SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS

Lesson 04
Chapter 4 Engineering Description, Classification and
Characteristics of Soils and Rocks

Testing Theory

Experience
Topics

g Topic 1 (Section 4.0, 4.1)

- Engineering description of soils
g Topic 2 (Section 4.2)
- Engineering classification of soils
g Topic 3 (Section 4.3, 4.4, 4.5)
- Engineering characteristics of soils
g Topic 4 (Section 4.6)
- Engineering description of rock and rock mass
classification
g Topic 5 (Section 4.7)
- Subsurface profile development
 Engineering Description,
Classification and Characteristics
of Soils and Rocks

Lesson 04 - Topic 1
Engineering Description of Soils
(Section 4.0, 4.1)
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Compare soil, rock and intermediate
geomaterials (IGMs)
- Contrast identification, description and
classification
- Perform engineering description of soil
Rock, Soil and IGM

g What is Rock?
g What is Soil?
g What is Intermediate GeoMaterial (IGM)?
Identification, Description and
Classification of Soils
g Identification
- Process of determining the components of a given soil,
e.g., gravel, sand, silt, clay, etc.
g Description
- Process of estimating the relative percentage of each
component of soil
- Description includes identification
g Classification
- Laboratory based process of grouping geomaterials with
similar engineering characteristics into categories
Soil Description

g Systematic naming of individual soils in both

written and spoken forms
g ASTM D 2488, AASHTO M 145
g Soil decription is used in the field during
logging
Soil Description

g Apparent consistency (e.g., soft, firm)

g Water content (e.g., dry, moist)
g Color
g Main soil type (e.g., Sand)
g Descriptive term for main soil type (e.g., fine,
medium, coarse, well-rounded)
g Particle-size distribution (e.g., uniform, well-
graded)
Soil Description

g Plasticity adjective (e.g., high, low)

g Soil texture (e.g., rough, smooth, waxy)
g Descriptive term for minor soil type(s) (e.g., with,
some, trace, etc.)
g Minor soil type name with y (e.g., silty)
- If fine-grained minor component <30%, >12%
g Descriptive adjective with if fine-grained
component is between 5 and 12%
g Inclusions (e.g., concretions, cementation)
g Geological name (e.g., Holocene, Jurassic)
Soil Description
Examples
g Fine-grained soils
- Soft, wet, gray, high plasticity CLAY, with f. Sand
(Alluvium)
g Coarse-grained soils
- Dense, moist, brown, silty m-f SAND, with f.
Gravel to c. Sand (Alluvium)
Apparent Density of Coarse-Grained
Soils (Table 4-1)
N60 Apparent Density Relative Density, %
04 Very loose 0 20
>4 - 10 Loose 20 40
>10 - 30 Medium dense 40 70
>30 - 50 Dense 70 85
>50 Very Dense 85 100
The above guidance may be misleading in gravelly soils.
 Unconfined Compressive
N60 Consistency
Strength, qu, ksf (kPa)
Results of Manual Manipulation

Specimen (height = twice the diameter)

< 0.5
<2 Very soft (<25)
sags under its own weight; extrudes
between fingers when squeezed.
Specimen can be pinched in two between
0.5 1
2-4 Soft (25 50)
the thumb and forefinger; remolded
by light finger pressure.
Medium 12 Can be imprinted easily with fingers;
4-8 (50 100) remolded by strong finger pressure.
stiff
Can be imprinted with considerable
24
8 - 15 Stiff (100 200)
pressure from fingers or indented by
thumbnail.
Can barely be imprinted by pressure
48
15 - 30 Very stiff (200 400)
from fingers or indented by
thumbnail.
>8 Cannot be imprinted by fingers or
>30 Hard >400 difficult to indent by thumbnail.
Note that N60-values should not be used to determine the design strength of fine grained soils.
Water Content

Description Conditions

No sign of water and soil dry to touch

Dry

Signs of water and soil is relatively dry to touch

Moist

Signs of water and soil definitely wet to touch;

Wet granular soil exhibits some free water when
densified
Particle Size Definition
Describing Size Distribution
g Table 4-4

g Table 4-5
Simple Tests for Soil Type
- Coarse-Grained Soils
g Feeland smear tests
g Sedimentation test
g Visual characteristics
Simple Test for Soil Type
- Fine-Grained Soils
g Shaking (dilatancy) test
g Dry strength test
g Thread test
g Smear test
Field Methods to Describe Plasticity
(Table 4-6)
Thread Smallest
Plasticity
Adjective Dry Strength Smear Test Diameter, in
Range
(mm)
none - crumbles into powder with gritty or
0 Nonplastic ball cracks
mere pressure rough
low - crumbles into powder with rough to 1/4 1/8
1 - 10 low plasticity
some finger pressure smooth (6 to 3)
medium - breaks into pieces or
medium smooth and 1/16
>10 - 20 crumbles with considerable
plasticity dull (1.5)
finger pressure
high - cannot be broken with
high finger pressure; spec. will 0.03
>20 - 40 Shiny
plasticity break into pieces between (0.75)
thumb and a hard surface
very high - cant be broken
very shiny 0.02
>40 very plastic between thumb and a hard
and waxy (0.5)
surface
Highly Organic Soils

g Dark gray and black (sometimes dark brown)

