Soil Classification AASHTO

University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines
Civil Engineering Department
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(SOIL MECHANICS)
Soil
Classification
By: CE Faculty
A soil classification system
It is the arrangement of different soils with similar properties into groups & subgroups based on
their application or to their probable engineering behavior. A classification for engineering
purposes should be based mainly on mechanical properties: permeability, stiffness, strength.
The aim of a classification system is to establish a set of conditions which will allow useful
comparisons to be made between different soils. Most of the soils classification systems that
have been developed for engineering purposes are based on simple index properties such as
particle size distribution & plasticity.
Textural Classification
Soil textures are classified by the
fractions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil.
Classifications are typically named for
the primary constituent particle size or
a combination of the most abundant
particles sizes (e.g. sandy clay, silty
clay)
Textural Classification
TEXTURE of soil refers to its
surface appearance.
MECHANICAL
SIEVE ANALYSIS
(ASTM D422, D1140 AND
AASHTO T88)
A little recap!
Key Particle Sizes (D = Diameter)
D60 = Diameter corresponding to 60% finer in the
grain size distribution.
grain size distribution.
grain size distribution. Also known as Effective
Size.
Key Coefficients (C):

Cu = Coefficient of Uniformity (ASTM D2487)
= D60/D10
Cc = Coefficient of Gradation
= Coefficient of Curvature (ASTM D2487)
= (D30)2/(D60xD10)
USDA textural soil classification
EXAMPLE:
Particle-size distribution of soil
shows:
30% sand,
40% silt, and
30% clay-size particles
Soil falls into the zone of

clay loam
Let’s have an example!

Soil B has a particle-size distribution of 20% gravel, 10% sand, 30% silt, and
40% clay, the modified textural compositions are:
……gravelly clay.
Classification by
Engineering Behavior
Two classification systems commonly used by soils engineers. Both systems take into
consideration the particle-size distribution and Atterberg limits.
1. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

classification system
2. Unified Soil Classification System
The AASHTO classification system is used mostly by state and county highway
departments. Geotechnical engineers generally prefer the Unified system.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
ORIGIN (Holtz and Kovacs, 1981):
This system was originally developed by Hogentogler and Terzaghi in 1929 as the Public Roads
Classification System. Afterwards, there are several revisions. The present AASHTO (1978) system is
primarily based on the version in 1945.
STANDARDS:
AASHTO M145-91 (2003): Standard Specifications for Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures
for Highway Construction Purposes.
ASTM D3282-09: Standard Practice for Classification of Soils and Soil Aggregate Mixtures for Highway
Construction Purposes.
According to this system, soil is classified into seven major groups: A-1 through A-
7. Subgroups determined from Group Index (GI).
A1 to A3 A4 to A7
Granular Materials Silt-Clay Materials
(≤ 35% passes #200 Sieve) (≥ 36% passes #200 Sieve)
Using LL and PI separates silty materials Using LL and PI separates silty materials
from clayey materials (only for A2 group) from clayey materials
General Notes:
• A-1 materials are well graded, whereas A-3 soils are clean, poorly graded sands.
• A4 & A5 are generally silts, A6 & A7 are generally clays.
This classification system is based on the following criteria:
1. Grain size
a. Gravel: fraction passing the 75-mm sieve and retained on the No. 10 (2-mm) U.S. sieve
b. Sand: fraction passing the No. 10 (2-mm) U.S. sieve and retained on the No. 200 (0.075-
mm) U.S. sieve
c. Silt and clay: fraction passing the No. 200 U.S. sieve
2. Plasticity:
The term silty is applied when the fine fractions of the soil have a plasticity index of 10 or less. The term clayey is
applied when the fine fractions have a plasticity index of 11 or more.
3. If cobbles and boulders (size larger than 75 mm) are encountered, they are excluded from the portion of the soil sample from
which classification is made. However, the percentage of such material is recorded.
STEPS:
1. Determine Grain Size Distribution (AASHTO T-11 & AASHTO T-27)

2. Determine Liquid Limit (AASHTO T-89)
3. Determine Plastic Limit (AASHTO T-90)
4. Classify Soil using ASTM 3282 Table (Left to Right Method, Process of
Elimination)
Plot of the range of the

liquid limit and the
plasticity index for soils
that fall into groups A-
2, A-4, A-5, A-6,
and A-7.
To evaluate the quality of a soil as a highway subgrade material, one must also incorporate a number
called the group index (GI) with the groups and subgroups of the soil. This index is written in
parentheses after the group or subgroup designation. The group index is given by the equation:
Remember:
(1)If the value of GI yields a negative value for GI, it is taken as 0.
(2)The group index calculated is 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.
For Groups A-2-6 and A-2-7
In general, the rating for a pavement subgrade is inversely

proportional to the group index, GI.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil are as follows:
• Percent passing the No. 10 sieve = 42
The liquid limit and plastic limit of the minus No. 40 fraction of the soil are 25 and
20, respectively. Classify the soil by the AASHTO system.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
Steps:
1. Check percent passing sieve No.200
Since 20% (i.e., less than 35%) of soil is passing No. 200 sieve, it is a granular soil.
2. Using the table, classify the soil using Left to Right Method
LL = 25%
PL = 20%
PI = LL – PL = 25% - 20% = 5%
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
3. The soil falls under A-1-b with GI of 0 (see lecture note). Thus, the soil is
classified as A-1-b(0).
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
Ninety-five percent of a soil passes through the No. 200 sieve and has a liquid limit
of 60 and plasticity index of 40. Classify the soil by the AASHTO system.
Steps:
1.Check percent passing sieve No.200
Since 95% (i.e., more than 35%) of soil is passing No. 200 sieve, it is a
silty-clay soil.
2.Using the table, classify the soil using Left to Right Method
LL = 60%
PI = 40%
LL – 30 = 60% - 30% = 30%
Thus, PI > LL – 30
40% > 30%
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
The soil falls under A-7-6b with GI of:
GI = (F200 – 35)[(0.2 + 0.005(LL – 40)] + 0.01(F200 – 15)(PI - 10)

GI = (95 – 35)[(0.2 + 0.005(60 – 40)] + 0.01(95– 15)(40 - 10)
GI = 42
Thus, the soil is classified as (remove the superscript) A-7-6(42).
QUESTIONS
By: CE Faculty
THANK YOU!

Soil Classification AASHTO

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University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines

Civil Engineering Department

Key Coefficients (C):

Soil falls into the zone of

Let’s have an example!

1. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

ORIGIN (Holtz and Kovacs, 1981):

1. Determine Grain Size Distribution (AASHTO T-11 & AASHTO T-27)

Plot of the range of the

For Groups A-2-6 and A-2-7

In general, the rating for a pavement subgrade is inversely

The soil falls under A-7-6b with GI of:

GI = (F200 – 35)[(0.2 + 0.005(LL – 40)] + 0.01(F200 – 15)(PI - 10)

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