If the soil has a compressive strength of 0.5 or less, it is classified as?

Soils with a compressive strength of 0.5 or less fall under the classification of Type C soils. Type C soils are generally characterized by low strength and can include loose sand, gravel, or soil that is saturated with water, making it unstable. This classification is crucial when considering excavation or construction projects, as it directly influences the safety measures and support systems that need to be implemented to prevent collapses or failures.

Understanding the properties of Type C soils is essential for ensuring that proper engineering controls and safety measures, such as shoring or sloping, are utilized during any maintenance or construction tasks in collection system maintenance. In contrast, Type A soils have the highest strength and stability, while Types B and D soils exhibit varying characteristics of strength and risk, but none have the low compressive strength and high potential for instability associated with Type C soils. Therefore, recognizing Type C is vital for safe practices in civil engineering and maintenance of collection systems.