ASTM D2487-06
(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 .
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.
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 appr...
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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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
2
1. Scope* grande in the early 1940’s. It became known as the Unified
Soil Classification System when several U.S. Government
1.1 This practice describes a system for classifying mineral
Agencies adopted a modified version of theAirfield System in
and organo-mineral soils for engineering purposes based on
1952.
laboratory determination of particle-size characteristics, liquid
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
limit, and plasticity index and shall be used when precise
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
classification is required.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
NOTE 1—Use of this standard will result in a single classification group
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
symbol and group name except when a soil contains 5 to 12 % fines or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
when the plot of the liquid limit and plasticity index values falls into the
1.7 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
crosshatched area of the plasticity chart. In these two cases, a dual symbol
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
is used, for example, GP-GM, CL-ML. When the laboratory test results
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
indicate that the soil is close to another soil classification group, the
borderline condition can be indicated with two symbols separated by a
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
slash. The first symbol should be the one based on this standard, for
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
example, CL/CH, GM/SM, SC/CL. Borderline symbols are particularly
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
usefulwhentheliquidlimitvalueofclayeysoilsiscloseto50.Thesesoils
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
can have expansive characteristics and the use of a borderline symbol
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
(CL/CH, CH/CL) will alert the user of the assigned classifications of
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
expansive potential.
title of this document means only that the document has been
1.2 The group symbol portion of this system is based on
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
laboratory tests performed on the portion of a soil sample
passing the 3-in. (75-mm) sieve (see SpecificationE11).
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 As a classification system, this standard is limited to
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
naturally occurring soils.
C117 Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No.
NOTE 2—The group names and symbols used in this test method may
200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale,
C 136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
claystone, shells, crushed rock, etc. See Appendix X2.
Aggregates
1.4 This standard is for qualitative application only. C 702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to
Testing Size
NOTE 3—When quantitative information is required for detailed de-
D 420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering De-
signs of important structures, this test method must be supplemented by
sign and Construction Purposes
laboratory tests or other quantitative data to determine performance
characteristics under expected field conditions. D 422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.5 This standard is the ASTM version of the Unified Soil
Fluids
Classification System. The basis for the classification scheme
is the Airfield Classification System developed by A. Casa-
2
Casagrande, A., “Classification and Identification of Soils,” Transactions,
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
ASCE, 1948, p. 901.
3
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Classification of Soils.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved May 1, 2006. Published June 2006. Originally
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
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