Geotechnical

Engineering Research Laboratory

One University Avenue
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Tel: (978) 9342621
email: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk

Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

Lecturer
PA105D
Fax: (978) 9343052

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

14.330 SOIL MECHANICS

Assignment #2: Soil Classification Solution.
PROBLEM #1 (60 Points):
GIVEN:
Table 1. Soil Index Testing Summary.
D422
Sample

Sieve
Number
10

D4318

% Retained

LL

PL

NA

NA

21

15

54

31

0.1

30

0.7

40

0.9

60

8.3

100

57.2

120

17.5

200

11.9

Pan

3.1

10

0.0

30

1.2

40

2.0

60

22.7

100

35.2

120

5.7

200

14.6

Pan

18.4

10

0.0

30

0.4

40

1.2

60

19.4

100

47.9

120

6.4

200

14.9

Pan

9.8

REQUIRED:
Determine USCS and AASHTO soil classifications for each soil sample.

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

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SOLUTION:
USCS Classification:
Plot grain size distribution for all soils and determine D60, D30, and D10 when necessary
for Soil Samples #1, #2, and #3.

Figure A. Grain Size Distributions and D60, D30, and D10 for Samples #1, #2, and #3.
Calculate Cc and Cu using information in Figure A for Samples #1 and #3 and the
equations shown below. See Table A for summary of Cu and Cc calculations.
Coefficient of Uniformity = Cu =

D60
D10

Coefficient of Curvature (a.k.a. Gradation) = Cc =

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

(D30 )2
(D60 xD10 )

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Table A. Summary of Cu and Cc calculations.

Parameter

Sample #1

Sample #3

D60 (mm)

0.172

0.208

D30 (mm)

0.15

0.147

D10 (mm)

0.106

0.076

Cc

1.62

2.74

Cu

1.23

1.37

Knowing that PI = LL-PL, LL vs. PI was plotted for Samples #2 and #3 on Figure B.

Figure B. Atterberg Limits Test Results Plotted on Casagrandes Chart.

Since each soil sample has a % Passing a #200 sieve < 50%, use Figure 3 of ASTM
D2487 to classify soil. See Figures C thru E for soil classification using ASTM D2487
Figure 3 for Soil Samples #1 thru 3, respectively.

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

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FC = 3%

Cu = 1.23
SP - Poorly
Graded Sand

No
Gravel

Figure C. USCS Soil Classification of Sample #1 (using Figure 3 of ASTM D2487).

No
Gravel

FC = 18%
SC-SM- Silty,
Clayey Sand

Figure D. USCS Soil Classification of Sample #2 (using Figure 3 of ASTM D2487).

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

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No
Gravel
FC = 10%
MH

Cu = 1.37

SP-SM Poorly
Graded Sand
with Silt

Figure E. USCS Soil Classification of Sample #3 (using Figure 3 of ASTM D2487).

AASHTO Classification:
Use Table 2 from ASTM D3282. Determine % Passing #10, #40, and #200 sieves (see
Figure A for grain size distribution plots). See Figure F for soil classification using
ASTM D3282 Table 2 for Samples #1 thru 3.
TABLE 2 Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures
Granular Materials

A-1
Group classification
Sieve analysis, % passing:
No. 10 (2.00 mm)
No. 40 (425 m)
No. 200 (75 m)
Characteristics of fraction passing
No. 40 (425 m):
Liquid limit
Plasticity index
Usual types of significant constituent materials

Silt-Clay Materials
(More than 35 % passing No. 200 (75 m))

Sample
#1passing No. 200 (75 m))
(35 % or less

General Classification

A-2

Sample #3

A-3
A-1-a

A-1-b

50 max
30 max
15 max

...
50 max
25 max

...
6 max
Stone Fragments,
Gravel and Sand

General rating as subgrade

A-2-4

A-2-5

A-2-6

A-2-7

...
51 min
10 max

...
...
35 max

...
...
35 max

...
...
35 max

...
...
35 max

...
N.P.
Fine
Sand

40 max
41 min
40 max
41 min
10 max
10 max
11 min
11 min
Silty or Clayey Gravel and Sand

