INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

1.1 INTRODUCTION:
The principal objective of soil classification is the prediction of engineering properties and behavior of a
soil based on a few simple laboratory or field tests. The result of these tests is then used to identify the soil
and put it into a group of soil that has similar engineering characteristics. Classification of soil system
involves different systems. The systems that are quite popular amongst engineer are The USCS (Unified
Soil Classification System) and AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials. In the USCS all soil are divided into three major divisions (Coarse grained, Fine grained and
highly organic). In AASHTO system soil classification involves different soil properties Grain size
distribution, liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit. The sites of study areas are three different sites
BUITEMS Takatu Camp Quetta, YAHYA Town Brewrey Road Quetta and SHAH MUHAMMAD Town
Qambrani Road Quetta.

The coordinates of BUITEMS site are:

The site lie in Quetta, Balochistan Province at approximate latitude: 301618.84N and
Longitude: 665613.09 E, between elevation 1573 meter (5192ft) above sea level.

The coordinates of YAHYA Town Brewrey Road site are:

The site lie in Quetta, Balochistan Province at approximate latitude: 309080.90N and
Longitude: 665834.96 E, between elevation 1675 meter (5528ft) above sea level.

The coordinates SHAH MUHAMMAD Town Qambrani Road site are:

The site lie in Quetta, Balochistan Province at approximate latitude: 301140.60N and
Longitude: 665928.51 E, between elevation 1653 meter (5456ft) above sea level.

1.2 CATEGORIES:
In the USCS, all soils are placed into one of three major categories. They are

INTRODUCTION

Coarse grained

Fine grained

Highly organic

CHAPTER 1

The USCS further divides soils that have been classified into the major soil categories by letter symbols,
such as:

S for Sand

G for Gravel

M for Silt

C for Clay

A soil that meets the criteria for clayey sand would be designated (SC). There are cases of borderline soils
that cannot be classified by a single dual symbol, such as GM for silty gravel. These soils may require a
dual symbol for a full description. For example, (SM-SC) describes sand that contains appreciable amounts
of silt and clay.

1.3 NEAR BY PROJECT AREA:

Fig 1.1 Arial View of project site on Pakistan Map (Google Map)

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

Fig. 1.2 Site Area of BUITEMS Quetta (Google Map)

Nearby BUITEM Site Area:

Airport Road, QESCO, Quetta Airfield, Shiek Manda Railway station, Agriculture University
Populated Place: Chashma, Mihtarzai, Samungli, Kilisahib Khan, Baleli, Qila Rahm Gul, Kili
Karam Khan, Chakul Muhammad Murad .
Abandoned Populated Place: Malazai, Tirkha, Mistri

Fig. 1.3 Site Area of Yahya Town Brewrey road Quetta (Google map)
3

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

Nearby YAHYAH TOWN area:

Bugthi Stadium , Railway Station, Railway Colony, Hudda Jail Center, Spini road.
Populated Area: Kili Deba, Gulshan Town, Wahadat Colony, Durrani Town, Faqir abad, Tarkha
Kasi, Essa Nagri.

Fig 1.4 Site Area of Shah Muhammad Town Qambrani Town Quetta (Google Map)

Nearby SHAH MUHAMMAD TOWN area:

Balochitan University, Geological Survey of Pakistan, Pakistan post office Quetta, Agriculture
Department, Qambrani road, Saryab Road , Grad station colony.
Populated Place: University colony, Kili Bangulzai, Bibi Ziarat Town, Mengal abad, Green
Town, Statlite Town.

1.4 OBJECTIVE OF WORK:

To predict and solve for the engineering properties of soil

To classify soils on the basis of laboratory analysis

To prepare web based soil charts to be used as didactic tool

To prepare a series of final presentations based on regional traditions in soil classification to be

incorporated

To evaluate for natural conditions of soil

To give the comparison between AASHTO and USCS classification

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

1.5 REQUIREMENTS FOR SOIL CLASSIFICATION:

Engineers dealing with soil mechanics devised a simple classification system that will tell the
engineer the properties of a given soil.

Soil must be identified according to their textural and plasticity qualities and on their grouping with
respect to behavior.

Soils are usually found in nature as mixtures with varying proportion of particles of different sizes,
each of these components contribute to the soil mixture.

Placement of solid into its respective group must be accomplished by visual examination and
laboratory tests.