INTRODUCTION

Soil is one of the most important engineering materials. Determination of soil

conditions is the most important first phase of work for every type of civil engineering
facility. Soil properties are determined by both field and laboratory test methods. In
this course, you will learn several laboratory tests that are very commonly performed
to determine different properties of soils. These properties are essential for the design
of foundation and earth structures.
In this course, different laboratory tests will be conducted to determine the
owing important index and mechanical properties of soils:

Water Content

Organic Matter (Content)

Unit Weight (Density)

Specific Gravity

Relative Density

Grain Size Distribution (Sieve Analysis and Hydrometer Analysis)

Visual Classification

WATER CONTENT DETERMINATION

Purpose:
This test is performed to determine the water (moisture) content of soils. The
water content is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the mass of pore or free
water in a given mass of soil to the mass of the dry soil solids.

Significance:
For many soils, the water content may be an extremely important index used
for establishing the relationship between the way a soil behaves and its properties.
The consistency of a fine-grained soil largely depends on its water content. The water
content is also used in expressing the phase relationships of air, water, and solids in a
given volume of soil.

Equipment:
Drying oven, Balance, Moisture can, Gloves, Spatula.

Test Procedure:
1)

Record the moisture can and lid number. Determine and record the mass of an
empty, clean, and dry moisture can with its lid (MC)

2)

Place the moist soil in the moisture can and secure the lid. Determine and
record the mass of the moisture can (now containing the moist soil) with the
lid (MCMS).

3)

Remove the lid and place the moisture can (containing the moist soil) in the
drying oven that is set at 105 C. Leave it in the oven overnight.

4)

Remove the moisture can carefully but securely, replace the lid on the
moisture can using gloves, and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Determine and record the mass of the moisture can and lid (containing the dry
soil) (MCDS).

5)

Empty the moisture can and cleans the can and lid.

Data Analysis:
1)

Determine the mass of soil solids.

MS = MCDS MSC

2)

Determine the mass of pore water.

MW = MCMS MCDS

3)

Determine the water content.

w=

WATER CONTENT DETERMINATION

DATA SHEET
Date Tested:28-10-2013

Sample Description: Gray silty clay

Specimen Number

Moisture can lid number

12

15

MC = Mass of empty, clean can + lid (grams)

7.78

7.83

MCMS = Mass of can, lid and moist soil (grams)

16.39

13.34

MCDS = Mass of can, lid and dry soil (grams)

15.28

12.69

MS = Mass of soil (grams)

7.5

4.86

MW = Mass of pore water (grams)

1.11

0.74

W = Water content, w%

14.8

15.2

Example Calculation: MC = 7.78g,

MCMS = 16.39g.

MCDS = 15.28g

MS = 15.28 - 7.78 = 7.5g

MW = 16.39 -15.28 = 1.11 g
w=

= 14.8%

ORGANIC MATTER DETERMINATION

Purpose:
This test is performed To determine the organic content of soils. The organic
content is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the mass of organic matter in a given
mass of soil to the mass of the dry soil solids.

Significance:
Organic matter influences many of the physical, chemical and biological
properties of soils. Some of the properties influenced by organic matter include soil
structure, soil compressibility and shear strength. In addition, it also affects the water
holding capacity, nutrient contributions, biological activity, and water and air
infiltration rates.

Equipment:
Muffle furnace, Balance, Porcelain dish, Spatula, Tongs

Test Procedure:
1)

Determine and record the mass of an empty, clean, and dry porcelain dish
(Mp).

2)

Place a part of or the entire oven-dried test specimen from the moisture
content experiment (Expt. 1) in the porcelain dish and determine and record
the mass of the dish and soil specimen (Mps).

3)

Place the dish in a muffle furnace. Gradually increase the temperature in the
furnace to 440C. Leave the specimen in the furnace overnight.

4)

Remove carefully the porcelain dish using the tongs (the dish is very hot), and
allow it to cool to room temperature.

