GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Classification systems provide a common language to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
concisely express the general characteristics of soils, CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
which are infinitely varied, without detailed descriptions. This classification method is based on the particle-size
TEXTURAL CLASSIFICATION: limits as described below:
1. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Classification • Sand size: 2.0 to 0.05 mm in diameter
System • Silt size: 0.05 to 0.002 mm in diameter
• Clay size: smaller than 0.002 mm in diameter
CLASSIFICATION BY ENGINEERING BEHAVIOR:
1. American Association of Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO) Classification System
2. Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY AND
TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS (AASHTO) CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEM
The AASHTO system of soil classification was developed
in 1929 as the Public Road Administration classification
system.
ANALYSIS:
1. Identify the general classification of the soil (Granular
/ Silt-Clay Materials).
2. Determine the group classification by checking the
criteria from the table starting from A-1 to A-2 and so
on.
3. Calculate the group index (GI) based on the group
classification.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY AND
TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS (AASHTO) CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEM
5. When calculating the group index for soils that belong to
Group Index (GI) – for AASHTO
groups A-2-6 and A-2-7, use the partial group index for PI, or
𝐺𝐼
= 𝐹200 − 35 0.2 + 0.005 𝐿𝐿 − 40 𝐺𝐼 = 0.01 𝐹200 − 15 𝑃𝐼 − 10
+ 0.01 𝐹200 − 15 𝑃𝐼 − 10
1. If the equation yields a negative value for GI, it is taken where F200 = percentage passing through the No. 200 sieve
as 0. LL = liquid limit
2. The group index calculated from the equation is PI = plasticity index
rounded off to the nearest whole number
(for example, GI = 3.4 is rounded off to 3; GI = 3.5 is
rounded off to 4).
3. There is no upper limit for the group index.
4. 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.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
UNIFIED SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (USCS) For proper classification according to this system, some or all
This system classifies soils into two broad categories: of the following information must be known:
1. Coarse-grained soils that are gravelly and sandy in 1. Percent of gravel—that is, the fraction passing the 76.2-
nature with less than 50% passing through the No. 200 mm sieve and retained on the No. 4 sieve (4.75-mm
sieve. The group symbols start with a prefix of G or S. G opening).
stands for gravel or gravelly soil, and S for sand or sandy 2. Percent of sand—that is, the fraction passing the No. 4
soil. sieve (4.75-mm opening) and retained on the No. 200 sieve
2. Fine-grained soils are with 50% or more passing (0.075-mm opening).
through the No. 200 sieve. The group symbols start with 3. Percent of silt and clay—that is, the fraction finer than the
prefixes of M, which stands for inorganic silt, C for No. 200 sieve (0.075-mm opening).
inorganic clay, or O for organic silts and clays. The 4. Uniformity coefficient (Cu) and the coefficient of
symbol Pt is used for peat, muck, and other highly gradation (Cc).
organic soils. 5. Liquid limit and plasticity index of the portion of soil
Other symbols used for the classification are: passing the No. 40 sieve.
NOTE:
• W—well graded
• Fine fraction = percent passing No. 200 sieve
• P—poorly graded • Coarse fraction = percent retained on No. 200 sieve
• L—low plasticity (liquid limit less than 50) • Gravel fraction = percent retained on No. 4 sieve
• H—high plasticity (liquid limit more than 50) • Sand fraction = (percent retained on No. 200 sieve) - (percent
retained on No. 4 sieve) Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
75%
Uniformity Coefficient (Cu),
𝐷60
𝐶𝑢 = 30%
𝐷10
25%
Coefficient of Gradation (Cc),
10%
𝐷30 2 𝑫𝟕𝟓 𝑫𝟔𝟎 𝑫𝟑𝟎 𝑫𝟐𝟓 𝑫𝟏𝟎
𝐶𝑐 =
𝐷60 𝑥 𝐷10
Sorting Coefficient (So), Where:
• 𝐷10 = the equivalent diameter for 10% finer.
(Effective Grain Size)
𝐷75
𝑆𝑜 = • 𝐷25 = the equivalent diameter for 25% finer.
𝐷25
• 𝐷30 = the equivalent diameter for 30% finer.
• 𝐷60 = the equivalent diameter for 60% finer.
• 𝐷75 = the equivalent diameter for 75% finer.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
ANALYSIS:
1. Determine if the soil is
classified as coarse-grained or
fine-grained soil.
2. Check the criteria for the 2nd -
4th column.
3. Then, identify the group
symbol.
