Field Classification of Soil Using the USCS
CVEEN 6340
I. General
A.
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Modified Unified Classification System for Field Classification of Soil
Soil descriptions given in this lecture are based on a modified version of ASTM standards
D 2487 and D 2488.
B.
Field Soil Description
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Consistency (fine-grained soils) or apparent density (coarse-grained soils)
Water content
Color description
Minor soil type name with "y" added if  30 percent
Descriptive adjective for main soil type
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Particle-size distribution adjective for gravel and sand
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Plasticity adjective and soil texture (silty or clayey) for inorganic and
organic silts or clays
Main soil type’s name (all capital letters)
Descriptive adjective, some or trace, for minor soil type if  30 percent
Minor soil type(s)
Inclusions
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) Group Name and Symbol appropriate
for the soil type in accordance with ASTM D 2487, with few exceptions, and
(symbol in parenthesis)

Geological name, if known, (in parenthesis)
The various elements of the soil description should generally be stated in the order given
above. For example:
Fine-grained soils
Soft, wet, gray, high plasticity CLAY, trace f. sand - Fat CLAY (CH);
(Alluvium)
Coarse-grained soils
Dense, moist, brown, silty m-f SAND, trace f. gravel to c. sand - Silty SAND
(SM); (Alluvium)
1.
Consistency and Apparent Density
Empirical values for the consistency of fine-grained soils and the apparent density of silts
and coarse-grained soils have been developed for the blow count (N-value) resistance
using a 2-inch OD, 24-inch long split-barrel sampler and standard penetration test energy
Field Classification of Soil Using the USCS
CVEEN 6340
(a 140-pound hammer dropped 30 inches) ASTM D 1586.
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Apparent Density of Coarse-Grained Soils
SPT N-Value (corrected)
Apparent Density
0-4
Very loose
5 - 10
Loose
11 - 30
Medium Dense
31 - 50
Dense
> 50
Very Dense
Consistency of Fine-Grained Soils
SPT N-Value
(uncorrected)
Consistency
Compressive
Strength
(ksf)
Results of Manual Manipulation
<2
Very Soft
< 0.5
Specimen (height = twice the diameter)
sags under its own weight; extrudes
between fingers when squeezed
3-4
Soft
> 0.5 - 1.0
Speciment can be pinched in to between the
thumb and forefinger; remolded by light
finger pressure
5-8
Medium stiff
> 1.0 - 2.0
Can be imprinted easily with fingers;
remolded by strong finger pressure
9 - 15
Stiff
> 2.0 - 4.0
Can be imprinted with considerable
pressure from fingers or indented by
thumbnail
16 - 30
Very stiff
> 4.0 - 8.0
Can be barely imprinted by pressure from
the fingers or indented by thumbnail
> 30
Hard
> 8.0
Cannot be imprinted by fingers or difficult
to indent by thumbnail
The apparent density and consistency of the soil formation can vary from these empirical
correlations for a variety of reasons. Judgment remains an important part of the visual
identification process. Mechanical tools such as the pocket (hand) penetrometer and the
Torvane are suggested to guide estimates of consistency. In some cases the sampler may
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Lecture Notes #3b
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
pass from one layer into another of markedly different properties; for example, from a
dense sand into a soft clay. In attempting to identify apparent density, an assessment should
be made as to what part of the blow count corresponds to each layer; realizing that the
sampler begins to reflect the presence of the lower layer before it reaches it.
Empirical criteria requires that the blow count from the modified California sampler be
converted to an "equivalent" standard penetration test blow count by multiplying the
modified California blow count by 0.8.
2.
Water Content (Moisture)
The amount of water present in the soil sample or its water content adjective should be
described as dry, moist, or wet as follows:
Description
Dry
Moist
Wet
Conditions
No sign of water and soil dry to touch
Signs of water and soil is relatively dry to touch
Signs of water and soil definitely wet to touch; granular soil
exhibits some free water when densified
The descriptor "damp" should not be used (use "moist"). The descriptor "saturated" should
not be used ( use "wet").
3.
Color
The color should be described when the sample is first retrieved at the soil's as-sampled
water content (the color will change with water content). Primary colors should be used
(brown, gray, black, green, white, yellow, red). The simplified color chart presented below
can be used as a reference for color determination. Soils with different shades or tints of
basic colors are described by using two basic colors; e.g., gray-green. Note that some
clients may require Munsell color and carry no inferences of texture designations. When
the soil is marked with spots of color, the term mottled can be applied. Soils with a
homogeneous texture but having color patterns which change and are not considered
mottled can be described as streaked.