DATA SHEET
Date Tested: Nov 10, 2013

Specimen number
Porcelain dish number
MP = Mass of empty, clean porcelain dish (grams)
MPDS = Mass of dish and dry soil (grams)

35.29

36.66

MPA = Mass of the dish and ash (Burned soil) (grams)

34.06

35.27

MD = Mass of the dry soil (grams)

12.09

13.63

MA = Mass of the ash (Burned soil) (grams)

10.86

12.24

MO = Mass of organic matter (grams)

1.23

1.39

OM = Organic matter, %

10.17

10.20

Example Calculation: MP = 23.2g. MPDS = 35.29g, MPA = 34.06g

MD = 35.29 23.20 = 12.09g
MA = 34.06 23.20 = 10.86g
MO = 12.0910.86 = 1.39g
OM =1.39/12.09*100
=10.17%

DENSITY (UNIT WEIGHT) DETERMINATION

Purpose
This lab is performed to determine the in-place density of undisturbed soil d
by pushing or drilling a thin-walled cylinder. The bulk density is the ratio of mass of
moist soil to the volume of the soil sample, and the dry density is the of the mass of
the dry soil to the volume the soil sample.

Significance:
This test is used to determine the in-place density of soils. This test can so be
used to determine density of compacted soils used in the construction of structural
fills, highway embankments, or earth dams. This method is not recommended for
organic or friable soils.

Equipment:
Straightedge, Balance, Moisture can, Drying oven, Vernier caliper.

Test Procedure:
1)

Extrude the soil sample from the cylinder using the extruder.

2)

Cut a representative soil specimen from the extruded sample

3)

Determine and record the length (L), diameter (D) and mass (Mi) of the soil
specimen.

4)

Determine and record the moisture content of the soil (w). (See Experiment 1)

(Note: If the soil is sandy or loose, weigh the cylinder and soil sample together.
Measure dimensions of the soil sample within the cylinder. Extrude and weigh the soil
sample and determine moisture content)

Data Analysis:
1)

Determine the moisture content as in Experiment 1

2)

Determine the volume of the soil sample

V=

3)

Calculate bulk density ( ) of soil

or unit weight

4)

Calculate dry density (

Or dry unit weight

) of soil or dry unit weight

g

(DENSITY UNIT WEIGHT) DETERMINATION

DATA SHEET
Date Tested: Nov 30, 2012
Soil description

Gray silty clay

Mass of the soil sample(Mt)

125.20 grams

Length of the soil sample (L)

7.26 cm

Diameter of the soil sample (D)

3.41 cm

Moisture content determination:

Specimen number 1
Moisture can and lid number

15

Mc = Mass of empty, clean can + lid (grams)

7.83

MCMS = Mass of can, lid, and moist soil (grams)

13.43

MCDS = Mass of can, lid, and dry soil (grams)

12.69

Ms = Mass of soil solids (grams)

4.86

Mw = Mass of pore water (grams)

0.74

w = Water content, w%

15.2

Example calculations:
w=15.2%,

Mt=125.2g,

L=7.26cm,

D=3.41cm

10

GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS

(SIEVE AND HYDROMETER ANALYSIS)
This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes
contained within a soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to mine the
distribution of the coarser, larger-sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used
to determine the distribution of the finer particles.

Significance:
The distribution of different grain sizes affects the engineering properties of
soil Grain size analysis provides the grain size distribution, and it is required in
classifying the soil.

Equipment:
Balance, Set of sieves, Cleaning brush, Sieve shaker, Mixer (blender), 152H
Hydrometer, Sedimentation cylinder, Control cylinder, Thermometer, Beaker, Timing
device.

11

Test Procedure:
Sieve Analysis:
1)

Write down the weight of each sieve as well as the bottom pan to be used in
the analysis.

2)

Record the weight of the given dry soil sample.

3)

Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and assemble them in the ascending
order of sieve numbers (#4 sieves at top and #200 sieves at bottom). Place the
pan below #200 sieves. Carefully pour the soil sample into the top sieve and
place the cap over it.

4)

Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10 minutes.

5)

Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully weigh and record the weight
of each sieve with its retained soil. In addition, remember to weigh and record
the weight of the bottom pan with its retained fine soil.

Hydrometer Analysis:
1)

Take the fine soil from the bottom pan of the sieve set, place it into a beaker,
and add 125 mL of the dispersing agent (sodium hexametaphosphate (40 g/L)
solution. Stir the mixture until the soil is thoroughly wet. Let the soil soak for
at least ten minutes.