4. If required, proceed in
determining the group name.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Plasticity Chart
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 1: The results of the particle-
size analysis of a soil are as follows:
• Percent passing the No. 10 sieve =
42% Less than 50 %
• Percent passing the No. 40 sieve =
35% Greater than 30 %
• Percent passing the No. 200 sieve =
20% Less than 35 %
The liquid limit and plastic limit of the
minus No. 40 fraction of the soil are 25
Therefore, the soil is classified as
and 20, respectively. Classify the soil by A-1-b.
the AASHTO system. For its Group Index (GI), GI = 0 from the rule
4.
Given:
LL = 25% The final answer will be A-1-b (0).
PL = 20%
PI = LL – PL = 25 – 20 = 5% Greater than 6 %
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem: For Soil A,
Situation 2: Classify the following soils according to 25
the USDA textural classification system. 𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑑 = = 𝟐𝟖. 𝟒%
100 − 12
32
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑡 = = 𝟑𝟔. 𝟒%
100 − 12
31
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑦 = = 𝟑𝟓. 𝟐%
100 − 12
SOIL A Modified %
Sand 28.4%
Silt 36.4%
Clay 35.2%
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 2: Classify the following soils according to
the USDA textural classification system.
SOIL A Modified %
Sand 28.4%
Silt 36.4%
Clay 35.2%
The three lines intersect at “clay
loam” but since the soil has gravel
content. The final classification of
the soil is GRAVELLY CLAY LOAM.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem: For Soil B,
Situation 2: Classify the following soils according to 31
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑑 = = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟖%
the USDA textural classification system. 100 − 18
30
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑡 = = 𝟑𝟔. 𝟔%
100 − 18
21
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑦 = = 𝟐𝟓. 𝟔%
100 − 18
SOIL B Modified %
Sand 37.8%
Silt 36.6%
Clay 25.6%
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 2: Classify the following soils according to
the USDA textural classification system.
SOIL B Modified %
Sand 37.8%
Silt 36.6%
Clay 25.6%
The three lines intersect at “loam”
but since the soil has gravel
content. The final classification of
the soil is GRAVELLY LOAM.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem: For Soil C,
Situation 2: Classify the following soils according to No gravel content therefore, percentages of sand, silt, and
the USDA textural classification system. clay will remain the same.
SOIL C Modified %
Sand 15%
Silt 30%
Clay 55%
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 2: Classify the following soils according to
the USDA textural classification system.
SOIL C Modified %
Sand 15%
Silt 30%
Clay 55%
The final classification of the soil is
CLAY.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem: For Soil D,
Situation 2: Classify the following soils according to 22
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑑 = = 𝟐𝟓%
the USDA textural classification system. 100 − 12
26
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑡 = = 𝟐𝟗. 𝟓%
100 − 12
40
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 % 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑦 = = 𝟒𝟓. 𝟓%
100 − 12
SOIL D Modified %
Sand 25%
Silt 29.5%
Clay 45.5%
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 2: Classify the following soils according to
the USDA textural classification system.
SOIL D Modified %
Sand 25%
Silt 29.5%
Clay 45.5%
The three lines intersect at “clay”
but since the soil has gravel
content. The final classification of
the soil is GRAVELLY CLAY.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 3: The results of the
particle-size analysis of a soil are as
follows:
Percent passing through the No. 10
sieve = 100
Percent passing through the No. 40
sieve = 80
Percent passing through the No. 200
sieve = 58
The liquid limit and plasticity index of
the minus No. 40 fraction of the soil
are 30 and 10, respectively. Classify
the soil by the Unified classification
system.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 3: The results of the
particle-size analysis of a soil are as
follows:
Percent passing through the No. 10
sieve = 100
Percent passing through the No. 40
sieve = 80
Percent passing through the No. 200
sieve = 58
The liquid limit and plasticity index of
the minus No. 40 fraction of the soil
are 30 and 10, respectively. Classify
the soil by the Unified classification
system.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 4: For a given soil, the
following are known:
• Percentage passing through No.
4 sieve = 70
• Percentage passing through No.
200 sieve = 30
• Liquid limit = 33
• Plastic limit = 12
Classify the soil using the Unified
Soil Classification System. Give the
group symbol and the group
name.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
GEO-3: SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Sample Problem:
Situation 4: For a given soil, the
following are known:
• Percentage passing through No.
4 sieve = 70
• Percentage passing through No.
200 sieve = 30
• Liquid limit = 33
• Plastic limit = 12
Classify the soil using the Unified
Soil Classification System. Give the
group symbol and the group
name.
Prepared by: Engr. Robert V. Manaois Jr.
