Septic System Soil Test vs. Soil Borings
Septic System Soil Test vs. Soil Borings
(OP)
Just a general question that came up on a residential project. In the situation where only a septic system soil test has been taken and classified using the USDA 12 texture divisions and the other standard visual paramenters is there any kind of correlation that can be made to the Unified Soil Classification System?
Soil borings are seldom done for a small 1-5 lot development for structural purposes, but a septic system soil report is always required for private sewage system.
Just wondering what others do.
Soil borings are seldom done for a small 1-5 lot development for structural purposes, but a septic system soil report is always required for private sewage system.
Just wondering what others do.





RE: Septic System Soil Test vs. Soil Borings
My understanding is that even the USDA classification system requires particle size distribution testing. You can plot the % passings based on the USDA grain sizes for a rough USCS classification. I used to work in IL and ILDOT does a modified USDA classification system. We still performed the ASTM particle size test, so maybe the raw lab data is available in this format?!
Hope this helps,
Jeff
Jeffrey T. Donville, PE
TTL Associates, Inc.
www.ttlassoc.com
The views or opinions expressed by me are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer.
RE: Septic System Soil Test vs. Soil Borings
This obviously has some major probability of error since it is an estimate of an estimate of a judgment, but it could get you in the ballpark, without having the term "loam" included.
RE: Septic System Soil Test vs. Soil Borings