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(Image: Attention!)

The term “Relative Density” is used exclusively for non-cohesive soils.

  • Non-cohesive soils can only be loosely and imperfectly compacted under direct static loads.
  • However, tamping or vibration methods can significantly improve compaction.

Soil is a multi-phase system made up of three main phases:

  1. Mineral Components (solid phase)
  2. Water (liquid phase)
  3. Air (gaseous phase)

Possible Phase Combinations in Soil:

  • Solid-Liquid
  • Solid-Gaseous
  • Solid-Liquid-Gaseous
(Image: The soil model)

The volume ratio between the three phases is described by the following parameters:

(Formula: Void ratio)

(Formula: Porosity)

(Formula: Degree of saturation)

(Image: Soil void ratio)

The higher the pore volume in relation to the total volume, the lower the density.

(Image: Density)

Relative Density: D = (nmax – n) / (nmax – nmin)

Density Index: lD = (emax – e) / (emax – emin)

Compactability: lF = (emax – emin ) / e

Classification and Designation of Non-Cohesive Soils
The relative density of non-cohesive soils (such as sands and gravels) is influenced by several factors, including:

  • Test Procedure
  • Overburden Pressure
  • Pre-loading
  • Particle Size Distribution

Using the relative density D and the density index lD, it is possible to determine the compaction of a soil sample.

(Table: Classification of non-cohesive soils according to density, N value and inner angle …

Proctor Compaction Test
The standard test used to determine the compaction of soil samples in the laboratory is the Proctor Compaction Test, conducted according to:

  • [[ASTM D698]]
  • [DIN18127:2012]

Purpose:
Compaction, as per this standard, aims to increase the dry density (reduce the pore percentage) of the soil through mechanical impacts [DIN18127:2012].

(Image: Manual proctor devices)

The Proctor Compaction Test (described in [[ASTM D7263]] and/or [DIN18127:2012]) is used to determine the influence of water content on the achievable density of a soil sample.

Test Procedure:

  • The soil sample is placed in a cylinder.
  • The sample is then compacted using tamping with a weight at various water content levels.
  • The defining parameters for the test are the drop height, weight, and number of blows.

Key Outcome:
The test reveals the maximum …

Cohesive Soils and Water Content

  • Cohesive soils change their state based on the water content.
  • When the water content is very high, the soil becomes liquid.

State Transitions as Water Content Decreases:

  1. LiquidPlastic condition
  2. PlasticSemi-solid condition
  3. Semi-solidSolid condition

Key Effects of Decreasing Water Content:

  • The soil becomes less mouldable.
  • The soil’s strength increases.

Consistency Limits of Soil (Atterberg Limits)

The water …

The consistency (condition) of cohesive soil can be determined either in-situ (on-site) or in a laboratory.

In-situ Test Method

The soil condition is classified based on the following observations:

  1. Very Soft Soil:

    • Runs through fingers when pressed together in a fist.
  2. Soft Soil:

    • Easily kneaded without much effort.
  3. Firm Soil:

    • Hard to knead, but can be rolled into thin rolls (~0.12 in / 3 mm) without ripping or crumbling.
  4. Stiff Soil:

    • Rips or crumbles

Using the soil samples' water content at the liquid and plastic limits, wL and wP (Atterberg consistency limit), according to [[ASTM D4318-10]] and/or [DIN18122], and the natural water content w, the consistency index IC (or CI) can be calculated :

(Formula: Consistency index)

The consistency index is a numerical representation of the consistency of a soil.

(Table: Consistency index IC and designation of the soil state of cohesive soils in accordance …

Soil Plasticity

Definition:
Soil plasticity is the property of a cohesive soil, which changes its mechanical behavior with changes in water content [DINENISO14688:2018].

Plasticity

The plasticity range lies between:

  • Liquid limit and
  • Plastic limit.

This range is further classified into three categories:

  1. Very Soft
  2. Soft
  3. Firm

[DIN18122]

(Image: Consistency band [Trian00])

The state conditions of the plastic range are shown as numerical values ​​in the table. The liquidity index IL = 1 - IC is also listed.

(Table: Conditions in the plastic range [DIN18122])

Plasticity Index (IP)

The degree of plasticity is based on the water content of the soil at its liquid limit (wL). According to standards like [ASTM D4318-10], [DIN 18196:2011], and [DIN EN ISO 14688:2018], plasticity is divided into three categories:

  1. Low Plasticity:

    • wL < 35% by weight
  2. Medium Plasticity:

    • 35% < wL < 50% by weight
  3. High Plasticity:

    • wL > 50% by weight

Purpose of the Plasticity Index (IP)

The plasticity index helps to:

  • Classify …

Special classifications and designations for fine soils (silt and clay) subject to the liquid limit wL can be found in EN ISO 14688-2.

[DINENISO14688:2018]

(Table: Classification of fine soils subject to the liquid limit wL or plasticity index IP as per EN ISO 14688-2)

Typical parameters for liquid limit (wL), plastic limit (wP) and plasticity index (IP) of several soil types, can be found in the table.

The plasticity index IP is illustrated in the plasticity diagram subject to the liquid limit wL.

(Table: Typical parameters for wL, wP and IP of selected types of soil)
(Image: Plasticity diagram according to Casagrande with soil groups to DIN 18196)

Soil explorations, that are to be carried out to the required extent and then to be appropriately evaluated, form the basis for the structural calculations of already existing, newly to be laid, or to be rehabilitated drains, sewers and associated structures by means of the open cut or trenchless method of construction.

For these applications, [[ASTM D2487-06]] classifies the types of soils as follows:

  • Category IClean, course grained soils: SW, …

For the design of sloping or benching systems, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) classifies soils from excavation operations as presented in the table below.

The soil classification, according to [[OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P App A]], are based on the definitions in whole or in part, the following; American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) Standards D653-85 and D2488; The Unified Soils Classification System; The U.S. Department …

The table below presents the classification of non-cohesive soils for engineering purposes based on particle size, coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and coefficient of curvature (Cc) [[ASTM D2487-06]].

(Table: Non-cohesive soil classification as per ASTM D2487)

The following table presents classification of cohesive soils for engineering purposes based on particle size, coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and coefficient of curvature (Cc) [[ASTM D2487-06]]. Cohesive soils do not crumble, are hard to break up when dry and include clayey silts, sandy clays, silty clays, and clays.

(Table: Cohesive soil classification as per ASTM D2487)

Organic soils are classified as per [[ASTM D2487-06]] according to the table below.

(Table: Organic soil classification as per ASTM D2487)

Organic fine-grained soils have a 50% or more passing rate through a No.200 sieve. Organic clays and organic silts are soils that would be classified as clay or silt, except that their liquid limit values after oven drying is less than 75 % of their liquid limit value before oven drying [[ASTM D2487-06]].

The table below presents a classification of organic fine-grained soils (OL and OH).

(Table: Classification of organic fine-grained soil (50% or …

A simpler differentiation is done in European standard [DINENISO14688:2004].

This standard differentiates soils based on soil type, designation and grain size.

(Table: Soil type and grain size fractions as per EN ISO 14688-1)

The main aim of The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) soil classification system is to have a system appropriate for highway sub-grade materials based on their performance. The AASHTO System has seven soil classes including A-1 to A-7. The soil is placed in the classes based on performance characteristics. A-1 is the highest and A-7 is the lowest. A-1 to A-3 are …