ASTM D2487-17e1 PDF Download

The ASTM D2487-17e1 standard provides a system for classifying mineral and organo-mineral soils based on laboratory determination of particle-size characteristics, liquid limit, and plasticity index. The classification system assigns a group name and symbol(s) to describe the soil's significant properties for engineering use. The standard's groupings are designed to correlate with the engineering behavior of soils, making it a useful tool in field or laboratory investigations for geotechnical engineering purposes.

The standard can be used in conjunction with ASTM Practice D2488 to provide additional descriptive information about the soil. It can also be used as a training aid for personnel learning to use Practice D2488. In cases where frozen soils are being worked with, the standard can be used in combination with Practice D4083.

It is important to note that while the standard provides a classification system, it is limited to naturally occurring soils and is for qualitative application only. For detailed designs of important structures, additional laboratory tests or quantitative data are required to determine performance characteristics under expected field conditions.

The ASTM D2487-17e1 standard is the ASTM version of the Unified Soil Classification System, which was developed in the early 1940s and later adopted by several U.S. Government Agencies in 1952. It is important to understand that this standard does not replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged. It should be used in conjunction with professional judgment and considered in light of the unique aspects of each project.