Properties and Classification
1. Fall 2023 and Fall 2022
a) Why do we do sieve analysis? Following data were obtained from sieve analysis. 1+7
i. Draw grain size distribution Curve
ii. Classify the soil as per USCS
Sieve Size % finer
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
4.75 100 100 100
2 100 99.25 100
1 99.8 98.75 99.9
450 99.65 98 99.7
212 98.95 54.15 90
150 97.55 7.6 81.5
75 96.85 6 63
Liquid limit 23 - -
Plastic limit 16.77 - -
Plasticity index 6.23 Non - Plastic Non – Plastic
b) Why soil classification is essential? List out the systems that are generally used and explain how you
identify the soil in a field. 2+5
2. Spring 2023
a) Differentiate between USCS and ISCS. Discuss briefly about unified soil classification system. 8
3. Spring 2021
a) Describe about the index properties of soil. Why, study of soil mechanics is important in civil
engineering. (6)
b) Draw the grain size distribution curves for two soils A and B for which the following observations
were taken. The total weight of the soil sample was 500gms in each case. Find out uniformity
coefficient of both soils and explain what these values indicate. Also find the effective diameter of
sample B. (9)
Sieve 4.78 2.41 1.2 0.6 0.3 0.15 0.075 Pan
opening
in mm
Sample - 72 91 75 182 15 55 10
A, wt.
retained
in gms.
Sample - - 4 8 201 52 227 8
B, wt.
retained
in gms.
c) How to identify silt, sand and clay in field? Explain (8)
4. Write short notes on:
a) Clay minerals and its types (Fall 2021)
