Chapter 3

Index Properties
and Soil Classification

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

☞ Introduction ☞ Atterberg limits (or consistency limits)

☞ Index properties of soils ☞ Soil classification

IntroDuction Terminal velocity,

Soil properties are mainly divided into properties and engi-
g 2 ( ρs − ρw )
neering properties. The Index properties are mainly used V= d
in the classification and identification of soils. For coarse- 18 µ
grained soil, the main indexed properties are particle size g 2 (G − 1)
V= d
distribution and relative density. For fine-grained soil, the 18 υ
main indexed properties are atterberg limits. These index
properties also give the rough assessment of engineer- Where
ing properties. In the present chapter, the various indexed d = Diameter of the particle.
properties are discussed. The classification of soil based on G = Specific gravity of the material.
indexed properties is also discussed here. g = Acceleration due to gravity.
µ = Dynamic viscosity of water.
υ = Kinematic viscosity of water = µ / ρ w .
InDex ProPerties oF SoiLs Approximate version of Stokes’ law.
Particle Size Analysis If V is expressed in mm/s and ‘d’ in mm:
• Also known as mechanical analysis, it is a method of sep- V = 902 d 2
aration of soils into different fractions based on particle
size. • A dispersion solution is added to have proper dispersion
• Mechanical analysis is done in two stages: of soil in preparation of suspension for sedimentation
(a) Sieve analysis analysis.
(b) Sedimentation analysis • Dispersion solution is obtained after adding 33 g of
• Sieve analysis is used for coarse-grained soils (size > sodium hexa metaphosphate and 75 g of sodium carbon-
75µ). ate in distilled water to make one litre of solution.
• Sedimentation analysis or wet analysis is used for fine- • If the soil contains organic matter and calcium com-
grained soils (size < 75µ). pounds, it should be pretreated before adding the dispers-
• Sedimentation analysis is based on Stokes’ law, which ing agent.
gives the terminal velocity of a sphere settling in a fluid • Pipette method and hydrometer method are used for the
of infinite extent. particle size analysis of fine grained soil.

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 461 5/20/2017 4:23:12 PM

 3.462 | Part III ■ Unit 7 ■ Geotechnical Engineering

•• Pipette method is a standard laboratory method. It is a •• Soil with a value of Cu less than 2 are uniform soils.
highly accurate method. •• For well-graded gravel, Cu > 4 and for well-graded sand,
•• For quick particle size analysis, hydrometer method is Cu > 6.
used.
•• Hydrometer reading is taken corresponding to the upper Coefficient of Curvature (Cc)
level of meniscus. It increased in downward direction •• It is also known as coefficient of gradation.
towards the centre of the bulb. •• Cc describes the general shape of particle size distribution
The hydrometer readings are corrected as follows: curve.
2
1. Meniscus correction: As the marking on stem D30
Cc =
increases downward, meniscus correction is positive, D60 × D10
constant for a hydrometer.
D30: Particle size corresponding to 30% finer.
2. Temperature correction: The hydrometer is
•• For well-graded soils, Cc lies between 1 and 3.
generally calibrated at 27°C. If temperature is more
than 27°C, the suspension is lighter and actual
reading will be less than the corrected reading. The Relative Density/Density Index (ID)
temperature correction is positive. If temperature is •• Most important index property of cohesion less soil:
less than 27°C, the temperature correction is negative.
emax − e
3. Dispersion agent correction: It is always negative. ID = × 100
emax − emin

Particle Size Distribution Curve Where

•• It is also known as gradation curve.   emax = Maximum void ratio of the soil in the loosest
•• It represents the distribution of particles of different sizes condition.
in the soil mass.   emin = Minimum void ratio of the soil in the densest
condition.
Uniformly graded (A)
  e = Void ratio in the natural state.
•• It indicates denseness of soil.
Well graded (C)
Very Medium Very
% Finer Denseness Loose Loose Dense Dense Dense
Dr(%) < 15 15 to 35 35 to 65 65 to 85 85 to 100
Gap
graded (B)

Particle size (log scale)

SOLVED EXAMPLES

•• A curve with a hump, such as curve (B), represents the soil Example 1
in which some of intermediate size particles are missing. The void ratio at the densest, loosest and the natural state of
Such soils are called ‘gap graded’ or ‘skip graded’. a sand deposit are 0.2, 0.6 and 0.4. respectively. The relative
•• A flat S-curve, such as C, represents a soil that contains density of the deposit is
different sized particles in good proportion. Such a soil is (A) 100% (B) 75%
called ‘graded soil’. (C) 50% (D) 25%
•• In curve A, most of the particles are of similar size. Such
soils are known as uniformly graded soils.  [GATE, 2002]
Solution
Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu) Given:
D60 = =
emin 0.2; emax 0.6, e = 0.4
Cu =
D10
emax − e
Relative density (I D ) = × 100
Where emax − emin
  D60 = Particle size such that 60% of the soil is finer than 0.6 − 0.4
this size. = × 1000
0.6 − 0.2
  D10 = Particle size such that 10% of the soil is finer than
I D = 50%
this size.
•• D10 is also known as effective size. Hence, the correct answer is option (c).

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 462 5/20/2017 4:23:12 PM

 Chapter 3 ■ Index Propertiesand Soil Classification | 3.463

Atterberg Limits
(or Consistency Limits) wL

Plasticity of Soils

Water content
•• Plasticity of soil is defined as its ability to undergo defor-
mation without cracking or fracturing.
•• Plasticity of soil is due to adsorbed water.
•• Plasticity is not observed when it is mixed with non-
polarizing liquid, such as kerosene or paraffin oil and, 25
also if the soil contains non-clay minerals, such as quartz, Number of blows (log)
feldspar, mica, and calcite.
Flow curve
Consistency Limits •• Slope of flow curve is known as flow index.
•• As per Atterberg, a fine-grained soil can exist in four
states, namely, liquid, plastic, semi-solid or solid state. w2 − w1
If =
•• The water contents at which soil changes from one state N 
log10  1 
to another are known as consistency limits or Atterberg  N2 
limits.
•• It is important to note that the soils with same consistency •• The shear strength of soil at liquid limit is about 2.7
limits behave in a similar manner. kN/m2.

Liquid Limit Plastic Limit

•• The water content at which soils changes from liquid to •• Plastic limit is the water content at which soil just fails to
plastic state is known as liquid limit. behave plastically.
•• At liquid limit, soil ceases to be liquid. •• The water content at which soil can be rolled into a thread
of 3 mm in diameter without crumbling is known as plas-
tic limit.
•• Shear strength at plastic limit is about 100 times that at
the liquid limit.
Liquid
state Shrinkage Limit
Plastic •• Shrinkage limit is defined as the maximum water content
state at which a reduction of water content does not cause a
Volume

Semi decrease in volume of soil.

Solid solid •• Shrinkage limit is the least water content at which soil is
state state still saturated.
wS wP wL
V1 − V2
Water content
V1 w1 V2 w2

•• The liquid limit is determined in the laboratory by ws

Casagrande’s apparatus.
Stage (I) Stage(II)
•• Drop of cup on hard base is 1 cm.
•• About 120 gm of soil passing through 425µ sieve is
taken. V3 = V2 w3 = wd
Air
•• The moisture content corresponding to 25 blows from the
flow curve is taken as the liquid limit of the soil. ws
•• Flow curve is a graph plotted between water content on
Y-axis and number of blows (log scale) on X-axis. Stage(III)

