How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
(OP)
When it was being excavated the observations showed that the particles (sand and gravel) were sticking together and were excavated often as lumps. Does it suggest that we have clays or could silt be the same.
I am doing moisture content test and see that the (microwave) dried sample is still as lump and can be broken between the two fingers with moderate to high finger pressure.
Can I assume at least C = 5 kPa for this materials. The soil is clayey silty gravel and it is difficult to have some pure fine materials to carry out UCS or vane testing. Thank you.
I am doing moisture content test and see that the (microwave) dried sample is still as lump and can be broken between the two fingers with moderate to high finger pressure.
Can I assume at least C = 5 kPa for this materials. The soil is clayey silty gravel and it is difficult to have some pure fine materials to carry out UCS or vane testing. Thank you.





RE: How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
Many silts have cementing qualities. This is often called "hardpan" or some similar colloquial designation. Your description is consistent with such a material.
RE: How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
RE: How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
Sieve analysis showed that I have 11% fines, 26% sand and 63% gravel.
Prior to sieve analysis, substantial number of cobbles and boulders were discarded and the above percentages may be almost half if the weight of the cobbles and boulders are taken into account. For liquefaction analysis, should I still say that we have 11% fine or indeed we would have 6% fine?
Of course the cobbled and boulders are not still in contact and are within the finer soil matrix.
With the stickiness discussed can I assume a C = 5 kPa for the cohesion? Thank you again.
RE: How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
RE: How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
RE: How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
It mixed with aggregates and chewing is not possible
RE: How to distinguish silt from clay in the field
(not to suggest the obvious that is. . . )
f-d
¡papá gordo ain't no madre flaca!