Designation: 02488 - 09a Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)’ Supt epson (e) lnicts selral cane ice This senda has ben approved for use 1, Seope* 1.1. This practice covers procedures for the description of soils for engineering pusposes 1.2 This practice also describes a procedure for identifying soils, at the option of the user, based on the classification system described in Test Method D2487. The idestitication is based on visual examination and manual tests. It must be clearly stated in reporting an identification that it is based on visual-manual procedures 1.2.1 When precise classification of soils for engineering purposes is required, the procedures preseribed in Test Method 2487 shall be used. 1.2.2 In this practice, group symbol and nan 3 in, (75 mm), 1.2.3. The identification portion of this practice is limited to naturally occurring soils (ether intact or disturbed) be identification portion assigning a is imsited to soil particles smaller than ‘Now 1 This such materials sh x2, 1.3 ‘The descriptive information in this practice may be used ith other soil classification systems or for materials other than raturally oecurting soils, 1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be segarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions 10 SE units that are provided for information only ‘and are not considered standard, 15 This standard does not purport so address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use, It ie the responsibility of the user of this standard f0 establish appro priate safety and health practices and determine the applica bility of regulatory Limitations prior to use, For spesitic precautionary statements see Section 8, L6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing ‘one or more specific operations. This document camat replace sctice may be used asa deseritive system applied 10 Iayston, shells croshed took, ete (See Appr, "his practice sue the usition af ATTM Contos IS an Soi nd Roc is the ist rss Sabeitee D807 on IMentestion tod Clasoalon of Sos, ‘Gusent edn approved June 1S, 2008, Publied July 2009. 0% rove 1955, ast previo en approved 2009 as BIKE (nr s30b2488 6A. Do! iran DAH th sumer ins ‘ign eopton onthe ene of revision ts yn flat vison. A taber In preteen th yet last plat evan or rtpeova sly folowing he designation es the yor of ences of th Depart of Defense education or experience and should be used in conjunction wit professional judgment. Not all aspects ofthis practice may be applicable in all circumstaaces. This ASTM standart is not Intended to represent or replace the standard af care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied withow consideration of ny unique aspeets. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process. fa prnject's ms 2, Referenced Documents 21 A ndaris:? 1653 Terminology Relating t0 Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids 11452. Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by Borings ISB ‘Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split- Barrel Sampling of Soils DIS87 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes D2I13 Practice for Rock Co: Rock for Site Investigation 1D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Enginesring Purposes (Unified Soil Classification Syste) 13740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction 14083 Practice for Deseription of Frozen Soils (Visual ‘Manual Procedure) Drilling and Sampling of Terminology 3.1. Definitions Except as listed below, all definitions are in accordance with ‘Terminology D6S3, Nore 2—For panicles tho following definitions are Cabbie opening ined on & Sin. (S-man) US standard sieve, sggested ticles of cock that will poss a 12-n. (200-mm) square rit be retained on & $n. (2S sieve, and 2 or uefeensed ASTM sanded, vis the ASTM website, wwnasinor, or conic ASTM Cason Sees evice ast, Toe Aral Rook of ASTAE ny rlerto te standart’ Dacre Suna fag on "A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of ths standardAf v24ae - 098 Boutsers opening patie of sovk that will not pass 12-5, 200-0) square 3.1.1 elay—soil passing a No. 200 niads to exhibit plasticity (putty-like properties) wi of water contents, and that exhibits considerable ste airdry. For classification, a clay is a fine-grained soil, or the fine-grained portion of a soil, with a plasticity index equal to or greater than 4, and the plot of plasticity index versus liquid limit f Jpove the “A” Hine (see Fig. 3 of Test Method 12487). 3.1.2 gravel—partieles of rock that will pass a 3-in, (75 rm) sieve and be retained on 4 No, 4 (¢.75-ma) sieve with the Jollowing subdivisions oarse—passes a 3-in. (7: Yen, (19-mon) sieve, “fne—passes a Yin, (19-men) sieve and is retained on a No, 4 (4.75-mmp sieve 3.1.3 organic clay—a clay with sufficient organie content to influence the soil properties, For classification, an organic clay is a soil that would be classified as a clay, except t limit value after oven drying is less than 75 value befoze oven dying. 