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Example Problems and Solutions Pages 1 Pages 9

The document provides soil classification results for two soil samples (SB-2 at 5 ft and 31 ft) using the USCS, AASHTO, and USDA systems, identifying them as fine-grained silty clay of low plasticity, clayey soil A-7-6, and clay loam respectively. Additionally, it classifies another sample (AGC-2 at 0.6 to 0.8 ft) as coarse-grained silty sand (SM) and A-2-4 based on its particle size distribution. The classifications are based on specific sieve analysis and Atterberg limits data.

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21 views2 pages

Example Problems and Solutions Pages 1 Pages 9

The document provides soil classification results for two soil samples (SB-2 at 5 ft and 31 ft) using the USCS, AASHTO, and USDA systems, identifying them as fine-grained silty clay of low plasticity, clayey soil A-7-6, and clay loam respectively. Additionally, it classifies another sample (AGC-2 at 0.6 to 0.8 ft) as coarse-grained silty sand (SM) and A-2-4 based on its particle size distribution. The classifications are based on specific sieve analysis and Atterberg limits data.

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Since more than 50% of the soil particles pass the No. 200 sieve, the soil is fine-grained.

Since the Atterberg limits (i.e., LL


= 48, PI = 28 and LL = 46 and PI = 27) plot above the A-line in Fig. 4.1 and because the LL is less than 50, the soil is
classified as silty clay of low plasticity (CL).

AASHTO Soil Classification System:

Since there are more than 35% passing the No. 200 sieve, the soil is classified as a silt-clay material. With a plasticity index
= 28, a liquid limit = 48, and since the LL − 30 is less than the plasticity index, the soil meets all the classification
requirements for group A-7-6 (clayey soils). Using the group index equation listed in Table 4.6, with F = 78.4, LL = 48, and
PI = 28, the group index = 21.8 for SB-2 @ 5 ft. Using the group index equation listed in Table 4.6, with F = 81.4, LL = 46,
and PI = 27, the group index = 22.0 for SB-2 @ 31 ft. Thus for both soils, the soil classification is A-7-6 (22), clayey soil.

USDA Textural Classification System:

The percent sand, percent silt, and percent clay size particles are as follows:

For SB-2 @ 5 ft:

Sand (2 mm to 0.05 mm) = 100 − 69 = 31%

Silt (0.05 mm to 0.002 mm) = 69 − 28 = 41%

Clay (finer than 0.002 mm) = 28%

For SB-2 @ 31 ft:

Sand (2 mm to 0.05 mm) = 100 − 69 = 31%

Silt (0.05 mm to 0.002 mm) = 69 − 33 = 36%

Clay (finer than 0.002 mm) = 33%

Using Fig. 4.4 with the above percentages of sand, silt, and clay, the soil classification for both soils is clay loam.

Summary (for both soils):

USCS: Fine-grained soil, silty clay of low plasticity (CL)

AASHTO: Silt-clay material, clayey soil, A-7-6 (22)

USDA: Clay loam

For Problem Nos. 4.23 and 4.24, use the laboratory testing data summarized in Fig. E.6. Consider the soils to consist of
inorganic soil particles with the Atterberg limits performed on soil passing the No. 40 sieve (per ASTM D 4318). Note in
Fig. E.6 that LL is the liquid limit, PL is the plastic limit, and PI is the plasticity index.

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Figure E.6 Particle size distributions for Problems 4.23 and 4.24 (plot developed by gINT computer
program).

4.23 For AGC-2 at 0.6 to 0.8 feet inFig. E.6, determine the soil classification per the USCS, AASHTO, and USDA soil
classification systems.

Solution:

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS):

Since 15.7% of the soil particles pass the No. 200 sieve (i.e., 15.7% fines), the soil is coarse-grained. All of the soil particles
retained on the No. 200 sieve are of sand size and thus the primary soil classification is sand (Table 4.4). Since there are
more than 12% fines and the soil is nonplastic (PI = 0), the soil classification is silty sand (SM).

AASHTO Soil Classification System:

Since there are less than 35% passing the No. 200 sieve, the soil is classified as a granular material. Using the particle size
distribution (Fig. E.6), the percent passing is as follows:

Percent passing No. 10 sieve = 97%

Percent passing No. 40 sieve = 61%

Percent passing No. 200 sieve = 15.7%

For these percent passing values, and because the soil is nonplastic (PI = 0), all of the criteria are met for group A-2-4 (silty
sand).

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