Sample #2

Excellent to Good

A-7
A-4

A-5

A-6

A-7-5,
A-7-6

...
...
36 min

...
...
36 min

...
...
36 min

...
...
36 min

40 max
41 min
10 max
10 max
Silty Soils

40 max
41 min
11 min
11 minA
Clayey Soils

Fair to Poor

Plasticity index of A-7-5 subgroup is equal to or less than LL minus 30. Plasticity index of A-7-6 subgroup is greater than LL minus 30 (see Fig. 1).
Reprinted with permission of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Figure F. AASHTO Soil Classification of Sample #1, #2, and #3

(using Table 2 of ASTM D3282).

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

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Problem #1 Summary:
Soil Classification
Sample
USCS Group Symbol & Name

AASHTO

#1

(SP) Poorly Graded Sand

A-3

#2

(SC-SM) Silty, Clayey Sand

A-2-4

#3

(SP-SM) Poorly Graded Sand with Silt

A-2-7

PROBLEM #2 (40 Points):

GIVEN:

Soil #2
Soil #3
Soil #1

Figure 1. Mechanical Sieve and Hydrometer Results for Problem #2.

Table 3. Atterberg Limits (ASTM D4318) for Problem #2.

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

Soil

LL

PL

#1

61

31

#2

NA

NA

#3

37

10

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REQUIRED:
Classify the soils in accordance with the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and
AASHTO.
USCS Classification:
Calculate % Gravel, % Sand, and % Fines from Figure 1.
percentages is provided in Table B.

A summary of these

Table B. Summary of % Gravel, % Sand, and % Fines from Figure 1.

Soil

% Gravel

% Sand

% Fines

Soil

100

Fine Grained

98

Coarse Grained

50

50

Fine Grained

Knowing that PI = LL-PL, PI vs. LL was plotted for Soils #1 and #2 on Figure G.

Figure G. Atterberg Limits Test Results Plotted on Casagrandes Chart.

Therefore, use Figure 1 from ASTM D2487 for Soils #1 and #3 and Figure 3 from ASTM
D2487 for Soil #2 to classify the soils. See Figures H thru J for soil classification using
ASTM D2487 Figures for Soils #1 thru #3, respectively.

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

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0% Plus #200

CH Fat Clay

LL = 61

Figure H. USCS Soil Classification of Soil #1 (using Figure 1 of ASTM D2487).

For Soil #2 (Using Figure 3, ASTM D2487):

(D30 )2
D
Cc
;Cu 60
(D60D10 )
D10
Soil

D10
(mm)

D30
(mm)

D60
(mm)

Cc

Cu

#2

0.32

0.58

0.85

1.1

2.7

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

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FC = 0%

Cu = 2.7, Cc = 1.1

SP Poorly
Graded Sand

2%
Gravel

Figure J. USCS Soil Classification of Sample #2 (using Figure 3 of ASTM D2487).

CL Sandy
Lean Clay
50% Plus #200

LL = 39

Figure I. USCS Soil Classification of Soil #3 (using Figure 1 of ASTM D2487).

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

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AASHTO Classification:
Use Table 2 from ASTM D3282. Determine % Passing #10, #40, and #200 sieves (see
Figure 1 for grain size distribution plots). See Figure K for soil classification using
ASTM D3282 Table 2 for Soils #1 thru 3.

Soil #1

Soil #2

Soil #3

Figure K. AASHTO Soil Classification of Soils #1, #2, and #3 (using Table 2 of ASTM
14.332D3282).
Problem #2 Summary:
Soil Classification
Sample
USCS Group Symbol & Name

AASHTO

#1

(CH) Fat Clay

A-7 (Acceptable)
A-7-5

#2

(SP) Poorly Graded Sand

A-1-b

#3

(CL) Sandy Lean Clay

A-6

EXTRA CREDIT (+5 Points):

Which discipline of civil engineering you would like to work in when you graduate? Write
a paragraph or two why you have selected this discipline. Use Guest Lecture
assignment guidelines.
Self-explanatory.

14.330 2013 Assignment 2 Solution

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