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 463 5/20/2017 4:23:13 PM

 3.464 | Part III ■ Unit 7 ■ Geotechnical Engineering

Determination of Shrinkage Limit  V −V 

VS =  1 d  × 100
(V1 − V2 )γ w  Vd 
1. ws = w1 − × 100
wd VS = ( SR)( w1 − ws )
( w1 − wd )
w1 = × 100 4. Linear shrinkage: It is defined as the change in
wd length divided by the initial length when the water
(V2 − Vs )γ w content is reduced to shrinkage limit.
2. ws = × 100
wd  Initial length − Final length 
LS =   ×100
γ 1  Initial length 
3. ws =  w −  × 100
γ
 d G 
Important Indexes
e
4. ws = 1. Plasticity index: It is equal to the difference between
G the liquid limit and the plastic limit.
Where
I P = w1 − w p
w1 = Weight of soil in stage (1)
wd = Weight of solids or weight of dry soil •• When wP is greater than wl, the plasticity index is
V1 = Volume of soil in stage (1) responded as zero, and not negative.
V2 = Volume of soil in stage (2) •• Burmister classified plastic properties of soils,
Vs = Volume of solids according to their plasticity index, are as follows.
e = Void ratio at its minimum (dry) condition
Plasticity Index Plasticity
0 Non–plastic
Shrinkage Parameters
1–5 Slight
1. Shrinkage index (Is): It is the difference between the 5–10 Low
plastic limit and the shrinkage limit (ws).
10–20 Medium
I s = w P − ws 20–40 High
> 40 Very high
2. Shrinkage ratio: It is defined as the ratio of a given
volume change expressed as a percentage of dry volume 2. Consistency index or relative consistency: It is
to the corresponding change in the water content. defined as the ratio of the difference between liquid
limit and the natural water content to the plasticity
V1 − V2  index of soil.
 V × 100 
SR =  d  wL − w
( w1 − w2 ) IC =
IP
When volume V2 is at shrinkage limit,
If IC = 0, w = LL
V1 − Vd  IC = 1, w = PL
 V × 100  IC > 1, the soil is in semi-solid state and stiff.
SR =  d 
IC < 0, the natural water content is greater than LL
( w1 − w3 )
and the soil behaves like a liquid.
•• Shrinkage ratio is equal to the mass-specific grav- Liquidity Index
ity of the soil in dry state (Gm).
•• It is also known as water-plasticity ratio.
•• It is defined as the ratio of the difference between the
γd
SR = (Gm )dry natural water content and the plastic limit to the plasticity
γw index.

3. Volumetric shrinkage: It is defined as the change w − wp

IL =
in volume expressed as a percentage of dry volume IP
when the water content is reduced from a given value
to the shrinkage limit. •• IC + IL = 1

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 464 5/20/2017 4:23:14 PM

 Chapter 3 ■ Index Propertiesand Soil Classification | 3.465

Toughness index (It): Toughness index of a soil is defined Indian Standard Classification System
as the ratio of the plasticity index (IP) to the flow index (ISC System)
(If ).
• It is similar to the unified soil classification system.
IP • Soils are divided into three categories. These are:
It = 1. Coarse-grained soil
If
2. Fine-grained soil
3. High organic soil (e.g., peat, Pt)
• It is a measure of shearing strength of soil at the plastic
limit. Coarse-grained soil: A soil is classified as coarse-grained
Activity (A): Activity (A) of a soil is the ratio of the plas- soil when more than 50% of the total material, by weight, is
ticity index and the percentage of clay fraction (−2µ Size). retained on 75µ Sieve.
Fine-grained soil: A soil is classified as fine-grained soil.
IP When more than 50% of the total material passes 75µ IS
A=
F sieve.
• It is a measure of water holding capacity of a soil. Coarse grained soils are subdivided into gravel and sand.
• During swelling and shrinkage, the changes in the volume
Gravel (G): The soil is termed as gravel when more than
of a soil depend upon activity.
50% of coarse fraction (more than 75µ) is retained on 4.75
mm IS sieve.
Activity Soil Type
Sand (S): If more than 50% of coarse fraction is smaller
A < 0.75 Inactive
than 4.75 mm IS sieve, then it is termed as sand. Gravel and
A: 0.75–1.25 Normal sands are further subdivided as:
A > 1.25 Active 1. Well-graded gravel (GW): Clean gravels, i.e., fines
< 5% and Cu > 4 and Cc between 1 and 3.
• The soil containing the mineral kaolinite are least active 2. Poorly-graded Gravels (GP): Clean gravels, i.e.,
(A < 1), and montomorillonite have very high activity fines < 5% and not meeting all gradation requirement
(A > 4). as above.
• For a soil of specific origin, the activity is constant.
3. Silty gravels (GM): Gravels with appreciable amount
of fines, i.e., fines > 12% and Atterberg limits below
SoiL CLassiFication A-line or IP less than 4.
Indian Standard Particle Size 4. Clayey gravels (GC): Gravels with appreciable
amount of fines, i.e., fines more than 12% and
Classification (IS: 1498–1970) Atterberg limits above A-line and IP greater than 7.
• Soils are designated according to grain size or particle
(a) Well-graded sand (SW): Clean sands, i.e.,
size.
fines < 5% and Cu > 6, and Cc between 1 and 3.
• Terms, such as ‘gravel’, ‘sand’, ‘silt’ and ‘clay’ are used
to indicate certain range of grain sizes. (b) Poorly-graded sands (SP): Clean sands,
i.e., fines < 5% and not meeting all gradation
requirement as stated above.
0.425

0.005
0.675

0.002

(c) Silty sands (SM): When fines more than 12%

4.75
mm
300

20
80

and atterberg limits below A-line or IP less

Coarse Fine Coarse Medium Fine than 4.
Boulder

Cobble

(d) Clayey sands (SC): When fines > 12% and

Grave Sand Silt Clay
atterberg limits above A-line with IP > 7.

NOTES
1. When fines lies between 5–12% border line, cases
Unified Soil Classification System requiring dual symbols, such as GW-GM, GP-GM,
• Developed by A. Casagrande and adopted by US Army SW-SM, etc. are used.
Corps of Engineers as airfield classification. 2. When IP lies between 4 and 7, border line cases requir-
Criteria: ing double symbols, such as SM-SC, etc. are used.
1. Grain size distribution
2. Plasticity characteristics • Fine-grained soils, depending upon the values of the liq-
3. Compressibility uid limit, are further divided into three sub-divisions:

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 465 5/20/2017 4:23:14 PM

 3.466 | Part III ■ Unit 7 ■ Geotechnical Engineering

(i) Low compressibility (L): These soils have a liquid Field Identification of
limit less than 35%. the Fine-Grained Soils
(ii) Medium compressibility (M): These soils have a liquid
limit greater than 35% and less than 50. 1. Dialatancy (reaction to shaking) test
(iii) High compressibility: These soils have a liquid 2. Dispersion test
limit greater than 50%. Fine-grained soils are fur- 3. Toughness test
ther subdivided into three groups as follows: 4. Dry strength test

Inorganic silts of low compressibility (ML) Direction for questions 2 and 3:

Inorganic silts (M) Inorganic silts of intermediate compressibility (MI) Laboratory sieve analysis was carried out on a soil sample
using a complete set of standard IS sieves. Out of 500 g of
Inorganic silts of high compressibility (MH)
soil used in the test, 200 g was retained on IS 600m sieve,
250 g was retained on IS 500m sieve, and the remaining 50 g
Inorganic clays of low compressibility (CL)
and retained on IS 425m sieve. [GATE, 2006]
Inorganic clays (C) Inorganic clays of intermediate compressibility (CI)
Example 2
Inorganic clays of high compressibility (CH)
The coefficient of uniformity of the soil is:
(A) 0.9 (B) 1.0
Organic silts and clays of low compressibility (OL)
(C) 1.1 (D) 1.2
Organic silts and Clays (O) Organic silts and clays of intermediate compressibility (OI)
Solution
Organic silts and clays of high compressibility (OH)
The correct answer is option (D).
Based on plasticity chart developed by casagrande, these Example 3
fine-grained soils are classified in the laboratory.
The classification of the soil is
Equation of A-line, I P = 0.73(WL − 20)
(A) SP (B) SW
(C) GP (D) GW
Solution
(CH)
The correct answer is option (A).
A line IP = 0.73(WL − 20)
Plasticity index (IP)%