3.14 organic sila silt with sullicient organic content to {influence the soil properties. Fos classification, an organic silt su soil that would be classified as a sil except that its liquid limit value after oven drying is less than 75 % of its liquid limit value before oven drying. 3.1.5 peat-a soil composed primarily of vegetable tissue in various stages of decomposition usually with an organic odos, a dark brown to black colcr, a spongy consistency, and & texcure ranging from fibrous to amoxphous, 3.1.6 sand—particles of rock that will pass a No. 4 (4.75. nin) sieve and be retained on a No, 200 (75-4) sieve with the following subdivisions: coarse passes a No, 4 (A.75-anm) sie No. 1D (2.00-mm) sieve. mediwon—passes a No, 10 (2.00-mm) sieve can a No, 40 (4 “fine—passes a No, 40 (425-sm) sieve and is retained on a No, 200 (75-um) sieve, 3.1.7 silisoil passing a No. 200 (75-ym) sieve that is nonplastic or very slightly plastic and that exhibits litle or n strength when air dry. For classification, a silt is a fine-grained soil, or the fine-grained portion of a soi, with a plasticity index less than 4, or the plot of plasticity index versus liguid limit falls below the "A" line (see Fig. 3 of Test Method D2487). jum) sieve that ean he nm) sieve and is retained on c and is retained on lis retained 4, Summary of Practice 4,1 Using visual examination and simple manual tes, this practice gives standardized criteria and procedures for describ Sng and identifying soils, 4.2 The soil can be given an identification by assigning a group symbol(s) and same, The How chats, Fig. La and Fig. Lb for fine-grained soils, and Fig. 2, for coarse-grained soils, can be used to assign the appropriate roup symbol(s) and nance. If the soil has properties which do not distinetly place it into a specific group, borderline symbols may be used, see Appendix X3. Nora 5-1 is suggested thar s distinction be wade between dual symbols and borderinesymbot ual Symbol dual symbol is two symbols separated by a hyphen, {or exanaple, GP-GM, SW-SC, CLM used to indicate thatthe sil has been ier as having the properties of a classieaton in aevordanes with Test Method D2487 where two symbols are required, Two symols fare routed when the soil as between San 12S nes oe when he tga Tit and plastcty index values plot inthe CL-MLazea of the plasticity Borderine Symbol—A bordesine symbol is two symbols separated by a slash, for example, CLICH, GMUSM, CLIML. & honderine sym! shel ‘ye used to indicate tha the sil has boon identified as having propersis hat do aot distinctly place the soil into a spect group (see Appendia x3), 5, Significance and Use 5.1 ‘The descriptive information required in this practice can be used to desezibe a soil to aid in the evaluation of its significant properties for engineering use. 5.2 The descriptive information required in this practice should be used 10 supplement the classification of a soil as termined by Test Method D2487, 53 This practice may be used in identifying soils using the classification group symbols and names as preseribed in Test ‘Method D2487, Since the names and symbols used in this, practice to identify the soils are the same as those used in Test Method D2487, i shall he clearly stated in reports and all other ‘approptiate documents, that the classification symbol and name are based on visual-manua procedures, 5A This practice is to be used not only for identification of soil in the feld, but also in the office, laboratory, or wherever soil samples are inspected and described. 5.5 This practice has particular value in grouping similar soil samples so that ony @ minimuns number of laboratory tests need be run for positive soil classification, Nowe 4-The ability to describe and identity soils conectly is learned ‘more realy usder the guidance of experiences personal, but may’ also be ucgured systematically by comparing numerical laboratory test resus fo ypicl soils of exch type with tsi visual and mann characterises, 5.6 When describing and identifying soil samples from a given boring, test pit, or group of borings or pits, itis not necessiry (© follow all of the procedures in this practice for every sample, Soils which appear to be similar can be grouped together; one sample completely described and identified with the others referred to as similar hased on performing omly a few ‘of the descriptive and identification proceduses des this practice, 5.7 ‘This practice may be used in combination with Practice 4083 when working with frozen soils ribed in Nom; 5—Notwithstantig th nine in this standard: The preision of this test mend is degendent on the competence ofthe personel performing it andthe suitebilty af the csqupment and facilites used. Agencies that meet the exteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable oF competent and objective testing, Users of ths tat method ate cautioned that compliance with Practice D374 docs tn ge ase relthe testing. Reliable texting depenis on several factor; Prictioe DS740. provides a maeane for sotue