Activity No.

6
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING: USCS Soil Classification
Course Code: CE 436 Program:
Course Title: Computer Fundamentals, Date Performed:
Programming, and Applications for CE
Section: Date Submitted:
Name: Instructor: Engr. John Paulo Fernando
Objective(s):
The objective of this lab activity is to create a program for USCS soil classification that
automates data entry, analysis, and classification of soil samples based on their
engineering properties.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1. Input soil sample data into the Excel program and accurately analyze the
results for classification according to the USCS.
2.2. Interpret and report the classification results generated by the Excel program,
explaining their significance in geotechnical engineering contexts.
Discussion:
Soil classification is the separation of soil into classes or groups each having
similar characteristics and potentially similar behavior. A classification for engineering
purposes should be based mainly on mechanical properties such as permeability,
stiffness, strength. The class to which a soil belongs can be used in its description.
Soil with similar properties may be classified into two groups and subgroups based
on their engineering behavior. Classification systems provide a common language to
express concisely the general characteristics of soils, which are infinitely varied, without a
detailed description. At the present time, two elaborate classification systems that use the
grain-size distribution and the plasticity of soils are commonly used by soil engineers.
They are the American association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) classification system and the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The
AASHTO system is used mostly by state and county highway departments, whereas
geotechnical engineers usually prefer to use the Unified Soil Classification System.
The original form of USCS was proposed by Casagrande in 1948 for use in the
airfield construction works undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers during World War
II. In cooperation with the US Bureau of Reclamation, this system was revised in 1952.
This system classifies soils into two broad categories:
1. Coarse grained soils that are gravelly and sandy in nature with less than 50%
passing through the No.200 sieve. The group symbols start with a prefix of either G
or S. G stands for gravel or gravelly soil, and S for sand or sandy soil.
2. Fine-grained soils with 50% or more passing through the No.200 sieve. The group
symbols start with a prefix M, which stands for inorganic silt, C for organic clay, or
O for organics silts and clays. The symbol Pt is used for peat, muck and other
highly organic soils.
Figure 1. Unified Soil Classification system (Based on Material Passing 75-mm
sieve)
 Figure 2. Plasticity Chart

For proper classification according to this system, some or all of the following information
must be known:
1. Percent of gravel – that is, the fraction passing the 76.2-mm sieve and retained
on the No. 4 sieve (4.75-mm opening)
2. Percent of sand – that is, the fraction passing the No.4 sieve (4.75-mm opening)
and retained on the No.200 sieve (0.075-mm opening)
3. Percent of silt and clay – that is, the fraction finer than the No.200 sieve (0.075-
mm opening)
4. Uniformity coefficient (Cu) and the coefficient of gradation (Cc).
5. Liquid Limit and Plasticity Index of the portion of soil passing No.40 sieve.
 Figure 3. Flowchart Group Names for Gravelly and Sandy Soil

Figure 4. Flowchart Group Names for Inorganic Silty and Clayey Soils
 Figure 5. Flowchart Group Names for Organic Silty and Clayey Soils

Materials and Equipment:

1. Computer
2. Microsoft Excel Software
Procedure:
Procedure for Developing a USCS Soil Classification Calculator in Excel:
Step 1: Set Up Input Fields
1. Open a New Excel File: Start with a blank Excel spreadsheet.
2. Label Input Fields: In the first sheet (rename it to “USCS Calculator”), create the
following labels in column A:
A1: "Gravel (% Passing No. 4 sieve)"
A2: "Sand (% Passing No. 200 sieve)"
A3: "Silt/Clay (% Passing No. 200 sieve)"
A4: "Liquid Limit (LL)"
A5: "Plastic Limit (PL)"
A6: "Plasticity Index (PI)" (This will be computed automatically)

3. Input Values:
In column B (next to the labels), set input cells for gravel, sand, and silt/clay content
as percentages, and for LL and PL as numbers.