(CI)
Total weight of soil (w) = 500 gm
(CL)
MH Cumulative
or Sieve Weight Weight Weight Finer
OH Size Retained Retained (%) Retained (%) (%)
MI
7 or
CL - ML 200
OI 600 ∝ 200 gm × 100 = 40 40 60
4 ML or 500
OL
0 10 20 30 35 40 50 60 250
500 ∝ 250 gm × 100 = 50 90 10
500
Liquid limit (WL)%
Plasticity chart 425 ∝ 50 gm 50
× 100 = 10 100 0
500
•• Inorganic clays are plotted above A-line.
•• Inorganic silts and organic silts and clays are plotted
below A-line. D60
CU =
D10
NOTES D60 = Diameter corresponding to 60% finer = 600m
1. Atterberg limits plotting above A-line with IP between D10 = Diameter corresponding to 10% finer = 500m
4–7 are classified as ML-CL. D60 600
2. Organic and Inorganic soils plotted in the same zone, =
Cu =
D10 500
in the plasticity chart, are distinguished by their odour
and colour or liquid limit even after oven drying. CU = 1.2
3. In case of organic soils, liquid limit after oven drying Total weight of soil is retained on 75m sieve ⇒ Coarse-
decreases by 25% when compared to the liquid limit grained soil and, also it is passing through 4.75 mm ⇒ sand
before oven drying. Since, CU >/ 6 ⇒ poorly graded
4. Highly organic soils can be readily identified by their ∴ The given soil can be classified as poorly-graded
colour, odour, spongy feel and fibrous texture. sand (SP).

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 466 5/20/2017 4:23:15 PM

 Chapter 3 ■ Index Propertiesand Soil Classification | 3.467

Exercises

1. Consistency index for a clayey soil is 9. A specimen of clayey silt contains 70% silt size
[LL = Liquid limit, PI = Plasticity index, w = natural particles. Its liquid limit = 40 and plastic limit = 20. In
moisture content] liquid limit test, at moisture content of 30%, required
number of blows was 50. Its plasticity index, activity
LL − w w − PL and consistency index will respectively be
(A) (B)
PI PI (A) 20, 0.67 and 0.5
(C) LL − PL (D) 0.5W (B) 20, 1.5 and 2.0
2. If soil is dried beyond its shrinkage limit, it will show (C) 30, 1.5 and 0.72
(A) large volume change. (D) 20, 0.286 and 0.38
(B) moderate volume change. 10. Consider the following statements:
(C) low volume change. I. Activity is a property typical of clay soils.
(D) no volume change. II. An activity value of 7 in a clay soil is indicative of
3. The toughness index of clayey soils is given by the presence of montmorillonite mineral.
(A) plasticity index/flow index III. An activity value of 7 in a clay soil is indicative of
(B) liquid limit/plastic limit the presence of illite mineral.
(C) liquidity index/plastic limit Which of these statements are correct?
(D) plastic limit/liquidity index (A) I, II and III (B) I and II only
4. The following data were obtained from a liquid limit (C) 1 and III only (D) II and III only
test conducted on a soil sample: 11. A saturated specimen of clay was immersed in mercury
and displaced volume was 21.8 cc. The weight of the
Number of Blows 17 22 25 28 34 sample was 32.2 gm. After oven drying for 48 hours,
Water Content (%) 63.8 63.1 61.9 60.6 60.5 weight reduced to 20.2 gm while volume came down to
11.6 cc. The shrinkage limit of the soil is
The liquid limit of the soil is: (A) 7.9% (B) 8.0%
(A) 63.1% (B) 62.8% (C) 8.9% (D) 9.8%
(C) 61.9% (D) 60.6%
12. Consider the following statements:
5. The void ratios at the densest, loosest and the natural A well-graded sand should have
states of a sand deposit are 0.2, 0.6 and 0.4 respectively. I. Uniformity coefficient greater than 6
The relative density of the deposit is II. Coefficient of curvature between 1 and 3
(A) 100% (B) 75% III. Effective size greater than 1 mm
(C) 50% (D) 25%
Which of these statements are correct?
6. The liquid limit and plastic limit of sample are 65% and (A) I, II and III (B) I and II
29% respectively. The percentage of the soil fraction (C) I and III (D) II and III
with grain size finer than 0.002 mm is 24. The activity
13. Given that coefficient of curvature = 1.4,
ratio of the soil sample is
(A) 0.50 (B) 1.00 D30 = 3 mm, D10 = 0.6 mm.
(C) 1.50 (D) 2.00 Based on this information of particle size distribution
7. The moisture content of a clayey soil is gradually for use as sub grade, this soil will be taken to be
decreased from a large value. What will be the correct (A) uniformly-graded sand.
sequence of the occurrence of the following limits? (B) well-graded sand.
I. Shrinkage limit (C) very fine sand.
II. Plastic limit (D) poorly-graded sand.
III. Liquid limit 14. Match List I (Symbol) with List II (Soil) and select the
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
(A) I, II, III (B) I, III, II
List I List II
(C) III, II, I (D) III, I, II
a. ML 1. Silty sand
8. A clay sample has a void ratio 0.54 in dry state. The
b. SM 2. Inorganic silt with large compressibility
specific gravity of soil solids is 2.7. What is the shrink-
age limit of the soil? c. Pt 3. Inorganic silt with small compressibility
(A) 8.5% (B) 10.0% d. MH 4. Soil with high organic content with high
compressibility
(C) 17.0% (D) 20.0%