of those acters, statements on precision and bigs com(fly 02488 - 09 GROUP_SYMBOL <20% plus No. 200 —— m< A gd x gre <20% plot No, 200 —=——* < 18% plus No, 200. _-r 20% pln Ne. 200 MH< * 290% plus No, 200-—<—— [NOTE 1—Porenloges ar based on astinating amounts fies sand, and gravel oho nares Fi. 1a Flow Cher for lentiying nergaie Fine-Graned Sol (50% er ore tines) GROUP SYMBOL 30% pls No. 200 = OL/OH< “S 0s pts No, 200 <= NOTE 1—Porcantagas ae basod on -<18% plus No, 200 16.25% pl No, 200—__» % sand 2X gravel ——= Silt with ar sand ot = 104 plus No, 200 —— GROUP NAME #216 tans ————> Gravay ea lay with sand Es an lay th grovel 8k ts Gn ey E218K sand —————® Gravlly fat lay with san Er ¥8:25% pls No, 200 ——_—> sand 2 gravel-——> Elati ilt with aan ES sind gravel > lant it with gravel > Sandy slate nit, it with eal FIG. 1 b Flow Chart for identifying Organic Fine-Grained Soll (60 % or more fines) 6. Apparatus 6.1 Required Apparatus: GL Pocker Knife or Smalt Spatula 6.2 Useful Ausiliary Apparatus 6.2.1 Test Tube and Stopper (ot jar with a lid. 622 H ud Lens. 7. Reagents 7.1 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indie: to waler shall be understood to mean water from a city water supply or natural source, including non-potable water, 7,2 Hydrochloric Acid—A small bole of dilute hydsochlo- ric avid, HCL, one part HC] (10 N) to three parts water (Th reagent is optional for use with this practice), See Section 8, references 8. Safety Precautions 8.1 When preparing the dilute HCI solution of one pas concentrated hydrochloric acid (10) 10 three parts of distilled ‘water, slowly add acid into water following necessary safety precautions, Handle with caution and store safely. If solution comes into contact with the skin, rinse thoroughly with water 8.2 Cantion—Do not add water to acid, mpling 9.1 The sample shall be considered to be representative of the stratum from which i was obtained by an appropriate, aaccepled, or standasd procedure, Nos 6 Preferably, the sampling procedure should be identified as hhaving been conducted in accordance with Practices D1482, DI: D213, or Test Method D155. 9.2 Th ssanple shall be carefully identified as to origin, [Notw 7-—-Remarks as to the origin may take the form of « boring uber and sanupleramber in conuesion wll a job nur a geologic Sm, a pedologie horizan ot 9 Toeation description with respect toa Permanent imomuien, a grid system ora slalion umber und ose wih spect © stated centerline and depth ot‘Al 02488 - 098 / en nt Lance tame Stents € tanec Now 1—Pereesiages are bused —__—-ew~. rem ort — + GW-GM. GROUP SYMBOL GROUP NAME ~GP— -Gwcc— —_-GP-cM. on estimating amounts of fines, sandy ad gravel to the nearest $ % FIG. 2 Flow Chart for Identifying Coarse-Gralned Solls (less than 50 % fines) 93 For accurate description and identification, the mini- mum amount of the specimen to he examined shall be in accordance with the following schedule, oxen Pate Si, isin Soacian 82, "Sve Opening Dry Waight rm (No.4) 100 928 by seo mm Cn) uy 2b) Si im (1s 9 804g 16 6) 7s0nm Gin) 60.0 182 By [Nam $-If random iso paticies are enoousterel that are signif ‘ony leper than the paces inthe 89 tax, the soll matin ca be fsocutsely described and identified in accordance with the preceeding schedule, 91 AC the ficld sample or specitnen being examined is smaller than the minimum recommended amount, the report shall include an appropriate remark 10, Deseriptive Information for Soils 10.1 Angularity—Deseribe the angularity of the sand coarse sizes only), gravel, cobbles, and boulders, as angular, subangular, subrounded, or rounded in accordanee with the criteria in Table 1 and Fig, 3. A range of angulasity may be sated, such as: subrounded to rounded. 10.2 Shape—Describe the shape of the gravel, cobbles, and boulders as Oat, elongated, or fat and elongated if they meet the criteria in Table 2 and Fig, 4. Otherwise, de not mention the shape. Indicate the fraction ofthe particles chat have the shape, such as: one-third of the gravel particles are fa TABLE 1 Criteria for Describing Angularity of Coarse-Grained Particles (see Fig. 3) Descipton Sree Pati hav sharp edbe6 and lately plane is Unpatshed suacss Parsi are ala to angus Sse Parties neve nea plan aes but ha ‘oars aod ages Parle nave smoothly cud soe and no pton but have wttounde Deseribe the color, Color is an important property in identifying organic soils, and within a given Tocality it may also he useful in identifying materials of similar geologic origin. If the sample contains layers or patches of Varying colors, this shall be noted and all representative colo:s shall be described. The color shall be described for moist samples. Ifthe color represents a dey condition, this shall be stated in the report 10.4 Odor—Deseribe the odor if organic or unususl, Soils containing a significant amount of organie material usually have a distinctive odor of decaying vegetation. This is espe cially apparent in fresh samples, but if the samples are dries the odor may ofien be revived by healing a moistened sample, If the odor is unusual (petcoleum product, chemical, and the like), it shall be described. 