Step 2: Calculate Plasticity Index (PI)

In cell B6, calculate the Plasticity Index (PI) using the formula:
=B4 - B5
where B4 is the Liquid Limit and B5 is the Plastic Limit.

Step 3: Determine Classification for Coarse-Grained Soils

1. Add Gravel-Sand Ratio:
In cell B7, label it as "Gravel % / Sand % Ratio", and input the formula:
=IF(B1/B2>1, "Gravelly", "Sandy")
This classifies if the soil is gravelly or sandy based on the gravel-sand ratio.

2. Well-Graded vs. Poorly-Graded:

In cell B8, label it as "Well/poorly graded", and insert a conditional formula:
=IF(B1>50, "GW (Well-graded gravel)", IF(B2>50, "SW (Well-graded sand)",
"GP/SP"))

Step 4: Determine Classification for Fine-Grained Soils

1. Plasticity Chart-based Classification: Add conditions based on Liquid Limit (LL)
and Plasticity Index (PI) to classify silt and clay (e.g., ML, CL, MH, CH).
In cell B9, label it as "Fine-grained classification", and input a formula based on ranges
of LL and PI:
=IF(AND(B4<50, B6<7), "ML (Silt)", IF(AND(B4<50, B6>=7), "CL (Clay)",
IF(AND(B4>=50, B6<7), "MH (High plasticity silt)", "CH (High plasticity clay)")))
Step 5: Display Final Soil Classification
1. Create Final Soil Classification Cell:
In cell B10, label it as "Final USCS Classification", and combine the coarse-grained
and fine-grained classifications:
=IF(B1>50, B7, B9)

Step 6: Test and Validate

1. Input Sample Data: Enter known test data for different soil types (e.g., gravel,
sand, clay) to verify the calculator's accuracy.
2. Check for Correct Classification: Compare the results with the expected soil
classifications based on the USCS.

Step 7: Format and Protect the Sheet

1. Protect Cells: Lock all cells except for the input fields so that users can't
accidentally modify formulas.
2. Format Cells: Apply conditional formatting for easy visualization of different soil
classifications.

Step 8: Add Descriptive Notes and Instructions

1. Include a section with instructions explaining how to use the tool, what data to
input, and how to interpret the results.

Optional Steps:
- Add a Chart: Include a chart to visualize the plasticity index or particle size
distribution.

This Excel-based USCS soil classification calculator should be an easy-to-use tool for
determining soil type based on the Unified Soil Classification System.

You can improve the program using the charts on the Discussion and make your
codes as discussed.
Data and Results
1. Classify the following soils in the USCS.

a. What is Soil A? _________________

b. What is Soil B? _________________

2. Classify the following soils in the USCS. Consider the soils to be inorganic.

a. What is Soil C? _________________

b. What is Soil D? _________________

3. For an inorganic soil, the following grain size analysis is given. For this soil,
𝐿𝐿 = 23 and 𝑃𝐿 = 19. Classify the soil in the USCS.

a. What is the soil? _______________________

7. Conclusion
Excel is a powerful tool for streamlining the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) used in
geotechnical engineering. One of its key advantages is the automation of calculations, allowing
engineers to quickly determine soil characteristics like grain-size distribution and Atterberg limits
(liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index) through pre-set formulas. This reduces manual labor
and minimizes errors in the classification process.

Excel also excels in data management. It enables organized storage of large datasets, making it
easier to track multiple soil samples and their classification properties. Additionally, Excel’s built-in
charting features allow engineers to create visual representations such as grain-size distribution
curves, which aid in interpreting soil behavior.

Custom templates can be developed in Excel to automate the classification process, using formulas
and dropdown menus to assign appropriate USCS soil groups. This not only saves time but also
ensures consistency in applying classification rules, reducing human errors.

Furthermore, Excel integrates well with other software commonly used in geotechnical analysis,
making it easy to import and export data. It also simplifies the process of generating reports, enabling
clear documentation of soil data and results.

9. Assessment Rubric: