Chapter 2 and 3: Soil Classification and Soil Compaction

2. Introduction
According to the USCS classifica'on, soil is divided into: coarse grained soil, fine-grained soil, and highly
organic soil. The par<cle size distribu<on of soil and consistency limits are used in classifica'on of soils.

Soil Compaction is the process in which stress is applied to a soil causes densification as air is
displaced from the pores between the soil grains. When stress is applied that causes
densification due to water (or other liquid) being displaced from between the soil grains, then
consolidation, not compaction, has occurred. Normally, compaction is the result of heavy
machinery compressing the soil, but it can also occur due to the passage of, for example,
animal feet.

3. Learning Outcome
At the end of the course the student must be able to:
1. Apply basic mathematics, science and engineering principles to solve engineering problems,
2. Calculate the stresses transferred to underlying soils applied by the superstructural loads,
3. Deal with the estimation compressibility and settlement properties of soils for shallow
foundation footing design,
4. Design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data,
5. Be familiar with soil mechanics test and determine which test is needed in designing civil
engineering projects and/or solving engineering problems,
6. Use word processors in writing and finishing lab report,
7. Use soil laboratory equipment properly,
8. Demonstrate the ability to work in group.

4. Learning Content
1. Soil Compaction

1. Effective Size (D10)

This is the diameter in the particle size distribution curve corresponding to 10% finer. It is used
to measure the hydraulic conductivity and drainage through the soil.

2.Uniformity Coefficient(Cu)

Cu=D60/D10

D60= diameter corresponding to 60% finer

3.Coefficient Of gradation curvature (Cc)

Cu=(D30 )^2/(D60 D10 )

D30=diameter corresponding to 30% finer

4. Sorting Coefficient

SO=√(D75/D25 )

D75= diameter corresponding to 75% finer

D25= diameter corresponding to 25% finer

Sample Problem 1

Given soil having the particle size distribution as follows: 8% sand, 20% gravel, 48% silt and
24% clay. Use the figure shown.
1.Compute the percentage of sand using USDA Method.
2.Compute the percentage of silt using USDA Method.
3.Compute the percentage of clay using USDA Method.
4.Classify the type of soil using USDA Method.

SOLUTION:
1. % of sand
Sand-size: ((%sand)(100))/(100-%gravel)=(8(100))/(100-20)=10%

2. % of silt
Silt-size:((%silt)(100))/(100-%gravel)=(48(100))/(100-20)=60%

3.% of clay
Clay-size:((%clay)(100))/(100-%gravel)=(24(100))/(100-20)=30%

4.Classification of soil:
Draw lines from 10%(sand),60%(silt), and 30%(clay). The will intersect at point B. Therefore the
soil is silty clay loam.

Sample Problem 2

A sample of inorganic soil has the following

grain size characteristics.
Size(mm) Percent Finer
2.0 100
0.075 70
 0.050 65
0.005 32
0.002 15

The liquid limit is 52 % and plasticity index is 20 %. Classify the soil(USDA Method)using the
triangular textural classification chart.

1.Compute the percentage of clay .

2.Compute the percentage of silt.
3.Classify the type of soil.

SOLUTION:

1.% of clay
Clay size=15%

2.% of silt
Silt size=65-15
Silt size=50%

3. Classification of soil

% of sand=100-65
% of sand=35%
From the triangular textural classification chart , the soil is loam, silty loam

Sample Problem 3

Classify the given soil to be used as highway subgrade material by using the AASHTO method
using the attached table shown.

Sieve Analysis % finer

No. 10 sieve = 100%
No. 40 sieve = 72%
No. 200 sieve = 39%

Plasticity for the minus No. 40 fraction

Liquid limit=44
Plasticity index=24

SOLUTION

Refer to the table:

AASHTO Soil Classification System (from AASHTO M 145 or ASTM D3282)

Silt-Clay Materials (>35%
Granular Materials (35% or less passing
General Classification passing the 0.075 mm
the 0.075 mm sieve)
sieve)
A-1 A-2 A-7
 Group Classification A-3 A- A- A- A- A-4 A-5 A-6
A-7-5
A-1-a A-1-b 2- 2- 2- 2-
A-7-6
4 5 6 7

