Soil Classification Symbols and Types Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the symbol for well graded gravel without fines?

SW
GW (correct)
GP
SP

What is the symbol for poorly graded gravel without fines?

GP (correct)
SW
GW
SP

What is the symbol for well graded sand without fines?

SP
SW (correct)
GP
GW

What is the symbol for poorly graded sand without fines?

SP (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'S' symbolize in soil classification?

sand Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'G' symbolize in soil classification?

gravel Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'M' symbolize in soil classification?

silt Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'C' symbolize in soil classification?

clay Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'O' symbolize in soil classification?

organic silts or clays Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'GM' symbolize in soil classification?

silty gravels Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'GC' symbolize in soil classification?

clayey gravels Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'SM' symbolize in soil classification?

silty sand Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter 'SC' symbolize in soil classification?

clayey sand Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ML' refer to in soil classification?

silt with low plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'CL' refer to in soil classification?

clays with low to medium plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'MH' refer to in soil classification?

plastic silts Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'CH' refer to in soil classification?

clays with high plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as a liquid limit below 50?

low plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as a liquid limit above 50?

high plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What does 'OL' symbolize in soil classification?

organic silt-clays of low plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What does 'OH' symbolize in soil classification?

organic clays of high plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What does 'PT' symbolize in soil classification?

peat and highly organic soil Signup and view all the answers

What sieve defines fines?

200 Signup and view all the answers

Describe the grain size curve for a well graded soil.

curve will be wide Signup and view all the answers

Describe the grain size curve for a uniform soil.

curve will be narrow Signup and view all the answers

Describe the grain size curve where a certain grain size is absent.

curve will have two humps and a flat area Signup and view all the answers

How do you calculate the coefficient of uniformity?

D60/D10 Signup and view all the answers

How do you calculate the curvature coefficient?

D30 squared/ D10×D60 Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'dilatancy' refer to?

reaction to shaking Signup and view all the answers

What does 'dry strength' refer to?

crushing characteristics- crush dried sampled with fingers Signup and view all the answers

What does 'toughness' refer to in soil classification?

consistency near the plastic limit- roll into worms Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Unified Soil Classification System Symbols

GW: Well graded gravel without fines
GP: Poorly graded gravel without fines
SW: Well graded sand without fines
SP: Poorly graded sand without fines
S: Represents sand
G: Represents gravel
M: Represents silt
C: Represents clay
O: Represents organic silts or clays

Types of Mixed Soils

GM: Silty-gravels
GC: Clayey-gravels
SM: Silty sand
SC: Clayey sand

Soil Plasticity Classifications

ML: Silt with low plasticity
CL: Clays with low to medium plasticity
MH: Plastic silts
CH: Clays with high plasticity
OL: Organic silt-clays of low plasticity
OH: Organic clays of high plasticity
PT: Peat and highly organic soil

Sieve Analysis

200 sieve defines fines in soil particle size distribution.

Grain Size Distribution Curves

Well graded soil curve: Wide grain size distribution.
Uniform soil curve: Narrow grain size distribution.
Curves with two humps and a flat area indicate an absent grain size.

Coefficients Calculation

Coefficient of uniformity is calculated as D60/D10.
Curvature coefficient is determined by the formula D30 squared / (D10 × D60).

Soil Behavior Characteristics

Dilatancy: Describes soil's reaction to shaking.
Dry strength: Assessed by crushing dried samples with fingers.
Toughness: Evaluated by consistency near the plastic limit, often tested by rolling into worms.

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