10.5 Moisture Condition—Describe the moisture condition as dry, moist, or wet, in aecordamee with the eriteria in Table 3, 10,6 HCI Rewetion Describe the reaction with HCL as none, weak, oF strong, it accordance with the eritera in Tablefly v2aas - 09a FV (Rounded (0) Arte a he * a le) sekeunl (4) Soanptae FIG, 9 Typleal Angularity of Bulky Grains TABLE 2 Crtoria for Describing Particle Shape (soe Fig. 4) he parce erase sal be desebed a lowe ahore eng, wd en ‘heknets retro the asta, nisacat, ana ln densi fa pa, ‘eeu PARTICLE SHAPE W=WiOTH as Paris wit watstinnese > 3 T=THICKNESS: Elongated Paris wih engivwish » 8 4, Since calcium earbonate is a common cementing report of ils presence on the basis of the reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid is important, 307 Consistency—For intact fine grained soil, describe the consistency as very soft, soft, firm, ba aed, in accordance with the criteria in Table 5. This observation is inappropriate for soils with significant amounts of gravel. 108 m—Deseride the cementation of intact coarse-grained soils as weak, moderate, or strong, in ceor dance with the erteria in Table 6 10.9 Siructure-—Deseribe the structure of intact soils in accordance with the eriteria in Table 7. 10.10 Range of Particle Sizes—For gravel and sand com- ponents, deseribe the range of particle sizes within each component as defined in 3.1.2 and 3.1.6. For example, about 20 % fine to coarse gravel, about 40% fine to couse sand 10.11 Maximum Particle Size—Desesibe the maximots par at LAT: W/T > tel size found in the sample in accordance with th following a Tes information ELONGATED! L/W >3 TOIL Sond SigeKC the maximum particle size is sand FLAT AND ELONGATED: size, describe as fine, mem, oF coarse as defined in 3.6, ~meets both criteria For example: maximmim particle size, medium sand. 10.1.2 Gravel Size—It the maximum particle size is a pravel size, deseribe the maximum particle size us the smallest FIG, 4 Criteria for Particle Shape sicve opening that the particle will pass. For example, maxifly’ v2a88- 09a TABLE 3 Criteria for Describing Moisture Concition Desa “Absence ot wale iy, ty oe ous Deng butne vatis water ‘bo ro ler sly soe balow water Sb ‘TABLE 4 Criteria for Describing the Reaction With KC! forming inedately TABLE 5 Criteria for Describing Consistency ony or Tha wil pena coll ere an 1S son “Trenb wl pone sl abou (28 mm) Fm ‘Tha wl non so about. re) a Thunb wl ot nde so but esl Haste wth hurt Nery pare___Thurb i ot inst sl TABLE 6 Criteria for Describing Comentation sacar om Weal cai wth Panag ie Tage pose Moderate Craries ov beans rh cnatorable nga pretawre Exon vate or baat ger eene TABLE 7 Criteria for Describing Struct ‘Sales ‘Aarnating layor ofvaning mated or cr wih aye Test men fee not kos Laminates lorating lays varying rater or clo withthe Iajors 58 than 6m tek: nso thle oeues fren alona deta panos of factura wes Ee ur lanes spear poor goss, eamatnas std ocy Cori gl at ean bo oko down nto nal angler Lanse Ineunon of sta pester of dare: coll, such ae em faneas o! sand soto frag & mes ‘ake en Same color and apoesranc toughout sum particle size, 14 in. (will pass a LY-in, square opening bot not a Yin, square opening), 1.113 Cobble or Boulder Sie—IE the inaximum particle size is 4 cobble or boulder size, describe the maximum dimension of the largest particle. maximum dimension, 18 in, (450 mm) 10.12 Hardiness—Describe the hardness of coarse sand and larger particles as hard, or state what happens when the particles are hit by a harmmes, for example, gravel-size particles fiaclure with considerable hammer blow, some gravel-size pasticles crumble with hammer blow. “Hard” means particles do not crack, fracture, or cramble under a hammer blow. 10.13 Additional comments shall be moted, such as the presence of roots of eoot holes, difficulty in dilling er augerit bole, eaving of trench or hole, or the presence of mica, ‘or example 10.14 A Jocal or commercial name or a geologic imerpre- lation of the soil, or both, may be added if identitied as such, 10.15 A classification or identification of the soil in accor dance with other classification systems may be added if identified as such, 11, Identification of Peat IL1 A sample composed primarily of vegetable tissue in various slages of decomposition that has a fibrous (© amor- phous texture, usually a dark brown to black color, and an nig odat, shall be designated as a highly organie soil and shall be identified as peal, PT, and not subjected to the identification procedures described hereattcr 12, Preparation for Identification 12.1 ‘The soil identification portion of this practice is based on the portion ofthe soil sarmple that will pass a 3-in, (7S-mm) sieve, The larger than 3-in, (75-mm) particles must be re moved, manually, for 8 loose sample, or mentally, For an intact sample before classifying the sol 12.2 Fstimate and note the percentage of