumula-
D4318 shall be performed on a test specimen which has been tive particle-size distribution curve, Fig. 5.
oven dried at 110 6 5°C to a constant mass.
NOTE 9—It may be necessary to extrapolate the curve to obtain the D10
10.3.2 The soil is an organic silt or organic clay if the liquid diameter.
limit after oven drying is less than 75 % of the liquid limit of
the original specimen determined before oven drying. 11.3.1 If less than 5 % of the test specimen passes the No.
200 (75-µm) sieve, classify the soil as a well-graded gravel,
10.3.3 Classify the soil as an organic silt or organic clay,
GW, or well-graded sand, SW, if Cu is greater than or equal to
OL, if the liquid limit (not oven dried) is less than 50 %.
4.0 for gravel or greater than 6.0 for sand, and Cc is at least 1.0
Classify the soil as an organic silt, OL, if the plasticity index
but not more than 3.0.
is less than 4, or the position of the plasticity index versus
liquid limit plot falls below the “A” line. Classify the soil as an 11.3.2 If less than 5 % of the test specimen passes the No.
organic clay, OL, if the plasticity index is 4 or greater and the 200 (75-µm) sieve, classify the soil as poorly graded gravel,
position of the plasticity index versus liquid limit plot falls on GP, or poorly graded sand, SP, if either the Cu or the Cc
or above the “A” line. See area identified as OL (or CL-ML) on criteria for well-graded soils are not satisfied.
Fig. 4. 11.4 If more than 12 % of the test specimen passes the No.
10.3.4 Classify the soil as an organic clay or organic silt, 200 (75-µm) sieve, the soil shall be considered a coarse-
OH, if the liquid limit (not oven dried) is 50 or greater. Classify grained soil with fines. The fines are determined to be either
the soil as an organic silt, OH, if the position of the plasticity clayey or silty based on the plasticity index versus liquid limit
index versus liquid limit plot falls below the “A” line. Classify plot on Fig. 4. (See 8.4.2.1 if insufficient material available for
the soil as an organic clay, OH, if the position of the plasticity testing).

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 D2487 − 17´1
11.4.1 Classify the soil as a clayey gravel, GC, or clayey 11.7 If the field sample contained any cobbles or boulders or
sand, SC, if the fines are clayey, that is, the position of the both, the words “with cobbles,” or “with cobbles and boulders”
plasticity index versus liquid limit plot, Fig. 4, falls on or above shall be added to the group name. For example, silty gravel
the “A” line and the plasticity index is greater than 7. with cobbles, GM.
11.4.2 Classify the soil as a silty gravel, GM, or silty sand, 12. Report: Test Data Sheet(s)/Form(s)
SM, if the fines are silty, that is, the position of the plasticity 12.1 A complete description shall include the group name,
index versus liquid limit plot, Fig. 4, falls below the “A” line group symbol, and the results of the laboratory tests. The
or the plasticity index is less than 4. particle-size distribution shall be given in terms of percent of
11.4.3 If the fines plot as a silty clay, CL-ML, classify the gravel, sand, and fines. The plot of the cumulative particle-size
soil as a silty, clayey gravel, GC-GM, if it is a gravel or a silty, distribution curve shall be reported if used in classifying the
clayey sand, SC-SM, if it is a sand. soil. The results of the Atterberg limits tests shall be reported
if used in classifying the soil. Report appropriate descriptive
11.5 If 5 to 12 % of the test specimen passes the No. 200
information according to the procedures in Practice D2488. A
(75-µm) sieve, give the soil a dual classification using two local or commercial name or geologic interpretation for the
group symbols. material may be added at the end of the descriptive information
11.5.1 The first group symbol shall correspond to that for a if identified as such.
gravel or sand having less than 5 % fines (GW, GP, SW, SP), 12.2 The specimen preparation and test procedures used
and the second symbol shall correspond to a gravel or sand shall be referenced in the report.
having more than 12 % fines (GC, GM, SC, SM). NOTE 11—In some cases, because of a lack of space or a desire to
11.5.2 The group name shall correspond to the first group convey more information with the group symbol alone, the optional
abbreviated system presented in Appendix A3 may be more useful to
symbol plus “with clay” or “with silt” to indicate the plasticity indicate the soil classification symbol and name.
characteristics of the fines. For example, well-graded gravel NOTE 12—Example: Clayey Gravel with Sand and Cobbles (GC)—
with clay, GW-GC; poorly graded sand with silt, SP-SM (See 46 % fine to coarse, hard, subrounded gravel; 30 % fine to coarse, hard,
8.4.2.1 if sufficient material is not available for testing). subrounded sand; 24 % clayey fines, LL = 38, PI = 19; weak reaction with
HCl; original field sample had 4 % hard, subrounded cobbles; maximum
NOTE 10—If the fines plot as a silty clay, CL-ML, the second group dimension 150 mm.
symbol should be either GC or SC. For example, a poorly graded sand In-Place Conditions—firm, homogeneous, dry, brown,
with 10 % fines, a liquid limit of 20, and a plasticity index of 6 would be Geologic Interpretation—alluvial fan.
classified as a poorly graded sand with silty clay, SP-SC. NOTE 13—Other examples of soil descriptions are given in Appendix
X1.
11.6 If the specimen is predominantly sand or gravel but
contains 15 % or more of the other coarse-grained constituent, 13. Keywords
the words “with gravel” or “with sand” shall be added to the 13.1 Atterberg limits; classification; clay; gradation; gravel;
group name. For example, poorly graded gravel with sand, organic soils; particle-size distribution; sand; silt; soil classifi-
clayey sand with gravel. cation; soil tests; USCS

