Geotechnical Engineering 1 (Soil Mechanics)

Module 3 – Part 2: Soil Structure

Objectives:

After studying these topics students will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of phase relationships, physical sates and soil classification.

2. Know the significance and application soil consistency and classification in determination of the
strength of soil.

Content:

A. Introduction

Soil structure is defined as the geometric arrangement of soil particles with respect to one
another. Among the many factors that affect the structure are the shape, size and mineralogical
composition of soil particles, and the nature of the composition of soil water.

Two Groups Structures of Soils

1. Structures in Cohesion less Soil: Single grained and honeycomb

In single-grained structures, soil particles are in stable positions, with each particle in contact
with the surrounding ones.
Soils that exhibit a honeycombed structure have large void ratios, and they can carry an ordinary
static load. However, under a heavy load or when subjected to shock loading, the structure breaks
down, which results in a large amount of settlement.

2. Structures in Cohesive Soils:

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B. Classification of Soil

A classification scheme provides a method of identifying soils in a particular group that would
likely exhibit similar characteristics. Soil classification is used to specify a certain soil type that is best
suitable for a given application. There are several classification schemes available. Each was device
for a specific use.
1. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Textural Classification Chart. (See figure)

Soil texture is influenced by the size of the individual particles present in it.
Sand size: 2.0 to 0.05mm in diameter
Silt size: 0.05 to 0.002 mm in diameter
Clay size: smaller than 0.002 mm in diameter

Formula:
% Sand
Sand Size = x 100%
100 − %Gravel

% Silt
Silt Size = x 100%
100 − %Gravel
% Clay
Clay Size = x 100%
100 − %Gravel

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2. Classification by Engineering Behavior

Textural Classification is based entirely on the particle size distribution.

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3. American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASSHTO) Classification System.
( See figure )

Essential points:

1. A sieve analysis is used to determine the grain size distribution of coarse-grained soils.
2. For fine-grained soils, a hydrometer analysis is used to find the particle size distribution.
3. Particle size distribution on a semi logarithmic plot of % finer (ordinate, arithmetic scale) versus
particle size (abscissa, logarithm scale).
4. The particle size distribution plot is used to delineate the different soil textures (percentages of
gravel, sand, silt and clay) in a soil.
5. The effective size, D10, is the diameter of the particles of which 10% of the soil is finer, D10 is an
important value in regulating flow through soils and can significantly influence the mechanical
behavior of soils.
6. D50 is the average grain size diameter of the soil.
7. Two coefficients-the uniformly coefficient and the coefficient of curvature- are used to
characterize the particle size distribution. Uniform soils have uniformity coefficients <4 and
steep gradation curves. Well-graded soils have uniformity coefficients >4, coefficients of
curvature between 1 and 3, and flat gradation curves. Gap-graded soils have coefficients of
curvature <1 or >3, and one or more humps on gradation curves.

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 Problems
1. Classify the following soils by using the USDA’s textural classification chart.

Particle Size Distribution in %

Soil
Gravel Sand Silt Clay
A 15 20 35 30
B 20 40 22 18
C 14 50 20 16
D 18 52 22 8
E 15 32 25 28

2. Classify the following soils according to the AASHTO classification system and give the group
indices.

Sieve Analysis % Finer Liquid Plastic

Soil No. 10 N0. 40 No. 200 Limit Limit
A 100 82 38 42 23
B 100 71 46 32 18
C 92 81 51 29 16
D 100 58 32 32 14
E 95 69 30 42 24

3. A particle size analysis on a soil sample yields the following data. Determine the % finer and %
retained in the No. 200 Sieve.

Weight
Sieve Accumulated Percent
Retained
No. Weight Finer (%)
(N)
4 3. 1
10 5. 8
20 3. 8
60 2. 6
200 6. 8
Pan 2. 1
Total

References:
1. Images are Retrieved from https://www.google.com
2. Geotechnical Engineering (Revised Third Edition) by C. Venkatramaiah, 2012
3. Principles of Geotechnical Engineering (Seventh Edition) by Braja M. Das, 2010
4. Soil Mechanics and Foundations (Third Edition) by Muni Budhu, 2011
5. Soil Mechanics 7th Edition, R.F. Craig, 2004
6. Basic Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering by Venancio L. Besavilla Jr., 1998
7. Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering by Diego Inocencio T. Gillesania, 2006

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