cobbles and the percentage of boulders, Performed visually, these estimates will be on the basis of volume percentage Nate: 9—Since the percentages ofthe particle-size dissibution in ‘Test Math D287 age by dey weigh, and the estimstes of percentages foe gravel, sand, and ines in this practice are by dry weight, itis reeom- ‘mended thar the repot state thet the percentages oF eobios and baw) sre by volume, 12.3 OF the fraction of the soil sinaller than 3 in, (7S mm), estimate and note the percentage, by dry weight, of the gravel sand, and fines (see Appendix X4 for suggested procedures), Nom 1f-Sines the patele-size componsnts appear visually on the busis of volume, considerable exnerience is reguied to esimets the percentages 08 the basis of ty weigh. Frequent comparisons. wit Inborstory pasticle-size analyses should be wade 12.3.1 The percentages shall be estimated tothe closest 5 % ‘The percentages of gravel, sand, and fines must add up to 100 %. 123.2 If one of the components is present but not in suflicient quantity to be considered 5% of the smaller than, 3-in. (75-mm) portion, indicate its presence by the term «race, forexample, trace of fines. A trace is not to be considered in the total of 100 % for the components. 13, Preliminary Identification 13.1 ‘The soil is fine grained if it contains 50% or more fines. Follow the procedures for identifying fine-grained soils Section 14, 13.2 The soil is coarse grained if it contains less than 50 % fines. Follow the procedures for identifying, coarse-grained soils of Section 15 14, Procedure for Identifying Fine-Grained Soils 14.1 Scleot a representative sample of the material for examination. Remove particles Targer than the No, 40 sieve (medium sand and laeger) until a specimen equivalent to shout ‘a handful of material is available, Use this specimen for seclorming the dry strength, dilatancy, and toughness tests.fly v2ass - 09a 14.2. Dry Strength 14.2.1 From the specimen, select enough material to mold into a ball about 1 in, (25 mm) in diameter. Mold the material ‘unlit i¢ has the consistency of patty, adding water if necessary. 1422 From the molded material, make at least three test ‘mens. A test specinnen shall be all of material about 14 2 mm) in diameter. Allow the test specimens to dry in ais, in.¢ oo sua, oF by artificial means, as Long. as the temperature does not exceed 60°C. 14.2.3 I the test specimen contains natural dry Tumps, those that are about % in. (12 mm) in diameter may be used in place of the molded balls [Nore 11—The prooess of molding and drying usually produces higher than a fond in natral dry ups 0 oi 14.24 Test the strength of the dry balls or lumps. by crushing between the fingers. Note the strength as none, low, ‘medium, high, or very high in accorance with the criteria in ‘Table 8, Ifnatural dry lumps are used, do not use the results of any of the lumps that are found to contain pasticles of coarse send, 14.2.5 The prosenee of high-strength water-soluble coment ing materials, such as calcium carbonate, may cause excep- tionally high dry strengths. The presence of calcium carbonate ccan usually he detected from the intensity of the renetion with dilute hydrochloric acid (see 10.6). 14.3 Dilarancy: 143.1. From the specimen, seleet enough material to mold into a ball about #4 in, (12 mm} in diameter, Mold the materi adding water if necessary, until it has a soft, but not consistency. 14.3.2 Smooth the soil ballin the palm of one hand with the blade of a knife or small spatula, Sheke horizontally, striking the side of the hand vigorously against the other hand several times. Note the reaction of water appearing on the surface of the soil. Squeeze the sample by closing the hand or pinching, the soil between the fing slow, or rapid in accordance with the eriteria in Table 9, The reaction isthe speed with which water appears while shaking and disappears while squeezing, 144 Toughness 14.4.1 Following the completion of the dllataney test, the test specimen is shaped into an clongated pat und rolled by hand on a smooth surface or between the palms into a thread bout Yin, (3 mim) in damnster, (the sample is (oo wel to roll easily, it should be spread into a thir layer and allowed to lose ets, and noie the reaction as none, TABLE 8 Criteria for Describing Dry Strength Teearnion om one Tho pow win ave prose ot handing tow “Tho 3 spose cribs ito powders some Hnoer Medium ‘The oy specimen breaks ‘nto places or cubles wth Hoh The ay specimen carat be broken wth Bags restr. ‘overran wil reno paoea Been tum and Very high Tho iy specnen eet Be Broan hao he amt as 8 “ad srface TABLE 9 i Nowe Novels angele ho wpocmon Sow Wolo pea sonly on be sac of he spacinen ng Squeezing Rept ar eprans quik on hasten othe some water by evaporation.) Fold the sample threads and repeatedly until the thread crumbles ata diameter of about + in, The thread wil! erumble at a diameter of Yin, when the soil is near the plastic limit, Note the pressure required to roil the Unread near the plastic limit, Also, note the strength of the thtead, After the taread crumbles, the pieces should be lumped logether an kneaded until the Tump crumbles, Note the toughness of the material during kneading, 1442 Deseribe the toughness of the thread! and lump as ow, inedium, or high in accordance with the criteria in Table 10, 14.5 Plasticity—On the basis of observations made during he toughness test, describe the plasticity of the material in accordance with the criteria given in Table 11 14.6 Decide whether the soil is an inorganic or an organic fine-grained soil (see 14.8). If inorganic, follow the steps given in 14,7. 