2)

While the soil is soaking, add l25mLofdispersingagent into the control

cylinder and fill it with distilled water to the mark. Take the reading at the top
of the meniscus formed by the hydrometer stem and the control solution. A
reading less than zero is recorded as a negative (-) correction and a reading
between zero and sixty is recorded as a positive (+) correction. This reading is
called the zero correction. The meniscus correction is the difference between
the top of the meniscus and the level of the solution in the control jar (Usually
about +1). Shake the control cylinder in such a way that the contents are
mixed thoroughly. Insert the hydrometer and thermometer into the control
cylinder and note the zero correction and temperature respectively.
12

3)

Transfer the soil slurry into a mixer by adding more distilled water, if
necessary, until mixing cup is at least half full. Then mix the solution for a
period of two minutes.

4)

Immediately transfer the soil slurry into the empty sedimentation cylinder.
Add distilled water up to the mark.

5)

Cover the open end of the cylinder with a stopper and secure it with the palm
of your hand. Then turn the cylinder upside down and back upright for a
period of one minute. (The cylinder should be inverted approximately 30 times
during the minute.)

6)

Set the cylinder down and record the time. Remove the stopper from the
cylinder. After an elapsed time of one minute and forty seconds, very slowly
and carefully insert the hydrometer for the first reading. (Note: It should take
about ten seconds to insert or remove the hydrometer to minimize any
disturbance, and the release of the hydrometer should be made as close to the
reading depth as possible to avoid bobbing.

7)

The reading is taken by observing the top of the meniscus formed by the
suspension and the hydrometer stem. The hydrometer is removed slowly and
placed back into the control cylinder. Very gently spin it in control cylinder to
remove any particles that may have adhered.

8)

Take hydrometer readings after elapsed time of 2 and 5, 8, 15, 30, 60 minutes
and 24 hours

Data Analysis:
Sieve Analysis:
1)

Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight of the
empty sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained soil, and record this mass as
the weight retained on the data sheet. The sum of these retained masses should
be approximately equals the initial mass of the soil sample. A loss of more
than two percent is unsatisfactory
13

2)

Calculate the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight retained on
each sieve by the original sample mass.

3)

Calculate the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100 percent
and subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a cumulative procedure.
For example: Total mass = 500 g
Mass retained on No. 4 sieve = 9.7 g
Mass retained on No. 10 sieve = 39.5 g

For the No.4 sieve:

Quantity passing = Total mass - Mass retained
= 500 - 9.7 = 490.3 g

The percent retained is calculated as;

% retained = Mass retained/Total mass
= (9.7/500) * 100 = 1.9 %
From this, the % passing = 100- 1.9 = 98.1 %

For the No. 10 sieve:

Quantity passing = Mass arriving - Mass retained
= 490.3 - 39.5 = 450.8 g
% Retained = (39.5/500) X 100 = 7.9 %
% Passing = 100- 1.9-7.9 = 90.2 %
(Alternatively, use % passing = % Arriving - % Retained
For No. 10 sieve = 98.1 - 7.9 = 90.2 %)
4)

Make a semi logarithmic plot of grain size vs. percent finer.

5)

Compute Cc and Cu for the soil.

14

Hydrometer Analysis
1)

Apply meniscus correction to the actual hydrometer reading.

2)

From Table 1, obtain the effective hydrometer depth L in cm (for meniscus

corrected reading).

3)

For known G of the soil (if not known, assume 2.65 for this lab purpose),
obtain the value of K from Table 2.

4)

Calculate the equivalent particle diameter by using the following formula

D = K

Where t is in minutes, and D is given in mm.

5)

Determine the temperature correction CT from Table 3.

6)

Determine correction factor a from Table 4 using G.

7)

Calculate corrected hydrometer reading as follows:

Rc = RACTUAL - zero correction + CT

8)

Calculate percent finer as follows:

P=
Where Ws is the weight of the soil sample in grams.

9)

Adjusted percent fines as follows:

PA =
F200 = % finer of #200 sieve as a percent

10)

Plot the grain size curve D versus the adjusted percent finer on the semilogarithmic sheet.