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 467 5/20/2017 4:23:15 PM

 3.468 | Part III ■ Unit 7 ■ Geotechnical Engineering

Codes: Group I Group II

a b c d a b c d 1. Coefficient of curvature a. 1.81
(A) 3 2 4 1 (B) 4 1 3 2 2. Coefficient of uniformity b. 2.76
(C) 3 1 4 2 (D) 4 2 3 1
3. Permeability c. 11.2
15. Data from a sieve analysis conducted on a given sample (A) 1 – a, 2 – b, 3 – c
of soil showed that 67% of the particles passed through (B) 1 – c, 2 – b, 3 – a
75 micron IS sieve. The liquid limit and plastic limit of (C) 1 – a, 2 – c, 3 – b
the finer fraction was found to be 45 and 33 per cent (D) 1 – b, 2 – c, 3 – a
respectively. The group symbol of the given soil as per
19. The relationship between water content (w%) and num-
IS:1498–1970 is
ber of blows (N) in soils, as obtained from Casgrande’s
(A) SC (B) MI
liquid limit device, is given by w = 15 – log10 N. The
(C) CH (D) MH
liquid limit of soil is
16. A soil mass contains 40% gravel, 50% sand and 10% (A) 15.6% (B) 14.6%
silt. This soil can be classified as (C) 13.6% (D) 16.6%
(A) silty sandy gravel having coefficient of uniformity 20. At shrinkage limit, the degree of saturation is ______.
less than 60. (A) 100% (B) 75%
(B) silty gravelly sand having coefficient of uniformity (C) 50% (D) 0%
equal to 10.
(C) gravelly silty sand having coefficient of uniformity 21. Sieve analysis on a dry soil sample of mass 1000 g
greater than 60. showed that 980 g and 270 g of soil pass through 4.75
(D) gravelly silty sand and its coefficient of uniformity mm and 75 μ sieve, respectively. The liquid limit and
cannot be determined. plastic limits of the soil fraction passing through 425 μ
sieves are 55% and 25% respectively. The soil may be
17. The symbol ‘SM’ indicates classified as ______.
(A) sandy silt. (A) GC (B) SM
(B) medium silt. (C) GM (D) SC
(C) silty sand.
22. A clay sample has a void ratio 0.35 in dry state. The
(D) medium sand.
specific gravity of soil solids is 2.68. What is the
18. For a particular soil sample, if D10, D30 and D60 is given shrinkage limit of the soil?
as 425μ, 2.36 mm and 4.75 mm respectively. Then (A) 10.5% (B) 13.06%
match the following. (C) 12.2% (D) 15%