Sieve Analysis, % passing

50
2.00 mm (No. 10)
max … … … … … … … … … …
51
0.425 (No. 40) 30 max 50 max … … … … … … … …
min
35 35 35 35
10 36 36 36
0.075 (No. 200) 15 max 25 max m m m m 36 min
max min min min
ax ax ax ax
Characteristics of fraction
passing 0.425 mm (No.
40)
40 41 40 41
40 41 40
Liquid Limit … … m mi m mi 41 min
max min max
ax n ax n
10 10 11 11
10 10 11
Plasticity index 6 max N.P. m m mi mi 11 min1
max max min
ax ax n n
Usual types of significant stone fragments, fine silty or clayey
silty soils clayey soils
constituent materials gravel and sand sand gravel and sand
General rating as a
excellent to good fair to poor
subgrade
Plasticity index of A-7-5 subgroup is equal to or less than the LL - 30. Plasticity index of A-7-6 subgroup is greater than LL - 30.

The percent passing the No. 200 sieve is 39% which is greater than 35% as shown on the
table , it is a silt-clay material.

A-7 % Finer 200=36mins

LL=41mins
PL=11mins
If PI<LL-30 the soil designation is A-7-5
If PI>LL-30 the soil designation is A-7-6
PI=24
LL-30=44-30
LL=14
Therefore PI>LL the soil is A-7-6

Determine also the group index:

G.I=(F-35)(0.2+0.005(LL-40)+0.01(F-15)(P.I-10)
G.I=(39-35)(0.2+0.005(14-40)+0.01(39-15)(24-10)
G.I= 4.24 say 4

Finally the soil is designation a A-7-6(4)

Note:
If the computed group index yields a negative value, it is taken as 0.
2. SOIL COMPACTION

1.Moist Unit Weight of Compaction γ.

γ=W/(V(m))

γ=.Moist Unit Weight

W=weight of compacted soil in the mold
V(m)=volume of the mold(1/〖30ft〗^3)

2. Dry Unit Weight

γd=γ/(1+(ω(%))/100)

γd=dry unit weight

ω=moisture content in percent

3.Dry Unit Weight for a given moisture content ω, and degree of saturation S.

γd=(Gs γw)/(1+(Gs ω)/S)

Gs=specific gravity of soil solids

4.Zero Air Void Unit Weight

γzav=(Gs γw)/(1+ωGs )

γzav=Zero Air Void Unit Weight

5. Relative Compaction

R(%)=(γd (field))/(γd (max-lab))×100

R= Relative Compaction
γd (field)=compacted field dry unit weight
γd (max-lab)=max. dry unit weight determine in the laboratory by either the standard or modified
proctor test

6.Relative Density

Dr=[(γd (field)-γd (min))/(γd (max)-γd (min))][(γd (max))/(γd (field))]

7.Relative Compaction

R=Ro/(1-Dr (1-Ro))

Ro=(γd (min))/(γd (max))

Dr=relative density

8.Dry of Soil

W3=W2/(1+(ω(%))/100)

W3=dry weight of soil

W2= weight of the moist soil excavated from the hole

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

The relative compaction of a sand in the field is 94%. The max. and min. dry unit weights of the
sand are 16.2 kN/m^2 and 14.9m^3 respectively.
1.Compute the dry unit weight in the field.
2.For field conditions compute the relative density of compaction.

SOLUTION:

1.Dry unit weight

R=(Yd field)/(Yd max) (relative compaction)
0.94=(Yd field)/16.2
Ydfield=15.23kN/m^3

2. Relative density of compaction

Dr=[(Yd field-Yd min)/(Yd max-Yd min)][(Yd max)/(Yd field)]
Dr=[((15.23-14.9))/((16.2-14.9))][16.2/15.23]
Dr=27%
(relative degree of compaction)

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

A field compacted of sandy loam was found to have a wet density of 2181kN/m^3 at a water
content of 10%. The max. dry density of the soil obtained in a Standard Proctor Test was 2000
kg/m^3. Assume specific gravity (Gs) to be 2.65.

Compute the following:

1.Dry unit weight (γd)

SOLUTION:
1. Dry unit weight (γd)
γd=γ/(1+ω)
γd=2181/(1+0.10)
γd=1982.7kg/m^3
γd=19.45kN/m^3