15

Grain Size Analysis

Date Tested: September 15, 2002
Visual Classification of Soil: Brown Clayey to silty sand, trace fine gravel
Weight of Container: 198.5 gm
Wt. Container + Dry Soil: 722.3 gm
Wt. of Dry Sample: 523.8 gm
Sieve

Diameter

Mass of

Mass of

Soil

Percent

Percent

Number

(mm)

Empty

Sieve+Soil

Retained

Retained

Passing

Sieve (g)

Retained (g)

10

2.0

99.27

135.77

36.5

7.0

83.5

20

0.84

97.58

139.68

42.1

8.0

40

0.425

98.96

138.96

40.0

75.5

60

0.25

91.46

114.46

23.0

4.4

63.4

140

0.106

93.15

184.15

91.0

17.4

46.1

200

.0.75

0.92

101.12

10.2

1.94

4.1

Pan

70.19

301.19

231.0

* Percent passing= 100Cumulative percent retained.

16

Experiment No. 1.
To determine the water-content of a soil sample by oven-drying
method.
Theory. The water content (w) of a soil sample is equal to the mass of water divided
by the mass of so1ids
X 100
where M1 = mass of empty container, with lid,
M2= Mass of the container with wet soil and lid,
M3 = mass of the container with dry soil and lid.

Equipment.
1.

Thermostatically controlled oven, maintained at a temperature of 1100 5C;

2.

Weighing balance, with accuracy of 0.04% of the mass of the soil taken;

3.

Desiccator, with any suit desiccating agent;

4.

Airtight container made of non-corrodible material, with lid;

5.

(5) Tongs.

Soil Specimen:
The soil specimen should be representative of the soil mass. The quantity of the
specimen taken would depend upon the gradation and the maximum size of particles.
For more than 90% of U particles passing 425 t IS sieve, the minimum quantity is 25
g.

Procedure:
(1)

Clean the container, dry it and weight it with lid (M1).

(2)

Take the required quantity of the wet specimen in the container and close it
with lid. Take the mass (M2)

(3)

Place the container, with its lid removed; in the oven till its mass becomes
constant (normally for 24 hours).

(4)

When the soil has dried, remove the container from the oven, using tongs.
Replace the lid on the container. Cool it in a desiccator.

Data Sheet for Water content by Oven-drying Method

S. No.

Observation

Determination No.
1

3
17

Observations
1

Container No.

401

Mass of empty container (M1)

20.12 g

Mass of container + soil (M2)

44.32 g

Mass of container + dry soil (M3)

41.15 g

402

403

Calculations
5

Mass of water, Mw = M2 M1

3.14 g

Mass of solids, MS = M3- M1

21.06 g

Water content, w = (5 *100)/6

14.91

Result:
The water content of the sample = 14.91%.
(5)

Find the mass (M3) of the container with led and dry soil sample

Observationss and Calculations:

Observetions and calculations are above in the data sheet

18

Experiment No. 2
To determine the liquid limit of a soil specimen.
Theory:
The liquid limit of a soil is the water content at which the soil behaves
practically like a liquid, but has small shear strength. It flows to close the groove in
just 25 blows in Casagrandes liquid limit device;
As it is difficult to get exactly 25 blows in a test, 3 to 4 tests are conducted, and the
number of blows (N) required in each test is determined. A semi-log plot is drawn
between log N and the water content (w). The liquid limit is the water content
corresponding to N = 25, as obtained from the plot.

Equipment
(1)

Casagrandes liquid limit device

(2)

Grooving tools of both Standard and ASTM types

(3)

Oven

(4)

Evaporating dish or glass sheet;

(5)

Spatula

(6)

425 IS sieve

(7)

Weighing balance, accuracy 0.01 g

(8)

Wash bottle.

Procedure:
(1)

Adjust the drop of the cup of the liquid limit device by releasing the two
screws at the top and by using the handle of the grooving tool or a gauge. The
drop should be exactly 1 cm at the point of contact on the base. Tighten the
screw after adjustment.

(2)

Take about 120 g of the air-dried soil sample passing 425 p. IS sieve.

(3)

Mix the sample thoroughly with distilled water in an evaporating dish or a

glass plate to form a. uniform paste. Mixing should be continued for about 15
to 30 minutes, till a uniform mix is obtained.

(4)

Keep the mix under humid conditions for obtaining uniform moisture
distribution for sufficient period. For some fat clays, this maturing time may
be upto 24 hours.