Previous Years’ Questions

1. Sieve analysis on a dry soil sample of mass 1000 g 4. The laboratory test results of a soil sample are given
showed that 980 g and 270 g of soil pass through 4.75 below:
mm and 0.075 mm sieve, respectively. The liquid limit Percentage finer than 4.75 mm = 60
and plastic limits of the soil fraction passing through Percentage finer than 0.075 mm = 30
425µ sieves are 40% and 18% respectively. The soil Liquid limit = 35%
may be classified as [GATE, 2007] Plastic limit = 27%
(A) SC (B) MI The soil classification is [GATE, 2009]
(C) CI (D) SM (A) GM (B) SM
(C) GC (D) ML – MI
2. The Liquid Limit (LL), Plastic Limit (PL) and
Shrinkage Limit (SL) of a cohesive soil satisfy the 5. A fine grained soil has liquid limit of 60 and plas-
relation [GATE, 2008] tic limit of 20. As per the plasticity chart, according
(A) LL > PL < SL to IS classification, the soil is represented by letter
symbols [GATE, 2010]
(B) LL > PL > SL
(A) CL (B) CI
(C) LL < PL < SL
(C) CH (D) CL – ML
(D) LL < PL > SL
6. As per the Indian Standard soil classification system,
3. Group symbols assigned to silty sand and clayey sand a sample of silty clay with liquid limit of 40% and
are respectively  [GATE, 2008] plastics index of 28% is classified as  [GATE, 2012]
(A) SS and CS (B) SM and CS (A) CH (B) CI
(C) SM and SC (D) MS and CS (C) CL (D) CL – ML

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 468 5/20/2017 4:23:15 PM

 Chapter 3 ■ Index Propertiesand Soil Classification | 3.469

7. A given cohesion less soil has emax = 0.85 and emin 9. A fine-grained soil has 60% (by weight) silt content.
= 0.50. In the field, the soil is compacted to a mass The soil behaves as semi-solid when water content
density of 1800 kg/m3 at a water content of 8%. Take is between 15% and 28%. The soil behaves fluid-
the mass density of water as 1000 kg/m3 and Gs as like when the water content is more than 40%. The
2.7. The relative density (in %) of the soil is ‘Activity’ of the soil is [GATE, 2015]
 [GATE, 2014] (A) 3.33 (B) 0.42
(A) 56.43 (B) 60.25 (C) 0.30 (D) 0.20
(C) 62.87 (D) 65.7 10. A fine grained soil is found to be plastic in the water
8. As per Indian Standard soil classification system content range of 26–48%. As per Indian Standard
(IS:1498–1970) an expression for A-line is Classification System, the soil is classified as
 [GATE, 2014]  [GATE, 2016]
(A) IP = 0.73(wL − 20) (B) IP = 0.70(wL – 20) (A) CL (B) CH
(C) IP = 0.73(wL – 10) (D) IP = 0.70(wL – 10) (C) CL-ML (D) CI

Answer Keys

Exercises
1. A 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. C 6. C 7. C 8. D 9. A 10. B
11. C 12. B 13. B 14. C 15. B 16. C 17. C 18. D 19. C 20. A
21. D 22. B

Previous Years’ Questions

1. A 2. B 3. C 4. A 5. C 6. B 7. D 8. A 9. C 10. D

Part III_Unit 7_Chapter 03.indd 469 5/31/2017 11:50:50 AM