Soil Identification by Visual-Manual Methods - a PDH Online Course for Engineers, Architects and Surveyors

Soil Identification by Visual-Manual Methods

Course Outline

This two hour online course discusses methods for the identification and description of soils based on visual and manual examinations. The methods are used not only for soil identification in the field but also in the lab or office. The equipment is minimalized to items such as a pocket knife, magnifying glass, scale and some hydrochloric acid. Values determined by visual-manual methods are approximate and have subtle differences from lab classifications. However they are meaningful and good indications of existing soil properties.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will have covered these topics:

Checklist for making systematic visual identification of soil samples;
Identification of soils by visual means in the field;
Identification of soils by manual and handling examinations;
Identification of soils by grain sizes, textures and shapes;
Soil conditions, moisture conditions that become accessible during excavations, borings etc;
Determination of approximate soil moisture as an indicator of existing soil conditions; and
Commonly used soil names and descriptions.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for civil engineers and project engineers.

Benefit to Attendees

The student will become familiar with visual and manual examinations of soils.

Course Introduction

The design of building foundations, excavation, fills and slopes requires an understanding of soil characteristics and consideration of problem soils. In-situ field-testing along with laboratory soils tests provides this information. Visual-manual methods are important to determine existing soil conditions and are helpful in selecting the appropriate lab tests especially since laboratory tests can be expensive.

Course Content

The course is based on Appendix F-3 (EM1110-1-1906) of the US Corps of Engineers, “Visual Identification of Soil Samples”, (2001 Edition, 21 pages), PDF file. The course is also based on DOT government information publication, “Recommended Practice for Description of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)”, (2000 Edition, 5 pages); OSHA publication, “Field Method for ID of Soil Texture”, (2000 Edition, 2 pages); and Sample soil ID data sheets, “Visual Soil Classification Data Sheet”, (1998, 4 pages)

Visual identification of Soil Samples

Field Method for ID of Soil Texture

Visual Soil Classification Data Sheet

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.

Course Summary

This course should serve as a guide for examining and identifying soils and soil conditions in the field by visual and manual methods. The importance of the methods and the basic equipment used for various soils tests is discussed. Some basic soil behavior and problem soils are also discussed.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please refer to:

http://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/validate/id194/id194.html
Soil classification by visual/manual procedures discussed in OSHA Method ID-194.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.