19

(5)

Take a portion of the matured paste and remix it thoroughly. Place it in the cup
of the device by a spatula and level it by a spatula or a straight edge to have a
maximum depth of the soil as 1 cm at the point of the maximum thickness.
The excess soil, if any, should be transferred to the evaporating dish.

(6)

Cut a groove in the sample in the cup by using the appropriate tool. Draw the
grooving tool through the paste in the cup along the symmetrical axis, along
the diameter through the centre line of the cam. Hold the tool perpendicular to
the cup.

(7)

Turn the handle of the device at a rate of 2 revolutions per second. Count the
number of blows until the two halves of the soil specimen come in contact at
the bottom of the groove along a distance of 12 mm due to flow and not by
sliding.

(8)

Collect a representative specimen of the soil by moving spatula width-wise

from one edge t the other edge of the soil cake, at right-angles to the groove.
This should include the portion of the groove in which the soil flowed to close
the groove.
Place the specimen in an air-tight container for the water content
determination. Determine the water content.

(9)

Remove the remaining soil from the cup. Mix it with the soil left in the
evaporating dish.

(10)

Change the water content of the mix in the evaporating dish, either by adding
more water if the water content is to be increased, or by kneading the soil, if
the water content is to be decreased.
In no case, the dry soil should be added to reduce the water content.

(11)

Repeat steps 4 to 10, and determine the number of blows (N) and the water
content in each case.

(12)

Draw the flow curve between log N and w, and determine the liquid limit
corresponding to N = 25.

20

Data Sheet for Liquid limit Test

S. No.

Observation

Determination No.
1

Observations
1

No. of blows (N)

15

Water content can No.

101

Mass of empty container (M1)

25.15 g

Mass of container + wet soil (M2)

36.93 g

Mass of container + dry soil (M3)

33.81 g

Calculations
6

Mass of water, Mw = M2 M3

3.12 g

Mass of dry soil, MS = M3- M1

8.66 g

Water content, w = (6*100)/7

36%

Result:
Draw a flow curve between log N and w. liquid limit (for N = 25)

21

Experiment No. 3
To determine the plastic limit of a soil specimen.
Theory:
The plastic limit of a soil is the water content of the soil below which it ceases to be
plastic. It begins to crumble when rolled into threads of 3 mm diameter.

Equipment:
(1)

Porcelain evaporating dish, about 120 mm diameter or a flat glass plate, 450
mm square and 10 mm thick

(2)

Ground glass plate, about 200 mm x 150 mm

(3)

Metallic rod, 3 mm dia. and 100 mm long

(4)

Oven

(5)

Spatula or palette knife

(6)

Moisture content can.

Procedure:
(1)

Take about 30 g of air-dried soil from a thoroughly mixed sample of the soil
passing 425 sieve.

(2)

Mix the soil with distilled water in an evaporating dish or on a glass plate to
make it plastic enough to shape into a small ball.

(3)

Leave the plastic soil mass for some time for maturing. For some fat clays, this
period may be even upto 24 hours.

(4)

Take about 8 g of the plastic soil, and roll it with fingers on a glass plate. The
rate of the rolling should be about 80 to 90 strokes per minute to form a thread
of 3 mm diameter, counting one stroke when the hand moves forward and
backward to the starting point.

(5)

If the diameter of the thread becomes less than 3 mm without cracks, it shows
that the water content is more than the plastic limit. Knead the soil to reduce
the water content, and roll it again into thread.
Repeat the process of alfemate rolling and kneading until the thread crumbles,
and the soil can no long be rolled into thread.
[Note. If the crumbling occurs when the, thread has a diameter slightly
greater than 3 aim, it may be taken the plastic limit, provided the soil had

22

been rolled into a thread of 3 mm diameter immediately .l kneading. Do not

attempt to produce failure exactly at 3 mm diameter.]
(6)

Collect the pieces of the crumbled soil thread in a moisture content container.

(7)

Repeat the procedure at least twice more with fresh samples of plastic soil
each time.

Data Sheet for Plastic Limit Test

S. No.

Observation

Determination No.
1

102

103

Observations
1

Moisture content Container No.