147 Identification of Inorganic Fine Grained Soils: 14.7.1 Identity the soil as a fean clay, CL, if the soil has medium to high dry strength, no or slow dilstaney, and medium, toughness and plasticity (see Table 7 14.7.2 Identity the soil us x far clay, CH, ifthe soil has bigts to very high dry strength, no dilataney, and high toughness and plasticity (See Table 12), 14.7.3 Identify the soil asa sift, ML, if the soil has no to low dry strength, slow to rapid dilatancy, and low toughness and plesticty, or is nonplastie (See Tuble 12) 14.7.4 Identify the soil as an elastic silt, MH, if the soit has Tow to medium dry strength, no to slow dilataney, and low to ‘mediui toughness and plasticity (see Table 12), Nara 12—These propertios aw similar to those for @ lean slay However, the silt will dry quickly on the hand and have a smoot, silky feel when dy. Some soils thst would classify as MH in accordance with the criteria in Test Method D2487 ate visually dificult to distinguish fora an clays, CL. I may be necessany (© perform Iaboratary testing for proper identification, 148 Identification of Organic Fine-Grained Soils 148.1 Identify the soil as an organic soil, OL!OH, ifthe soil contains enough ozganic particles to influence the soil proper ties, Onganic soils usually have a dack brown to black coler and TABLE 10 Criteria for Describing Toughness rere ‘Oy sight aresure is vequradw ol he weed sar ha ih Int The reo! ans th kp ek Sr ot ection thu prosurs requred lhe toa to ran the Pest mit “he food a8: te ump Rave mdm ses igh Considarabl pressure quired to el he tsad to ner the Pista. Fed an the amp hve vary hgh Erasefly p2a88 - 09a ‘TABLE 11 Criteria for Deso ner ng Plasticity ion ‘A ein, (San) tives canner be called at any water content enpeste oe To teal san burly ales ara hs lump cant Mean ‘i tea sey orl ad at rue vel reques to Teach the paste int Th head eat ba erated afer Teaching tho sae mk Te lp exami en tier than the past ent in Irak consiraie tine roling and kneading to raacn the "The haa ean be eoiaa sve nos et Tim The up ean Bo tad thou ran th laste lt TABLE 12 Identification of Inorganie FI Manual Tests SGrained Solls from Dy Seen iar apap CL Medium thigh None te sow tes ei Lows mnegum None Sow Loo medion CH ign very nigh Nore High may have an organic odor, Often, organic soils will change le, black 9 brown, when exposed to the ais. Some organic soils will lighten in color significantly when ait dried, Organie soils normally will not have a high toughnes plasticity. The thread for the toughness test will be spongy. n sotne eases, though prt and experience, it may be iden the orgie soils as organic sil ot organic OL or OH, Corteations between the ailstaney, dry. aeongth eto idemty organic soils Is of known geologic vgn. flay, toughness ests an aboratory tests eam be ri in cartuin 149 If the soil is estimated to have 15 to 25% sand or fravel, or both, the words “with send” or “with gravel (shichever is more predominant) shall be added to the group name, For example: “lean clay with sand, CL" or “silt with gravel, ML" (see Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b) Ifthe percentage of sand is equal to the percentage of gravel, use “with sand.” 14,10 TF the soil is estimated to bave 30 % or more sand or ‘gravel, or both, the words “sandy” or “gravelly” shall be added, to the group name. Add the word “sanéy” if there appears to be more sand than gravel, Add the word “gravelly” if there appears to be mose grave! thaa sand, For examp'e: “sandy fean clay, CL”, “gravelly fat clay, CH”, or “sandy silt, ML” (see Fig. Ia and Fig, 1b). I the percentage of sand is equal tothe percent of gravel, use “sandy.” posts of silat 15, Procedure for Identifying Coarse-Grained Soils (Contains less than $0 % fine 15.1 The soil is a gravel if the percentage of estimated to be more than the percentage oF sand, 15.2 The soil is a sand if the percentage of g estimated to be equal to or less than the percentage of 15.3 The soil is @ clean gravel or clean sand if the percentage of fines is estimated to be 5 % or less. 15.3.1 Identify the soil ns a well-graded gravel, GW, well graded sand SW, if it has a wide range of particle and substantial amounts of the intermediate particle siz 15.3.2 Identify the soil as a poorly graded gravel, GP, or as 4 poorly graded sand, SP, i€ it consists predorninantly of one size (uniformly graded), or it has a wide range of sizes with some intermediate sizes obviously missing (gap or skip sacle 15.4 The soils either a gravel with fines or a.sand with fines If the percentage of fines is estimated to be 15 9% or mos 154.1 Identify the soil as a clayey gravel, GC, or a clayey sand, SC, if the fines are clayey as determined by the proveduees in Seetion 14, 15.4.2 Identify the soil as a sity gravel, GM, or a sity sand, SM, if the fines are silty as Getermined by the procedures in Section 14, 15.5 If the soil is estimated to contain 10 % fines, give the il a dual identification using two group symbols. 