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
4.
Type of Soil
The constituent parts of a given soil type are defined on the basis of texture in accordance
with particle-size designators separating the soil into coarse-grained, fine-grained, and
highly organic designations. Soil with more than 50 percent of the particles larger than the
(U.S. Standard) No.200 sieve (0.074 mm) is designated coarse-grained. Soil (inorganic and
organic) with 50 percent or more of the particles finer than the No. 200 sieve is designated
fine-grained. Soil primarily consisting of organic matter, dark in color, and with an organic
odor is designated as highly-organic soil (peat). The soil type designations follow ASTM D
2487; i.e., gravel, sand, clay, silt, organic clay, organic silt, and peat.
a.
Coarse-Grained Soils (Gravel and Sand)
Coarse-grained soils consist of gravel, sand, and fine-grained soil, whether separately or in
combination, and in which more than 50 percent of the soil is retained on the No.200 sieve.
The gravel and components are defined on the basis of particle size as follows:
Soil Component
Boulders *
Cobbles *
Grain Size
Determination
12 inch +
Measurable
12 inch to 3 inch
Measurable
Gravel
Coarse
Fine
3 inch to 3/4 inch
Measurable
3/4 inch to #4
Measurable
Sand
Coarse
Medium
Fine
#4 to #10 sieve
Measurable and visible to eye
#10 to #40 sieve
Measurable and visible to eye
#40 to #200 sieve
Measurable and barely
discernible to the eye
* Boulders and cobbles are not considered soil or part of the soil's classification or description, except under
miscellaneous descriptions; i.e. --, with cobbles at about 5 percent (volume).
The particle size distribution is identified as well graded or poorly graded. Well graded
coarse-grained soil contains a good representation of all particle sizes from largest to
smallest, with  12 percent fines. Poorly graded coarse-grained soil is uniformly graded
with most particles about the same size or lacking one or more intermediate sizes, with 12
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
percent fines.
Use the flow chart given earlier in this lecture to determine the group symbol and group
name for coarse-grained soils.
1) Capitalize soil type; i.e., GRAVEL, SAND.
2) Add particle-size distribution adjective in front of the soil type following the criteria
given below:
Particle-Size Adjective
Coarse
Coarse to medium
Medium to fine
Fine
Coarse to fine
Abbreviation Size Requirement
c. < 30% m-f sand or < 12% f. gravel
c-m < 12% f. sand
m-f < 12% c. sand and > 30% m. sand
f. < 30% m. sand or < 12% c. gravel
c-f > 12% of each size
The following simple field identification tests can be used as an aid in identifying granular
soils.
Feel and Smear Tests:
A pinch of soil is handled lightly between the thumb and fingers to obtain an impression of
the grittiness or the softness of the constituent particles. Thereafter, a pinch of soil is
smeared with considerable pressure between the thumb and forefinger to determine the
degree of roughness and grittiness, or the softness and smoothness of the soil.
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Coarse to medium-grained sands typically exhibit a very harsh and gritty fell and
smear.
Coarse to fine-grained sands have a less harsh feel, but exhibits a very gritty smear.
Medium to fine-grained sands exhibit a less gritty feel and smear which becomes
softer and less gritty with an increase in the fine sand fraction.
Fine-grained sands exhibit a relatively soft feel and a much less gritty smear than
the coarser sand components.
Silt components less than about 10 percent of the total weight can be identified by a
slight discoloration of the fingers after smear of a moist sample. Increasing silt
increases discoloration and softens the smear.
Sedimentation Test:
A small sample of the soil is shaken in a test tube filled with water and allowed to settle.
The time required for the particles to fall to a distance of 4 inches is about ½ minute for
particle sizes coarser than silt. About 50 minutes would be required for particles of 0.005
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
or smaller (clay size) to settle out.
Visual Characteristics:
Sand and gravel particles can be readily identified visually but silt particles are generally
indistinguishable to the eye. With an increasing silt component, individual sand grains
become obscured, and when silt exceeds about 12 percent, it masks almost entirely the
sand component from visual separation. Note that gray fine-grained sand visually appears
siltier than the actual silt content.
b.