101

Mass of empty container (M1)

24.12 g

Mass of container + wet soil (M2)

30.28 g

Mass of container + dry soil (M3)

29.12 g

Calculations
5

Mass of water, Mw = M2 M3

1.16 g

Mass of solids, MS = M3- M1

5.00 g

Water content, w = (5 *100)/6

23.2 %

Result:
Plastic limit of soil = 23.2%

23

VISUAL CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS

Purpose:
Visually classify the soils.

Significance:
The first step in any geotechnical engineering project is to identify and
describe the subsoil condition. For example, as soon as a ground is identified as
gravel, engineer can immediately form some ideas on the nature of problems that
might be encountered in a tunneling project. In contrast, a soft clay ground is expected
to lead to other types of design and construction considerations. Therefore, it is useful
to have a systematic procedure for identification of soils even in the planning stages
of a project.
Soils can be classified into two general categories: (I) coarse grained soils and (2) fine
grained soils. Examples of coarse-grained soils are gravels and sands. Examples of
fine-grained soils are silts and clays. Procedures for visually identifying these two
general types of soils are described in the following sections.

Equipment:
Magnifying glass (optional)
34

24

Identification Procedure:
1)

Identify the color (e.g. brown, gray, brownish gray), odor (if any) and texture
(coarse or fine-grained) of soil.

2)

Identify the major soil constituent (>50% by weight) using Table 1 as coarse
gravel, fine gravel, coarse sand, medium sand, fine sand, or fines.

3)

Estimate percentages of all other soil constituents using Table I and the
following terms:
Trace - 0 to 10% by weight
Little - 10 to 20%
Some - 20 to 30%
And-30 to 50%
(Examples: Trace fine gravel, little silt, some clay)

4)

If the major soil constituent is sand or gravel:

Identify particle distribution. Describe as well graded or poorly graded. Wellgraded soil consists of particle sizes over a wide range. Poorly graded soil
consists of particles which are all about the same size.

Identify particle shape (angular, sub-angular, rounded, surrounded) using

Figure 1 and Table 2.

5)

If the major soil constituents are fines, perform the following tests:
Dry strength test: Mold a sample into 1/8 size ball and let it dry. Test the
strength of the dry sample by crushing it between the fingers. Describe the
strength as none, low, medium, high or very high depending on the results of
the test as shown in Table 3(a).

25

Dilatancy Test: Make a sample of soft putty consistency in your palm. Then
observe the reaction during shaking, squeezing (by closing hand) and vigorous
tapping. The reaction is rapid, slow or none according to the test results given
in Table 3(b).

During dilatancy test, vibration densifies the silt and water appears on the
surface. Now on squeezing, shear stresses are applied on the densified-silt.
The dense silt has a tendency for volume increase or dilatancy due to shear
stresses. So the water disappears from the surface. Moreover, silty soil has a
high permeability, so the water moves quickly. In clay, we see no change, no
shiny surface, in other words, no reaction.
Plasticity (or Toughness) Test: Roll the samples into a thread about 1/8 in
diameter. Fold the thread and reroll it repeatedly until the thread crumbles at a
diameter of 1/8. Note (a) the pressure required to roll the thread when it is
near crumbling, (b) whether it can support its own weight, (c) whether it can
be molded back into a coherent mass, and (d) whether it is tough during
kneading. Describe the plasticity and toughness according to the criteria in
Tables 3(c) and 3(d). A low to medium toughness and non-plastic to low
plasticity is the indication that the soil is silty; otherwise the soil is clayey.

Based on dry strength, dilatancy and toughness, determine soil symbol based
on Table 4.
6)

Identify moisture condition (dry, moist, wet or saturated) using Table 5.

7)

Record visual classification of the soil in the following order: color, major
constituent, minor constituents, particle distribution and particle shape (if
major constituent is coarse-grained), plasticity (if major constituent is finegrained), moisture content, soil symbol (if major constituent is fine-grained).
Examples of coarse-grained soils:
Soil 1 :Brown fine gravel, some coarse to fine sand, trace silt, trace
clay, well graded, angular, dry.

26

Soil 2:Gray coarse sand, trace medium to fine sand, some silt, trace
clay, poorly graded, rounded, saturated.

