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Home»Soil Classification»Similarities and Differences between AASHTO and USCS soil classification systems
Soil Classification

Similarities and Differences between AASHTO and USCS soil classification systems

Mezie EthelbertBy Mezie EthelbertUpdated:No Comments
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The two major soil classification systems in the world are: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The similarities between the two systems lies in the fact that they originate from the same basis of classification: particle size analysis and plasticity characteristics. They are also approximately similar in the soil types obtainable from both groups as shown in Table 1

Table 1; Similarities of soil types between AASHTO and USCS

AASHTO system USCS
Symbols Symbols
A-1-a GW, GP
A-1-b SW, SM, GM, SP
A-2-4 GM, SM
A-2-5 GM, SM
A-2-6 GC, SC
A-2-7 GM, GC, SM, SC
A-3 SP
A-4 ML, OL, MH, OH
A-5 MH, OH, ML, OH
A-6 CL
A-7-5 OH, MH, CL, OL
A-7-6 CH, CL, OH

Where,

GM = well graded gravels

GP = poorly graded gravels

GM = silty gravels

GC = clayey gravels

SW = well-graded sands

SP = poorly graded sands

SM = silty sands

SC = clayey sands

ML = inorganic silt of low plasticity

CL = inorganic clays of low to medium plasticity

OL = organic silt of low plasticity

MH = inorganic silt of high plasticity

CH = inorganic clays of high plasticity

OH = organic clays of medium to high plasticity

Pt = peat, muck and other highly organic soils

The differences between the two systems is as tabulated below

Table 2; Differences between AASHTO and USCS

S/No AASHTO USCS
1 Used to find suitability of soils as subgrade material for highways Used for determining suitability of soil for general use
2 Soil termed fine-grained if more than 35% passes No. 200 (0.075mm) sieve Soil termed as fine-grained if more than 50% passes No. 200 sieve
3 Sieve No 10 (2.0 mm) is used to divide the soil into gravel and sand Sieve No 4 (4.75 mm) is used to divide the soil into gravel and sand
4 Gravelly and sandy soils not clearly defined Gravelly and sandy soils clearly defined
5 There is no place for organics soils Organic soils are classified as OL and OH and as Peat (Pt)
6 It is time-consuming to use due to the process of elimination It is more convenient to use

Thanks for reading

Reference

Arora, K.R. (2008). Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. 7th edition. Standard Publishers Distributors, New Delhi

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