ASTM D2487-06e1
(Classification)Standard Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
Standard Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This standard classifies soils from any geographic location into categories representing the results of prescribed laboratory tests to determine the particle-size characteristics, the liquid limit, and the plasticity index.
The assigning of a group name and symbol(s) along with the descriptive information required in Practice D 2488 can be used to describe a soil to aid in the evaluation of its significant properties for engineering use.
The various groupings of this classification system have been devised to correlate in a general way with the engineering behavior of soils. This standard provides a useful first step in any field or laboratory investigation for geotechnical engineering purposes.
This standard may also be used as an aid in training personnel in the use of Practice D 2488.
This standard may be used in combination with Practice D 4083 when working with frozen soils.
Note 5—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias contained in this standard: The precision of this test method is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on several factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means for evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a system for classifying mineral and organo-mineral soils for engineering purposes based on laboratory determination of particle-size characteristics, liquid limit, and plasticity index and shall be used when precise classification is required.
Note 1—Use of this standard will result in a single classification group symbol and group name except when a soil contains 5 to 12 % fines or when the plot of the liquid limit and plasticity index values falls into the crosshatched area of the plasticity chart. In these two cases, a dual symbol is used, for example, GP-GM, CL-ML. When the laboratory test results indicate that the soil is close to another soil classification group, the borderline condition can be indicated with two symbols separated by a slash. The first symbol should be the one based on this standard, for example, CL/CH, GM/SM, SC/CL. Borderline symbols are particularly useful when the liquid limit value of clayey soils is close to 50. These soils can have expansive characteristics and the use of a borderline symbol (CL/CH, CH/CL) will alert the user of the assigned classifications of expansive potential.
1.2 The group symbol portion of this system is based on laboratory tests performed on the portion of a soil sample passing the 3-in. (75-mm) sieve (see Specification E 11).
1.3 As a classification system, this standard is limited to naturally occurring soils.
Note 2—The group names and symbols used in this test method may be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale, claystone, shells, crushed rock, etc. See Appendix X2.
1.4 This standard is for qualitative application only.
Note 3—When quantitative information is required for detailed designs of important structures, this test method must be supplemented by laboratory tests or other quantitative data to determine performance characteristics under expected field conditions.
1.5 This standard is the ASTM version of the Unified Soil Classification System. The basis for the classification scheme is the Airfield Classification System developed by A. Casagrande in the early 1940's. It became known as the Unified Soil Classification System when several U.S. Government Agencies adopted a modified version of the Airfield System in 1952.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of ...
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´1
Designation: D2487 – 06
Standard Practice for
Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified
1
Soil Classification System)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2487; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1
´ NOTE—Table 1 was editorially reformatted in August 2008.
1. Scope* 1.5 This standard is the ASTM version of the Unified Soil
Classification System. The basis for the classification scheme
1.1 This practice describes a system for classifying mineral
is the Airfield Classification System developed by A. Casa-
and organo-mineral soils for engineering purposes based on
2
grande in the early 1940’s. It became known as the Unified
laboratory determination of particle-size characteristics, liquid
Soil Classification System when several U.S. Government
limit, and plasticity index and shall be used when precise
Agencies adopted a modified version of theAirfield System in
classification is required.
1952.
NOTE 1—Use of this standard will result in a single classification group
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
symbol and group name except when a soil contains 5 to 12 % fines or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
when the plot of the liquid limit and plasticity index values falls into the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
crosshatched area of the plasticity chart. In these two cases, a dual symbol
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
is used, for example, GP-GM, CL-ML. When the laboratory test results
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
indicate that the soil is close to another soil classification group, the
borderline condition can be indicated with two symbols separated by a
1.7 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
slash. The first symbol should be the one based on this standard, for
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
example, CL/CH, GM/SM, SC/CL. Borderline symbols are particularly
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
usefulwhentheliquidlimitvalueofclayeysoilsiscloseto50.Thesesoils
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
can have expansive characteristics and the use of a borderline symbol
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
(CL/CH, CH/CL) will alert the user of the assigned classifications of
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
expansive potential.
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
1.2 The group symbol portion of this system is based on
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
laboratory tests performed on the portion of a soil sample
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
passing the 3-in. (75-mm) sieve (see Specification E11).
title of this document means only that the document has been
1.3 As a classification system, this standard is limited to
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
naturally occurring soils.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 2—The group names and symbols used in this test method may
3
be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
claystone, shells, crushed rock, etc. See Appendix X2.
C117 TestMethodforMaterialsFinerthan75-µm(No.200)
1.4 This standard is for qualitative application only. Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
NOTE 3—When quantitative information is required for detailed de-
Aggregates
signs of important structures, this test method must be supplemented by
C702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Test-
laboratory tests or other quantitative data to determine performance
characteristics under expected field conditions. ing Size
1
2
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Casagrande, A., “Classification and Identification of Soils,” Transactions,
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and
ASCE, 1948, p. 901.
3
Classification of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2006. Published June 2006. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D2487 – 00. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2487-06E01. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section ap
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation:D 2487–00 Designation: D 2487 – 06
Standard Practice for
Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified
1
Soil Classification System)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2487; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1
´ NOTE—Table 1 was editorially reformatted in August 2008.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice describes a system for classifying mineral and organo-mineral soils for engineering purposes based on
laboratory determination of particle-size characteristics, liquid limit, and plasticity index and shall be used when precise
classification is required.
NOTE 1—Use of this standard will result in a single classification group symbol and group name except when a soil contains 5 to 12 % fines or when
the plot of the liquid limit and plasticity index values falls into the crosshatched area of the plasticity chart. In these two cases, a dual symbol is used,
for example, GP-GM, CL-ML. When the laboratory test results indicate that the soil is close to another soil classification group, the borderline condition
can be indicated with two symbols separated by a slash.The first symbol should be the one based on this standard, for example, CL/CH, GM/SM, SC/CL.
Borderline symbols are particularly useful when the liquid limit value of clayey soils is close to 50. These soils can have expansive characteristics and
the use of a borderline symbol (CL/CH, CH/CL) will alert the user of the assigned classifications of expansive potential.
1.2 The group symbol portion of this system is based on laboratory tests performed on the portion of a soil sample passing the
3-in. (75-mm) sieve (see Specification E 11).
1.3 As a classification system, this standard is limited to naturally occurring soils.
NOTE 2—The group names and symbols used in this test method may be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale, claystone,
shells, crushed rock, etc. See Appendix X2.
1.4 This standard is for qualitative application only.
NOTE 3—When quantitative information is required for detailed designs of important structures, this test method must be supplemented by laboratory
tests or other quantitative data to determine performance characteristics under expected field conditions.
1.5 This standard is theASTM version of the Unified Soil Classification System. The basis for the classification scheme is the
2
AirfieldClassificationSystemdevelopedbyA.Casagrandeintheearly1940’s. ItbecameknownastheUnifiedSoilClassification
System when several U.S. Government Agencies adopted a modified version of the Airfield System in 1952.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.7 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be
applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s
many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through
the ASTM consensus process.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 117 Test Method for Materials Finer Than 75-µmthan 75-m (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and
Classification of Soils.
Current edition approved March 10, 2000.May 1, 2006. Published May 2000.June 2006. Originally published as D2487–66T.approved in 1966. Last previous edition
D2487–98.approved in 2000 as D 2487 – 00.
2
Casagrande, A., “Classification and Identification of Soils,” Transactions, ASCE, 1948, p. 901.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
*A Summary of Changes
...
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