Examples of fine-grained soils:

Soil A: Brown lean clay, trace coarse to fine sand, medium plasticity,
moist, CL.
Soil B: Gray clayey silt, trace fine sand, non-plastic, saturated, ML.

27

Laboratory Exercise:
You will be given ten different soil samples. Visually classify these soils. Record al
information on the attached forms.

28

Table 1. Grain Size Distribution

Soil Constitution

Size Limits

Familiar

Boulder

12 (305 mm )

Larger than Basketball

Cobbles

3 (76 mm) 12 (305mm)

Grapefruit

Coarse Gravel

in .(19 mm) 3 (76mm)

Orange or Lemon

Fine Gravel

4.75 mm (No. 4 Sieve - in. (19 mm)

Grape or Pea

Coarse Sand

2 mm (No 10 Sieve) 4.75 mm (No. 4 Sieve)

Rock salt

Medium Sand

0.42 mm (No. 40 Sieve) 2mm ( No. 10 Sieve)

Sugar, Table Salt

Fine Sand

0.75 mm (No. 200 Sieve) 0.42 mm (No. 40

Powdered Sugar

Sieve)
Fines

Less than 0.0075 mm (No. 200 Sieve)

*Particles finer than fine sand cannot be discerned with the naked eye as a distance of
8 in (20 cm)

29

Table 2 Criteria for Describing Shape of Coarse-Grained Soil Particles

Description

Criteria

Angular

Particles have sharp edges and relatively plane sides with unpolished
surfaces

Sub-angular Particles are similar to angular description but have rounded edges.
Particle have nearly plane sides, bur have well-rounded corners and
edges.
Rounded

Particles have smoothly curved sides and no edges

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Table (3a). Criteria for Describing Dry Strength

Description
None
Low
Medium
High
Very High

Criteria
The dry specimen ball crumbles into powder with the slightest
handling pressure
The dry specimen crumbles into powder with some pressure from
fingers
The dry specimen breaks into pieces or crumbles with moderate finger
pressure.
The dry specimen cannot be broken with finger pressure. Specimen
will break into pieces between thumb and a hard surface.
The dry specimen cannot be broken between thumb and a hard surface

Table (3b). Criteria for Describing Dialatancy of a soil Sample

Description

Criteria

None

There is no visible change in the soil samples.

Slow

Water appears and remains on the surface during shaking or water

slowly disappears upon squeezing.

Rapid

Water quickly appears on the surface during shaking and quickly and
quickly disappears upon squeezing

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Description

Criteria

Non-Plastic

A 1/8 (3 mm) thread cannot be rolled at any water content

Low

The thread is difficult to roll and a cohesive mess cannot be formed

when drier than the plastic limit

Medium

The thread is easy to roll and little is needed to reach the plastic limit.
The thread cannot be rolled after the plastic limit is reached. The mass
crumbles when it is drier than the plastic limit

High

Considerable time is needed, rolling and kneading the sample, to

reach the plastic limit. The thread can be rerolled and reworked
several times before reaching the plastic limit. A mass can be formed
when the sample is drier than the plastic limit

Note: The plastic limit is the water content at which the soil begins to break apart and
crumbles when rolled into threads 1/8 in diameter.

Table (3d). Criteria for Describing Soil Toughness

Description

Criteria

Low

Only slight pressure is needed to roll the thread to the plastic limit.
The thread and mass are weak and soft.

Medium

Moderate pressure is needed to roll the thread to near the plastic limit.
The thread and mass have moderate stiffness.
Substantial pressure is needed to roll the thread to near the plastic
limit.

High

The thread and mass are very stiff.

32

SOIL CLASSIFICATION
DATA SHEET
Soil Number:

Soil A

Classified by:

RES

Date:

09-29-02
1.

Color

brown

2.

Odor

none

3.

Texture

Coarse

4.

Major soil

gravel

5.

Minor soil

sand, fines

Type

Approx. % by weight

Gravel

60

Sand

30

Fines

10

RES
6.

7.

For coarse-grained soils:

Gradation:

well graded

Particle Shape:

sub rounded

For fine-grained soils:

Dry Strength
Dilatancy
Plasticity
Toughness
Soil Symbol

8.

Moisture Condition: dry

Classification:
Brown gravel, some sand, trace fines, well graded, sub-rounded, dry

33