Fine-Grained Soils
Fine-grained soils are those which 50 percent or more of the particles pass the No. 200
sieve.
Use the flow chart given earlier in this lecture to determine the group
symbol and group name.
1) Capitalize soil type; i.e., CLAY, SILT, ORGANIC CLAY, ORGANIC SILT, PEAT,
etc. Also, the group name of SILTY CLAY would be capitalized for dual symbol
fine-grained soils (CL-ML).
2) Use plasticity adjectives and soil types as adjectives to further define the soil type’s
texture, plasticity, etc. using the table below.
SOIL PLASTICITY DESCRIPTIONS
Plasticity
Index
Range
Plasticity
Adjective
ML & MH
(SILT)
CL & CH
(CLAY)
OL & OH
(ORGANIC
SILT OR
CLAY)
0
nonplastic
----
----
ORGANIC
SILT
1 - 10
low
plasticity
----
silty
ORGANIC
SILT
> 10 - 20
medium
plastic
clayey
silty to no adj.
ORGANIC
clayey SILT
> 20 - 40
highly
plastic
clayey
----
ORGANIC silty
CLAY
> 40
very
clayey
----
ORGANIC
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
plastic
CLAY
The following simple field identification tests can be used to estimate the degree of
plasticity of fine-grained soils.
Shaking (Dilatency) Test:
This test involves lightly squeezing the soil pat between the thumb and forefinger and
releasing it alternatively to observe it reaction and speed of response. Soils which are
predominantly silt (nonplastic to low plastic) will show a dull dry surface upon squeezing
and a glassy wet surface immediately upon releasing of the pressure. With increasing
fineness (plasticity) and the related decreasing dilatency, this phenomenon becomes less
pronounced.
Dry Strength Test:
A portion of the sample is allowed to dry out and a fragment of the dried soil is pressed
beteen the fingers. Fragments which cannot be crumbled or broken are characteristic of
clays with high plasticity. Fragments which can be disintegrated with gentle finger
pressure are characteristic of silty materials of low plasticity.
Thread Test:
Moisture is added or worked out of a small ball (about 1 1/2-inch diameter) and the ball is
kneaded until it consistency approaches medium stiff to stiff and it breaks, or crumbles. A
thread is then rolled out to the smallest diameter possible before disintegration. The
smaller the thread achieved, the higher the plasticity of the soil. Fine-grained soils of high
plasticity will have threads smaller than 1/32 inch in diameter. Soils with low plasticity
will have threads larger the 1/8 inch in diameter.
Smear Test:
A fragment of soil smeared between the thumb and forefinger or drawn across the
thumbnail will, by the smoothness and sheen of the smear surface indicate the plasticity of
the soil. A soil of low plasticity will exhibit a rough texture and dull smear, while a soil of
high plasticity will exhibit a slick, waxy smear surface.
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
FIELD METHODS TO DESCRIBE PLASTICITY
Plastic
Range
Plasticity
Adjective
Dry Strength
Smear Test
Thread Smallest
Diameter, in. (mm)
0
nonplastic
none-crumbles into
powder with mere
pressure
gritty or
rough
ball crakcs
1 -10
low
plasticity
low-crumbles into
powder with some
finger pressure
rough to
smooth
1/4 to 1/8 (3 to 6)
> 10 - 20
medium
plastic
medium - breaks into
pieces or crumbles
with considerable
finger pressure
smooth and
dull
1/16 (0.5 to 1)
> 20 - 40
high
plasticity
high- cannot be broken
with finger pressure;
will break into pieces
between thumb and a
hard surface
shiny
1/32 (0.75)
> 40
very
plastic
very high - can’t be
broken between thumb
and a hard surface
very shiny
and waxy
1/64 (0.5)
c.
Organic Silts and Clays
Organic silts and clays (with colloidal and amorphous organic materials) are identified and
classified in accordance with their decrease in plasticity upon oven drying (ASTM D
2487). Further identifiers are: (1) dark gray and black and sometimes dark brown colors,
although not all dark colored soils are organic; (2) most organic soils will oxidize when
exposed to air and change from dark gray/black to a lighter brown, i.e., the exposed surface
is brownish, but when the sample is pulled apart the freshly exposed surface is dark gray
/black; (3) fresh organic soils usually have a characteristic odor which can be recognized,
particularly when the soil is heated; ( 4) compared to nonorganic soils, less effort is
typically required to pull the material apart and a friable break is usually formed with a
fine granular or silty texture and appearance; (5) their workability at the plastic limit is
weaker and spongier than an equivalent nonorganic soil; and (6) the smear, although
generally smooth, is usually duller and appears more silty .