15.5.1 The first group symbol shall correspond! te @ clean ~Biavel or sand (GW, GP, SW, SP) and the second symbol shall ccorzespond to a gravel or sand with fines (GC, GM, $C, SM), 155.2 ‘The group name shall correspond to the first group symbol plus the words “with clay” or “with silt” to indicate the Plasticity characteristics of the le: “well: graded gravel with clay, GW-GC" or “poorly graded sand with silt, SP-SM” (see 5.6 If the specimen is predominantly sand or gravel but contains an estimated 15 8 or more of te other eoarse-grnined conan, the wore “wih peel owls san sal be added to the group namie. For example: “poorly graded gravel with sand, GP" of “elayey sand with gravel, SC" (soe Fig 2) 157 Tithe field sample contains any cobbles or boulders, oF both, the words “with cobbles” or “with cobbles and boulder shall be aude! 10 the group same. For exainple: “silly gravel with cobbles, GM.” ines. For exan 16, Report 16.1 The report sball include th and che items indicated in Table 13, information a8 vo origin, Nore M—bxample: Clayey Gravel with Sand and Cobbies, G- About 50 fine to coarse, subsounded to subangula gravel; aout 30% 1, subrounded std; about 20 fines with medam plasticity, high day seengt, no distaney. medium toughness; weak seacion with Hi; origina! field sample hus about 3% (by volume) subrounded cobbles, mwimnum dimension, 150 mM In-Plage Conlitions-Fium, homogeneovs,d vologie In oval fa Nom: 1S--Other examples of sol desriptans aed identifestion are given in Appendix X1 and Appendix X2. Nors U6 od, the poscentages oF geavel, san a ines sated in teas indicating a range of percentages, a5 fellows: ‘ace-—Paniles are presen but estimated to be less than 5 % Fen5 to 10% ite 15 to 2 Seme—30 10 45 % Most 80 t 100 % bow tation 1 desi 16.2 I, in the soil description, the soil is identified using a classification group symbol and mame as described in ‘Test ‘Method D2487, it must be distinetly and clearly stated in log forms, summary tables, reports, and the like, that the symbol, and name are based on visual-nanual procedures.Aly pease - 09a TABLE 13 Checklist for Ds 17. Precision and Bias 1 Supra ITAL This practice provides: qualitative information only, 4 Pact obi or ur, rata youn) therefore a precision and bias statement is not applicable 4 Peres of pve sor es, fy 2 woah rciesice fan 18 Keywords ‘Sandtne, madiuth, cones Parte analy: anor, angi sibrounded, ndes 18.1 classification; clay; gravel; organi soils; sand; silt; soil 7. avo shape: approota tt alongatd, tal longtad classiGcation; soil description; visual classification {eum gare aze or cnarston 4, Herdnas of erase snd and large paroles 10, Plaster of nes nonpast lo, eacr, t 1, Dey sang: nana fom, mor, Wah ar Na 12. Dilton: rons, so, pis 1 Teupinass om mesure igh 4, Color fn e's eondion 18, Oo” mann oly Fergani or anus INH rare, week tong rine amos 18, Consistency toe ne! sols on): wey S08 afm, Salod nate, fates, seksi, rae hone 20, Camanton: wank. mest, sang 25, Lol nae 22, Gea Msretaion 25, Adatonal ommonts:pesencs of ots ‘ugg cf auger hole or hon Seo, root hale, prosones of ise, yn euganng or excavating, APPENDIXES Wo naudatory Informati 7 XI. EXAMPLES OF VISUAL SOIL DES RIPTIOF X11. ‘The following examples show bow the information —__-X1.1.3 Onganie Soll (O1/OH)—About 100% fines with required in 16.1 eam be reported. The inforiation that is low plasticity, slow dilataney, low dry. sirengsb, and low included in descriptions should be based on individual citcum- roughness; wet, dark beown, organic odor: weak renetion with stances and need HCL XLL1 WellGraded Gravel with Sand (GW)-Abowt 75% X1.1.4 Silty Sand with Organic Fines (SM)—-About 75 % fine to coarse, hard, subangutar gravel; about 25% fine to fine to course, hard, subungular reddish sand; about 25 % coarse, hard, subangular sand; trace of fines; maximum size,75 organic and silty davk brown nonplastic fines’ with no dy sim, brown, dry; a0 reaction with HCL strength and slow dilatancy; wet: maximum size, coarse sand: X1.1.2 Silty Sand with Gravel (SMj—About 69 % predomi yeak reaction with HCL eee coh Re wee patent oe XIAL5 Poorly Graded Gravel with Sit, Sand, Cobbles and fixe, hard, Subrounded gravel, a few gravebsize particles Betlders (GP-GM)—About 75 G fine to eoarse, sed sub- fractured with hammer blow; maximom size, 25 mm; no Tuskted to subangular gravel; about 15 % fine, hard, sub- teaction with HCl (Note-Field sample. sice smaller thag Tunded Co