- Not all dark colored soils are organic
g When exposed to air, color of sample surface
changes from darker to lighter
- Pull apart sample to verify darker color inside
g Characteristic odor
g Friable
g Spongier
g DO NOT CONFUSE TOP SOIL WITH ORGANIC
SOILS OR PEAT
Minor Soil Types

g Trace(between 1 to 12%)
g Some (between 12 to 30%)
Inclusions

g Described using with

g Examples
- With petroluem odor
- With organic matter
- With foreign matter (roots, bricks, etc.)
- With shell fragments
- With mica
- With parting(s), seam(s) etc. of (give soils
complete description)
Layered Soils
(Table 4-7)
g Parting
g Seam
g Layer
g Stratum
g Pocket
g Lens
g Varved
g Occasional
g Frequent
Geological Name

g Potomac Group Formation

g Yorktown Formation
g Coconino Sandstone
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Compare soil, rock and intermediate
geomaterials (IGMs)
- Contrast identification, description and
classification
- Perform engineering description of soil
Any Questions?

THE ROAD TO
UNDERSTANDING
SOILS
AND
FOUNDATIONS
 Engineering Description,
Classification and Characteristics
of Soils and Rocks

Lesson 04 - Topic 2
Engineering Classification of Soils
(Section 4.2)
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Describe Unified Soil Classification System
(USCS)
- Explain soil plasticity chart
- Discuss the AASHTO soil classification system
Soil Classification

g Unified
Soil Classification System (USCS)
g AASHTO Soil Classification Sytem

g Classification of the soils is performed in the

laboratory
g Grouping of soils in terms of engineering
characteristics
USCS (Table 4-8, Table 4-9)
Classification of Coarse-Grained
Soils
g Coarse-grained soils are those in which 50%
or more by weight are retained on the #200
sieve
g Flow chart in Figure 4-1

gALWAYS REVIEW THE GRAIN SIZE

DISTRIBUTION CURVE
Flow Chart for Classifying Coarse-
Grained Soils (Figure 4-1)
Study GSD
Curves Curve B Curve A

g Figure 4-2
D60 =
0.6 mm

D 60
Cu =
D10 Curve C
D30 =
0.2 mm

2
D 30 D10 =
Cc = 0.075 mm

D 60 x D10
Classification of Fine-Grained Soils

g Fine-grained soils are those in which 50% or

more by weight pass the #200 sieve
g Determine Atterberg Limits, LL, PL
g Compute PI
g Use plasticity chart to classify fine-grained
soils
Plasticity Chart
Flow Chart for Classifying Fine-
Grained Soils (Figure 4-4b)
Flow Chart for Classifying Organic
Soils (Figure 4-4a)
Typical Soil Plasticity Descriptors
(Table 4-11, Table 4-12)
Adjective for Soil Type, Texture, and Plasticity
Chart Location
Plasticity Plasticity
Index Range Adjective ML & MH CL & CH OL & OH
(Silt) (Clay) (Organic Silt or Clay)1

0 nonplastic - - ORGANIC SILT

1 - 10 low plasticity - silty ORGANIC SILT
medium
>10 - 20 Clayey silty to no adj. ORGANIC clayey SILT
plasticity
>20 - 40 high plasticity Clayey - ORGANIC silty CLAY
>40 very plastic Clayey - ORGANIC CLAY
1 Soil type is the same for above or below the A-line; the dual group symbol (CL-OL
or CH-OH) identifies the soil types above the A-line.
AASHTO Soil Classification System

g Useful in determining the relative quality of

the soil material for use in earthwork
structures particularly embankments,
subgrades, subbases and bases
g Soil is classified in seven major groups
- A-1 to A-7
AASHTO Soil Classification System

g Soil is classified in seven major groups

- A-1 to A-7
g A-1, A-2 and A-3 are granular soils (<35%
pass #200 sieve)
g A-4, A-5, A-6 and A-7 are soils where more
than 35% pass the #200 sieve
- Silt and clay-type materials

g Table 4-13
Quality of the Highway Subgrade
Material
g Use Group Index (GI)
GI = (F-35)[0.2+0.005(LL-40)] + 0.01(F-15) (PI-10)
g IfGI<0, use GI=0
g Round GI to the nearest whole number, e.g., GI=3.4
to 3; 3.5 to 4
g No upper limit to GI
g Quality of performance as a subgrade material is
inversely proportional to the GI
- Higher GI means poorer material
Comparison of USCS and AASHTO
Soil Classification System
g Figure 4-6
g Figure 4-7
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Describe Unified Soil Classification System
(USCS)
- Explain soil plasticity chart
- Discuss the AASHTO soil classification system
Any Questions?

