ASTM D 2487 : 2017
Superseded
A superseded Standard is one, which is fully replaced by another Standard, which is a new edition of the same Standard.
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Standard Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
Hardcopy , PDF
25-08-2020
English
15-12-2017
Important note : Users cannot be edited or removed once added to your Multi user PDF.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.
| Committee |
D 18
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| DocumentType |
Standard Practice
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| Pages |
10
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| PublisherName |
American Society for Testing and Materials
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| Status |
Superseded
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| SupersededBy | |
| Supersedes |
1.1This 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.
1.2The 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 E11).
1.3As 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.
1.4This 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.
1.5This 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 1940s.2 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.
1.6This 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7This 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.
1.8This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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| ASTM E 2392/E2392M : 2010 : R2016 | Standard Guide for Design of Earthen Wall Building Systems |
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| ASTM D 6528 : 2017 | Standard Test Method for Consolidated Undrained Direct Simple Shear Testing of Fine Grain Soils |
| ASTM D 4254 : 2016 | Standard Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density |
| ASTM D 6066 : 2011 | Standard Practice for Determining the Normalized Penetration Resistance of Sands for Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential (Withdrawn 2020) |
| ASTM D 1557 : 2012 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft<sup>3</sup> (2,700 kN-m/m<sup>3</sup>)) |
| ASTM D 653 : 2014 | Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids |
| ASTM D 6467 : 2013 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Method for Torsional Ring Shear Test to Determine Drained Residual Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils |
| ASTM D 4186/D4186M : 2012 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Method for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Saturated Cohesive Soils Using Controlled-Strain Loading |
| ASTM D 8167/D8167M : 2018 : REV A | Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth) |
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| ASTM D 2488 : 2017 : EDT 1 | Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedures) |
| ASTM D 4647/D4647M : 2013 | Standard Test Methods for Identification and Classification of Dispersive Clay Soils by the Pinhole Test |
| ASTM D 4972 : 2019 | Standard Test Methods for pH of Soils |
| ASTM D 698 : 2012 : EDT 2 | Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft<sup>3</sup> (600 kN-m/m<sup>3</sup>)) |
| ASTM D 4221 : 2018 | Standard Test Method for Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double Hydrometer |
| ASTM D 5299/D5299M : 2018 | Standard Guide for Decommissioning of Groundwater Wells, Vadose Zone Monitoring Devices, Boreholes, and Other Devices for Environmental Activities |
| ASTM D 5321/D5321M : 2019 | Standard Test Method for Determining the Shear Strength of Soil-Geosynthetic and Geosynthetic-Geosynthetic Interfaces by Direct Shear |
| ASTM D 2850 : 2015 | Standard Test Method for Unconsolidated-Undrained Triaxial Compression Test on Cohesive Soils |
| ASTM D 5101 : 2012 : R2017 | Standard Test Method for Measuring the Filtration Compatibility of Soil-Geotextile Systems |
| ASTM D 3999/D3999M : 2011 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Methods for the Determination of the Modulus and Damping Properties of Soils Using the Cyclic Triaxial Apparatus (Withdrawn 2020) |
| ASTM A 796/A796M : 2017 : REV A | Standard Practice for Structural Design of Corrugated Steel Pipe, Pipe-Arches, and Arches for Storm and Sanitary Sewers and Other Buried Applications |
| ASTM C 1479M : 2016 | Standard Practice for Installation of Precast Concrete Sewer, Storm Drain, and Culvert Pipe Using Standard Installations (Metric) |
| ASTM D 1883 : 2016 | Standard Test Method for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils |
| ASTM E 3163 : 2018 | Standard Guide for Selection and Application of Analytical Methods and Procedures Used during Sediment Corrective Action |
| ASTM D 425 : 2017 | Standard Test Method for Centrifuge Moisture Equivalent of Soils (Withdrawn 2024) |
| ASTM D 6913/D6913M : 2017 | Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis |
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| ASTM F 2787 : 2013 : R2018 | Standard Practice for Structural Design of Thermoplastic Corrugated Wall Stormwater Collection Chambers |
| ASTM D 2774 : 2012 | Standard Practice for Underground Installation of Thermoplastic Pressure Piping |
| ASTM B 788/B788M : 2009 : R2014 | Standard Practice for Installing Factory-Made Corrugated Aluminum Culverts and Storm Sewer Pipe |
| ASTM D 4546 : 2014 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils |
| ASTM D 4253 : 2016 | Standard Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table |
| ASTM D 7758 : 2017 | Standard Practice for Passive Soil Gas Sampling in the Vadose Zone for Source Identification, Spatial Variability Assessment, Monitoring, and Vapor Intrusion Evaluations |
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| ASTM B 790/B790M : 2016 | Standard Practice for Structural Design of Corrugated Aluminum Pipe, Pipe-Arches, and Arches for Culverts, Storm Sewers, and Other Buried Conduits |
| ASTM D 3550/D3550M : 2017 | Standard Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils |
| ASTM D 6938 : 2017 : REV A | Standard Test Methods for In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth) |
| ASTM D 1452/D1452M : 2016 | Standard Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by Auger Borings |
| ASTM D 1586/D1586M : 2018 | Standard Test Method for Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils |
| ASTM D 8204 : 2018 | Standard Practice for Burial and Retrieval of Samples in a Test Pad to Evaluate Installation Effects on Geosynthetic Clay Liners |
| ASTM F 3016/F3016M : 2014 | Standard Test Method for Surrogate Testing of Vehicle Impact Protective Devices at Low Speeds |
| ASTM A 807/A807M : 2017 | Standard Practice for Installing Corrugated Steel Structural Plate Pipe for Sewers and Other Applications |
| ASTM D 7277 : 2016 | Standard Test Method for Performance Testing of Articulating Concrete Block (ACB) Revetment Systems for Hydraulic Stability in Open Channel Flow |
| ASTM D 3080/D3080M : 2011 | Standard Test Method for Direct Shear Test of Soils Under Consolidated Drained Conditions (Withdrawn 2020) |
| ASTM D 2321 : 2018 | Standard Practice for Underground Installation of Thermoplastic Pipe for Sewers and Other Gravity-Flow Applications |
| ASTM D 7664 : 2010 : R2018 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soils |
| ASTM D 7181 : 2020 | Standard Test Method for Consolidated Drained Triaxial Compression Test for Soils |
| ASTM D 5321/D5321M : 2020 | Standard Test Method for Determining the Shear Strength of Soil-Geosynthetic and Geosynthetic-Geosynthetic Interfaces by Direct Shear |
| ASTM D 7663 : 2012 : R2018 : EDT 1 | Standard Practice for Active Soil Gas Sampling in the Vadose Zone for Vapor Intrusion Evaluations |
| ASTM D 7263 : 2009 : R2018 : EDT 2 | Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens |
| ASTM D 5567 : 1994 : R2018 | Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity Ratio (HCR) Testing of Soil/Geotextile Systems |
| ASTM D 6243/D6243M : 2020 | Standard Test Method for Determining the Internal and Interface Shear Strength of Geosynthetic Clay Liner by the Direct Shear Method |
| ASTM D 4647/D4647M : 2013:R2020 | Standard Test Methods for Identification and Classification of Dispersive Clay Soils by the Pinhole Test |
| ASTM D 6572 : 2020 | Standard Test Methods for Determining Dispersive Characteristics of Clayey Soils by the Crumb Test |
| ASTM D 2216 : 2005 | Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass |
| ASTM D 1140 : 2014 | Standard Test Methods for Determining the Amount of Material Finer than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Soils by Washing |
| ASTM D 2216 : 2010 | Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2012 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 4318 : 2005 | Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils |
| ASTM D 4083 : 1989 : R1994 : EDT 2 | Standard Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2019 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2004 : REV A : EDT 1 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 1140 : 2017 | Standard Test Methods for Determining the Amount of Material Finer than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Soils by Washing |
| ASTM D 2488 : 1969 : R1975 | Recommended Practice for Description Of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2008 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 4427 : 1992 : R2007 | Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing |
| ASTM D 2488 : 2017 | Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedures) |
| ASTM D 4318 : 2010 | Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils |
| ASTM D 3740 : 1999 : REV C | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 4318 : 2000 | Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils |
| ASTM D 4427 : 2013 : R2017 | Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing |
| ASTM D 4083 : 1989 : R2001 : EDT 1 | Standard Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 6913 : 2004 | Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis |
| ASTM D 4427 : 2013 | Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing |
| ASTM D 4427 : 1992 : R1997 | Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing |
| ASTM D 1140 : 2000 : R2006 | Standard Test Methods for Amount of Material in Soils Finer than No. 200 (75-μm) Sieve |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2011 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 4427 : 1992 : R2002 : EDT 1 | Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing |
| ASTM D 2488 : 2009 | Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 4083 : 1989 : R2007 | Standard Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2010 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 2216 : 2019 | Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass |
| ASTM D 4318 : 2017 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils |
| ASTM D 6913 : 2004 : R2009 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2004 : REV A | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2001 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 2488 : 2000 | Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 4318 : 2010 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils |
| ASTM D 4427 : 2007 | Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing |
| ASTM D 4083 : 1989 : R2016 | Standard Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2012 : REV A | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 4318 : 2017 | Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2003 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
| ASTM D 2216 : 1998 | Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass |
| ASTM D 1140 : 2000 | Standard Test Methods for Amount of Material in Soils Finer Than the No. 200 (75-um) Sieve |
| ASTM D 2216 : 1971 | Standard Method of Laboratory Determination Of Moisture Content Of Soil |
| ASTM D 6913 : 2004 : R2009 | Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis |
| ASTM D 4427 : 2018 | Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing |
| ASTM D 2488 : 2009 : REV A | Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 2488 : 2017 : EDT 1 | Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedures) |
| ASTM D 2488 : 2006 | Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure) |
| ASTM D 6913 : 2004 : EDT 1 | Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis |
| ASTM D 6913 : 2004 : EDT 2 | Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis |
| ASTM D 3740 : 2004 | Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction |
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