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
A fiber remnant root mat structure (mostly decomposed) is also sometimes detected within
organic soils, as are fossiliferous twigs and leaves. Such fine-grained soils would be
described as - - -; with pockets/lenses/layers of (give size/thickness) dark brown
decomposed PEAT (PT). Finally, as organic soil deposits get older, it appears that their
plasticity characteristics on the plasticity chart tend to go from below the "A"-line to above
it.
d.
Highly Organic Materials
These materials containing a predominance of undecomposed plant or woody fiber are
described as follows:
(1)
Root Mat: Pronounced structure of living root fibers characteristic of marsh or
swampy deposits.
(2)
Peat: Fossiliferous root mat with a varying degree of decomposition, often
containing a matrix of amorphous, colloidal organic clays and silts.
(3)
Humus: Decomposed root and leaf litter, characteristic of organic forest cover in
well-drained areas.
(4)
Lignite: Immature coals having a woody appearance, brown in color, which slake
and crumble on exposure.
5.
Minor Soil Type(s)
In many soils two or more soil types are present in the soil.
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If the percentage of the minor soil type is equal to or greater than 30 percent and
less than 50 percent of the total sample, the minor soil type is indicated by adding a
"y" to its name; i.e., f. gravelly, c-f. sandy, silty, clayey, silty clayey, organic silty,
etc. (Note: the gradation adjectives are given for the coarse-grained soils, while the
plasticity adjective is omitted for the fine- grained soils.)
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When the minor soil type percentage is between 12 and 29 percent of the total
sample, the minor soil type's name is given along with the adjective "some."
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When the minor soil type percentage is between 1 and 12 percent of the total
sample, the minor soil type’s name is given along with the adjective “trace.”
6.
Inclusions
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
Additional inclusions or characteristics of the sample can be described by using "with" and
the descriptions described above. Examples are given below:
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with petroleum odor
with organic matter
with foreign matter (roots, brick, etc.)
with shell fragments
with mica
with parting(s), seam(s), etc. of (give soils complete description)
7.
Layered Soils
Soils of different types can be found in repeating layers of various thickness. It is important
that all such formations and their thicknesses are noted. Each layer is described as if it is a
nonlayered soil using the sequence for soil descriptions discussed above. The thickness and
shape of layers and the geological type of layering are noted using the following
descriptive terms:
Type of Layer
Thickness
Parting
Seam
Layer
Stratum
Pocket
Lens
Varved (also layered)
< 1/16 in.
0.5 in. to 1/16 in.
12 in. to 0.5 in.
> 12 in.
Small erratic deposit
Lenticular deposit
Alternating seams or layers of silt and/or clay
and sometimes f. sand
One or less per foot of thickness or laboratory
sample inspected
More than one per foot of thickness or
laboratory sample inspected
Occasional
Frequent
Occurrence
Place the thickness designation before the type of layer, or at the end of each description
and in parentheses, whichever is more appropriate.
Examples of descriptions for layered soils are:
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Medium stiff, moist to wet 1/4"-3/4" interbedded seams and layers of: gray,
medium plastic, silty CLAY (CL); and lt. gray, low plasticity SILT (ML);
(Alluvium).
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Field Classification of Soil Using the Unified Soil Classification System
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Soft moist to wet varved layers of: gray-brown, high plasticity CLAY ( CH)
(1/4"-3/8"); firm, gray, medium plastic, silty CLAY (CL) (3/8"-1/2"); and
nonplastic SILT, trace f. sand (ML) {1/2"-3/4"); (Alluvium).
Medium stiff, moist, red-brown, medium plastic silty CLAY , trace f. sand - lean
CLAY (CL); with occasional 1/8" to 1/4" lenses of red-brown f. SAND, trace
silt -SAND with silt (SP-SM); (Alluvium).
8.
Geological Name
The soil description should include the Field Representative's assessment of the origin of
the soil unit and the geologic name, if known, placed in parentheses at the end of the soil
description or in the field notes column of the boring log.