THE ROAD TO
UNDERSTANDING
SOILS
AND
FOUNDATIONS
 Engineering Description,
Classification and Characteristics
of Soils and Rocks

Lesson 04 - Topic 3
Engineering Characteristics of Soils
(Section 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5)
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Contrast engineering characterization for
coarse-grained and fine-grained soils
- Explain potential problems with organic soils
- Apply engineering characterization to practice
Sands and Gravels

g Generally very good foundation materials

g Generally very good embankment material
g Generally the best backfill material for walls
g Might settle under vibratory loads or blasts
g Dewatering may be difficult
g Generally not frost-susceptible
Fine-grained Soils (Inorganic Clays)

g Generally low shear strength

g Plastic and compressible
g Can lose part of shear strength upon wetting and
disturbance
g Can shrink upon drying and expand on wetting
g Generally very poor material for backfill
g Generally poor material for embankments
g Can be practically impervious
g Clay slopes are prone to landslides
Fine-grained Soils (Inorganic Silts)

g Relatively low shear strengths

g High capillarity and frost susceptibility
g Relatively low permeability
g Frost heave susceptibility
g Difficult to compact
Organic Soils

g Reduces load carrying capacity of soils

g Increases compressibility considerably
g Frequently contains toxic gases that are
released during excavation processes

g Not suitable as construction materials

Practical Aspects of Coarse-Grained
Soils
g Use well-graded soils as backfill
- Can be compacted to a dense state
g Use uniformly graded soils as drainage
materials
g Avoid gap-graded soils for drain materials
Practical Aspects of Fine-Grained
Soils
g Are more compressible
g Have greater potential to shrink upon drying
and swell upon wetting
g Are less permeable
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Contrast engineering characterization for
coarse-grained and fine-grained soils
- Explain potential problems with organic soils
- Apply engineering characterization to practice
Any Questions?

THE ROAD TO
UNDERSTANDING
SOILS
AND
FOUNDATIONS
 Engineering Description,
Classification and Characteristics
of Soils and Rocks

Lesson 04 - Topic 4
Engineering Description of Rock and Rock
Mass Classification
(Section 4.6)
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Identify rock characterization components
- Contrast intact rock and rock mass performance
- Describe rock mass classification
Description of Rock
International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM)

g Rock type
g Color
g Grain size and shape
g Texture (stratification / foliation)
g Mineral composition
g Weathering and Alteration
g Strength
g Other relevant factors
Rock Type
Table 4-16
g Igneous
- Intrusive (coarse grained)
- Extrusive (fine grained)
- Pyroclastic
g Sedimentary
- Clastic (sediment)
- Chemically formed
- Organic remains
g Metamorphic
- Foliated
- Non-foliated
Color and Grain Size

g Same as soils

g Table 4-17
g Table 4-18
Texture (Stratification/Foliation)
Table 4-19

g Describe stratum thickness

- Very thickly bedded > 1m
- Thickly bedded 0.5m to 1m
- Thinly bedded 50 mm to 500 mm
- Very thinly bedded 10 mm to 50 mm
- Laminated 2.5 mm to 10 mm
- Thinly laminated < 2.5 mm
Weathering and Alteration
Table 4-20
g Grade I Fresh
g Grade II Slightly weathered/altered
g Grade III Moderately weathered/altered
g Grade IV Highly weathered/altered
g Grade V Completely weathered/altered
g Grade VI Residual Soil
Rock Strength
Table 4-21
g R0 Extremely weak rock
g R1 Very weak rock
g R2 Weak rock
g R3 Medium strong rock
g R4 Strong rock
g R5 Very strong rock
g R6 Extremely strong rock
Rock Hardness
Table 4-22
gS Soft
gF Friable
g LH Low hardness
g MH Moderately hard
gH Hard
g VH Very hard
Rock Discontinuity
Table 4-23, Table 4-24
g Discontinuity type
g Type of infilling
g Amount of infilling
g Discontinuity spacing
g Discontinuity width
g Surface shape of joint
g Roughness of surface
g Aperture size
Rock Mass Classification
Table 4-25, 4-26
g Assign
a relative rating to 5 measurable
parameters (Table 4-25)
- Strength
- RQD
- Spacing of joints
- Condition of joints
- Groundwater conditions
g Rock Mass Rating (RMR) is the sum of all the
relative ratings
Rock Mass Classification
Table 4-27
g Using RMR, classify rock mass using Table
4-27
- Class I Very good rock
- Class II Good rock
- Class III Fair rock
- Class IV Poor rock
- Class V Very poor rock
g RMR is used to develop engineering
properties of rock, e.g., elastic modulus
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Identify rock characterization components
- Contrast intact rock and rock mass performance
- Describe rock mass classification
Any Questions?