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. EXAMPLES OF DESCRIPTIONS USING SOIL CLASSIFICATION

X1.1 The following examples show how the information X1.1.3 Organic Clay (OL)—100 % fines, LL (not
required in 12.1 can be reported. The appropriate descriptive dried) = 32, LL (oven dried) = 21, PI (not dried) = 10; wet,
information from Practice D2488 is included for illustrative dark brown, organic odor, weak reaction with HCl.
purposes. The additional descriptive terms that would accom-
pany the soil classification should be based on the intended use X1.1.4 Silty Sand with Organic Fines (SM)—74 % fine to
of the classification and the individual circumstances. coarse, hard, subangular reddish sand; 26 % organic and silty
dark-brown fines, LL (not dried) = 37, LL (oven dried) = 26, PI
X1.1.1 Well-Graded Gravel with Sand (GW)—73 % fine to
(not dried) = 6, wet, weak reaction with HCl.
coarse, hard, subangular gravel; 23 % fine to coarse, hard,
subangular sand; 4 % fines; Cc = 2.7, Cu = 12.4. X1.1.5 Poorly Graded Gravel with Silt, Sand, Cobbles and
X1.1.2 Silty Sand with Gravel (SM)—61 % predominantly Boulders (GP-GM)—78 % fine to coarse, hard, subrounded to
fine sand; 23 % silty fines, LL = 33, PI = 6; 16 % fine, hard, subangular gravel; 16 % fine to coarse, hard, subrounded to
subrounded gravel; no reaction with HCl; (field sample smaller subangular sand; 6 % silty (estimated) fines; moist, brown; no
than recommended). In-Place Conditions—Firm, stratified and reaction with HCl; original field sample had 7 % hard, sub-
contains lenses of silt 1 to 2 in. thick, moist, brown to gray; rounded cobbles and 2 % hard, subrounded boulders with a
in-place density = 106 lb ⁄ft3 and in-place moisture = 9 %. maximum dimension of 18 in.

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 D2487 − 17´1

X2. USING SOIL CLASSIFICATION AS A DESCRIPTIVE SYSTEM FOR SHALE, CLAYSTONE, SHELLS, SLAG, CRUSHED
ROCK, ETC.

X2.1 The group names and symbols used in this standard After laboratory processing by slaking in water for 24 h,
may be used as a descriptive system applied to materials that material classified as “Sandy Lean Clay (CL)”—61 % clayey
exist in situ as shale, claystone, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, fines, LL = 37, PI = 16; 33 % fine to medium sand; 6 %
etc., but convert to soils after field or laboratory processing gravel-size pieces of shale.
(crushing, slaking, etc.).
X2.4.2 Crushed Sandstone—Product of commercial crush-
X2.2 Materials such as shells, crushed rock, slag, etc., ing operation; “Poorly Graded Sand with Silt (SP-SM)”—91 %
should be identified as such. However, the procedures used in fine to medium sand; 9 % silty (estimated) fines; dry, reddish-
this standard for describing the particle size and plasticity brown, strong reaction with HCl.
characteristics may be used in the description of the material.
If desired, a classification in accordance with this standard may X2.4.3 Broken Shells—65 % gravel-size broken shells;
be assigned to aid in describing the material. 31 % sand and sand-size shell pieces; 4 % fines; Cc = 2.4,
Cu = 1.9; would be classified as “Poorly Graded Gravel with
X2.3 If a classification is used, the group symbol(s) and
Sand (GP)”.
group names should be placed in quotation marks or noted with
some type of distinguishing symbol. See examples. X2.4.4 Crushed Rock—Processed gravel and cobbles from
Pit No. 7; “Poorly Graded Gravel (GP)”—89 % fine, hard,
X2.4 Examples of how soil classifications could be incor-
angular gravel-size particles; 11 % coarse, hard, angular sand-
porated into a description system for materials that
are not naturally occurring soils are as follows: size particles, dry, tan; no reaction with HCl; Cc = 2.4,
Cu = 0.9.
X2.4.1 Shale Chunks—Retrieved as 2- to 4-in. pieces of
shale from power auger hole, dry, brown, no reaction with HCl.

X3. ABBREVIATED SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYMBOLS

X3.1 In some cases, because of lack of space, an abbrevi- Prefix Suffix

ated system may be useful to indicate the soil classification s = sandy s = with sand
g = gravelly g = with gravel
symbol and name. Examples of such cases would be graphical c = cobbles
logs, databases, tables, etc. b = boulders

X3.4 The soil classification symbol is to be enclosed in

X3.2 This abbreviated system is not a substitute for the full
parentheses. Some examples would be:
name and descriptive information but can be used in supple-
Group Symbol and Full Name Abbreviated
mentary presentations when the complete description is refer- CL, Sandy lean clay s(CL)
enced. SP-Sm, Poorly graded sand with silt and (SP-SM)g
gravel
GP, poorly graded gravel with sand, (GP)scb
X3.3 The abbreviated system should consist of the soil cobbles, and
classification symbol based on this standard with appropri- boulders
ate lower case letter prefixes and suffixes as: ML, gravelly silt with sand and cobbles g(ML)sc

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this practice since the last issue, D2487–11,
that may impact the use of this practice. (December 15, 2017)

(1) Deleted Appendix X3 (Wet Preparation Method) and (3) Added Note 9 to provide guidance in instances where it is
Appendix X4 (Dry Preparation Method) since no tests are not possible to perform the plastic limit or the liquid limit test.
performed in this practice and the test method required (4) Removed the Precision and Bias section since it is not
thoroughly explain the wet and dry preparation method. applicable to practices.
(2) Changed instances of “weight” to “mass” throughout the
standard.

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 D2487 − 17´1
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