subungular sad; about 10 % sity nompastic fines; recommended), nist, browns no reaetion wit, HCk; original field sample had about $ % (ay volume) hard, subrounded cobbles and a trace of hard, subrounded boulders, with a maximums dimension of 18 in-Place Condilons Firm, staid utd contains Tenses sit'l to 2 in (25 to. 50m) tick, rms, oxown 10 Bray izsplace density 106 th in-place meine 9% in, 450 maAil 02466 - 098 X2._USKRCSTAEGHSTERPIPROCIND NH SOE ER EINALIDESCHIPRERCENTARNSOR GRAVEL CSSYETONE, SHELLS, SNOUT INESSIN SOME AANIB ICT, LIKE XGA SroioMicthatliicTibosrepativedneccentage if anasstexand — The ereenags Of aand_ambinarin see minussiqsd sige, dnedpainedspatering spayydacstinatd bythorenighliastisking — rhamipiaeloarr UieatberestitpatedrleemelmakysDriysbiNeS bao statis tiny snbneyidancdovetesiineande shultbsoms, ja, As dhe sil Ader aig nay or 24 sari -abjewingsdiis mixtnré dhiselfldatkhewearserpartistes yatitathis ie ah lee te peccantaresy af Band and shichglsemleend sitagessively finer particles will be deposited ii pagan encugl hips, ‘vil neeasng me the san size wil al ou of suspension esr es ae n¥8-o Adwerils Rawk as paedonsonstenhroctaslama aac Ne Ci Sn SHAE MUL he SSeS eee ners oe ce wecdoereidhia wrgebidercatzsleat yllieccmnntiglgoaize and untiPitle-w4 ft eit ‘a is plastic s chuacprenies may peuved tite osenipaon of the inerrant? vere eet aie i Sill Rouen monerial. HisdeaiMe mt eleNibarign visingiacerReneROeE one — Ke%belleetaawnisliaacciod; bit, Mbeevoomplestio tore the pasbolsipiaedinia i dak prucsiverteaxehinensianescks, ain — sldisirlomreparison will provide a reasonable indication of esehibinentdaviemtesiokand size particles and the fines, Then, ET9i.8ige BwWenlusells—About 60% uniformly graded mentally: yeas the. os Of sacks to estimate th goivel sizahikenvabhling adam Ph Sermaued sid sorts bell 258 sol LEST LER RUSTE janpnciinds th fig age Ecko pte tapos with Silt and Sand (GP-GN). X2.4.4 Crushed Rock—Processed from gravel and cobbles X24. Examples of how group nXSicA WARENEABER:SOM CLASSUONATTONPAYNIBOFSIod Gravel (GP)"; about 90 % fine, incororated into a descriptive system: for materials that are not ard, angular gravel-size particles; about 10 % coasse, hard, nadisully besumrigwacils becamsSailblask of space, an abbrevi- angular spafesize particles; dry, iw reaction with HCL auishing symbol, See examples ated system tay be useful to indicate the soil clasiiation symbol and name. Examples of such cases would be graphical sree Heel logs, cat8us$8i08SSTER PROCEDURE FOR USING A BORDERLINE SYMBOL FOR SOILS WITH-EWGAERSSIBLE IDENTIVICATIONS. enh boule X52. This abbrevited system is not a substitute fr the full 5,4 The soll elssifcaton symbol is to be enclosed in nadie. lncSthesesiptiyprdnfiamix ibasbritocunstienateal Of papplle — partivindsidh Somdediampkwhabulwwe-2¢ used when a tine ‘xan aemahoeinemaeschpin Wide Baba spb talons hat itl he alban clearly identify the sil a belonging to one category. To boundary between a soll of low compressibility and i sol of silicate tha the soil ay fal nto one of wo possible basic hie SSRIS, Fos example; CLICH, MABE scons a bnsladineekabkyuuuhesadlavthneor ate Es cm ae ae ssoaled in aplitly Bascesmnbic Mabe GHpvopriate Yeni onder of tae borderline symbols should reflect TOG: kiseNtued finey mbdlsofxbe aed when the sicher eH SAMRA Or Rifent soils. For ei: sols age of fines is estimated to be between 45 andl 55% One ia borrow area have been idenlfied as CH. One stmple is symbol should be fora coarse grained soll with fines and the considered to have a borderline symbol of CL und CHL To her for a fine-grained sol, For example: CMIMSragiSTASGy OF ye borderline symbol should be CHICL 1Xi12 Abonteine symbol maybe esd hen be ape OF CHANGES ‘ne of sande ane tioB HSIN O eee 3 iw at Hof selected Aan bls SEPHRILARHINER Stew tlic arte: symbol ps x aos Forni Host : oi Nill. cARBRSVEEFBRTAN|DY fo He His symbol, escep fo racial ingosae to ha aS) a Wah i pple symbol! af GWYSW neers BFE Smit may be used when the so MLICL ley si feud be cir ie, 22, Is, jotta neal fer nena GWIGR, SW/SPs sca are ofthe stance oe erst acied hat atrovent hs ae a X3.14 A bardéelpuocayaninod ity de outed) iinonntoeponsibity, XS. The use OF a bordering symbol should not be used could either be a silt ora clay. For example: CLIML, CHIMH, indiscriminately. Every effort shall he made to fist place the \ Titan jc ton a any ne by respon, ie vines ove fn yas re SCISM. _ynatentes ater epprvedorathaan, Your enmana areal ott tos oN ars osteo cant tnd atau eaters ASTI moors Headwurrs, Your conmers leat car conan aa meet ofthe tmaponai tc crite, you ayes yo Wel a jour comets Pave Wt ocave a eas oe Ima yrs ian the STH Contes on Standort th ons show bao ‘Thi stor i copyigntod by ASTIS famstiona 100 Barr Harr Orv, PO Boe C0, Wast Conshohocken, P& raoH2Wse, Lited Siaes eivusroptins (no oF mute cops) of Os starr may bo obtained by eartatng ASTI a tho 20.0 Bauress er at 610-852-0685 (phone), OTOSIEISSS lan, oF saree asia fo nigh io. ASTAT website fost on 10