Visual Classification
The proceeding labs were done to convey an accurately and clearly assessment of soil characteristics. The following methods of soil study are for describing soils based on visual, tactile, and olfactory examinations and manual tests. While the Microscopic analysis uses a visual aid to magnify the soil particles 10x, 40x, to 200x (see figure v1)
The soil from the lab was not that gritty which can be interpreted as less angular and could be classified as subrounded. The color of the soil ranged from a middle gray to a darker gray with not much moisture as the soil was previously oven dried. There were no original odor to the soil, the soil has more quartz than organic material. Using a tube to describe the relation percentage of sand and fines it was discovered that the particle all settle out at the bottom of the tube in the first 30 seconds. This test indicates that the soil has very small to no clay particles. the soil had a bit of hardness, a ball about 1 cm in diameter was tested for resistance by pressing the ball between the finger.the results of the hardness test were that the ball would pop and break due to its ability to stay hard before it released everywhere.
Results of the Visual identification are as followed:
The Dry Strength determined that the soil was medium, where the soil would break with considerable pressure between the fingers. The Dilatancy of the soil during the shaking was rapid, meaning the water appears and disappears quickly. For toughness the soil would not hold being rolled classified as low and the same for plasticity of the soil, it was also classified as low. The result were then used to determine it had an LL < 50 using table v1.
 10x the normal view of checkered board |  40x the normal view of edge of checkered board |
|---|---|
 200x the normal view of single line on checkered board |  The soil is at 10x the normal view and individual particles are visible. From this view the sand looks brown in color and very round there is no odor. and the soil is dry to the touch. |
 At 40x the normal view sand particle can be isolated and the space in between each sand particle has increased. Also it is observed that the sand is translucent in color and is Subrounded. The quartz where are individually seen are size like a rice which is a good visual of a subrounded particle. |  At 200x the Magnification, sand looks like glass and very small organic particles are what is dark. The degree of visible for the quartz can be seen here having a cube structure with is its most stable form for quartz |
FIGURE v1 is the magnification of the soil sample
TABLE v1 USCS Classification based on Visual Identification Criteria for Fine Grained Soils (NCEES, 2013)