THE ROAD TO
UNDERSTANDING
SOILS
AND
FOUNDATIONS
 Engineering Description,
Classification and Characteristics
of Soils and Rocks

Lesson 04 - Topic 5
Subsurface Profile Development
(Section 4.7)
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Review components of soil profile
- Construct subsurface soil profile
- Interpret subsurface soil profile
Subsurface Profile Development

g Interpret the engineering data

g Identify average soil and rock properties
g Locate groundwater level
g Notations for special items such as boulder,
artesian pressure, etc.
Subsurface Profile Development
Subsurface Profile Development
Use of Historical Data in
Development of Subsurface Profiles
g Historical data can be very useful
g Be careful and verify the intent, exact
location and accuracy of the development of
historical data
g If the historical boring cannot be located
properly then perhaps it should not be
included in the subsurface profile
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Review components of soil profile
- Construct subsurface soil profile
- Interpret subsurface soil profile
Any Questions?

Road to the
Laboratory
SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
Lesson 05
Chapter 5 Laboratory Testing
for Geotechnical Design and Construction

Testing Theory

Experience
Topics

g Topic 1 (Visit the laboratory)

- Laboratory session
g Topic 2 (All sections in Chapter 5)
- Classroom session
LABORATORY TESTING FOR
GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION
Lesson 05 - Topic 1
Laboratory Session
Visit the laboratory
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Identify tests conducted by the State Agency
- Recall the typical soils of the State
Back to the Classroom

BACK TO THE
CLASSROOM
SESSION
Learning Outcomes

g Atthe end of this session, the participant will

be able to:
- Identify tests conducted by the State Agency
- Recall the typical soils of the State
Interstate 0 Apple Freeway
Note: Scale shown in Station Form
S.B. N.B.
Apple Apple
Frwy Frwy

Baseline
Baseline 90
90 91
91 92
92 93
93
Stationing
Stationing
Interstate
Interstate 00

Proposed
Proposed Toe
Toe
of
of Slope
Slope
Proposed
Proposed Final
Final Grade
Grade
2 Proposed
Proposed
1 Abutment
Abutment
Existing
Existing
Ground
Ground Surface
Surface
 9
Subsurface Terrain reconnaissance
explorations Site inspection

Apple Freeway Basic soil

Subsurface borings
Visual description
Classification tests
properties
Exercise Laboratory testing po diagram
Test request
Soil profile

Consolidation results

g Appendix A Strength results

Slope Design soil profile

- Section A.3 Stability Circular arc analysis

Sliding block analysis
Lateral squeeze analysis

Approach roadway Design soil profile

settlement Magnitude of settlement
Rate of settlement
Surcharge
Vertical drains

Spread footing design Design soil profile

Pier bearing capacity
Pier settlement
Abutment settlement
Surcharge
Vertical drains

Driven pile design Design soil profile

Static analysis pier
Pipe pile
H pile
Static analysis abutment
Pipe pile
H pile
Driving resistance
Lateral movement - abutment

Construction Wave equation

monitoring Hammer approval
Embankment instrumentation
Develop a Preliminary Idealized Soil
Profile for Analysis and Design
g Step 1
- Locate the borings in plan
g Step 2
- Show elevation view of borings, soundings and
auger holes
g Step 3
- Develop preliminary idealized soil by
interpolating between borings to identify zones
where soils may have similar characteristics
Designers Interpretation of
Preliminary Idealized Profile
Summary of Soil Characteristics

g Based on field description

- Predominant soil types are sand, silty clay and sandy
gravel
g Based on laboratory classification
- Sand (SW), Silty Clay (CL), and Sandy Gravel (GW) as per
USCS
g Moisture content
- Shown next to N-values on the profile
g Subsurface profile
- Use CPT in conjunction with SPT based profile
- CPT indicates that silty clay layer may contain distinct
seams of silt which can reduce consolidation time
Any Questions?

THE ROAD TO
UNDERSTANDING
SOILS
AND
FOUNDATIONS