European soil classification system for engineering purposes

Abstract

This paper proposes the new European Soil Classification System (ESCS) for engineering purposes which uses soil description and symbols according to European standard EN ISO 1A688-.1, and which 34 countries are bound to implement, as CEN members. ESCS is developed on principles for soil classification according to the European standard EN ISO 14688-.2, and it generally complies with guidelines defined by the USCS soil classification system in accordance with the US standard ASTM D 2487. The procedure for the use of proposed classification, and examples of comparison with the USCS classification system, are presented.