---
title: "Systems using size and plasticity"
subject: "Soil Mechanics"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_4/soil_mechanics:classification-size-plasticity-systems"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/soil_mechanics/classification-size-plasticity-systems
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Systems using size and plasticity

Soil Mechanics · Chapter 3: Soil Identifications and Classification

- Asked in: 2078 Baisakh, 2 marks
- Video: [Soil classification System](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Q3hjFaAPI) — Elementary Engineering
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/soil_mechanics/classification-size-plasticity-systems
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/soil_mechanics/chapter-3

## Question

Name the soil classification systems which use both particle size and plasticity characteristics of soil.

## Short answer

Systems using both particle size and plasticity are USCS, ISSCS (IS 1498), AASHTO, Casagrande airfield classification, and British Soil Classification System.

## Answer

Soil classification systems that use **both particle size and plasticity** are:
1. **Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)** - Casagrande.
2. **Indian Standard Soil Classification System (ISSCS)** - IS 1498.
3. **AASHTO classification system** - uses sieve analysis and Atterberg limits (also gives a group index).
4. **Casagrande's airfield classification** (the origin of the USCS).
5. **British Soil Classification System (BSCS)**.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which pair use both particle size and plasticity?
   A. USCS and IS 1498
   B. MIT and USDA
   C. USDA and textural chart
   D. MIT and triangular chart
   Answer: A. USCS and ISSCS use grain size and Atterberg limits. (Key point: Systems using both)

2. AASHTO classification uses
   A. only sieve analysis
   B. sieve analysis and Atterberg limits with a group index
   C. only origin of soil
   D. plasticity chart
   Answer: B. AASHTO also provides a group index. (Key point: AASHTO inputs)

3. USCS originated from
   A. MIT classification
   B. AASHTO classification
   C. Casagrande's airfield classification
   D. British system
   Answer: C. USCS developed from Casagrande's airfield system. (Key point: Origin of USCS)

## Related in Soil Mechanics

- [Systems by size and plasticity; ISSCS chart](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsoil_mechanics%3Aissc-plasticity-chart-systems) — Soil Mechanics, chapter 3
- [Soil classification systems](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsoil_mechanics%3Acommon-classification-systems) — Soil Mechanics, chapter 3, asked 3×
- [AASHTO classification of inorganic soil](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsoil_mechanics%3Aaashto-classify-inorganic-soil) — Soil Mechanics, chapter 3
- [USCS classification from PSD curves](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsoil_mechanics%3Auscs-classify-psd-curves-a-b) — Soil Mechanics, chapter 3
- [Purpose of soil classification](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsoil_mechanics%3Apurpose-of-soil-classification) — Soil Mechanics, chapter 3, asked 3×
- [Types of soil by formation, size](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsoil_mechanics%3Asoil-types-formation-grain-size) — Soil Mechanics, chapter 1

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