Problems of usage of soil classification systems for sand soils of Lithuania

Abstract

Sand soils cover approximately 30 % of the territory of Lithuania. They are frequently used as foundation for different buildings. Lately, in geotechnical investigations, classification of sand soils according to their grain size distribution has been based on different classification schemes: Lithuanian (LST 1445:1996, LST 1331:2002), German (DIN 18196), United Kingdom (BS 5930:1990), USA (ASTM D2487-06e1), European (EN ISO 14688-2:2004), and Russian (GOST 25100-82). In Lithuania, in different classifications, principles for sand division are various. The purpose of this article is to assess similarities and differences of classification of sand soils according to their grain size distribution based on investigations of sand soil grain size distribution and of mechanical properties using different classification systems.