Practice Question: OSHA Soil Classification – Type A Soil

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Solution

Type A soils are cohesive in nature and possess an unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 tsf or more.

Examples of Type A cohesive soils include clay, silty clay, sandy clay, clay loam, and, in certain instances, silty clay loam and sandy clay loam.

It's important to note that a soil cannot be classified as Type A if it is fissured, prone to any form of vibration, previously disturbed, part of a sloped layered system with layers dipping into the excavation at a slope of 4 horizontal to 1 vertical (4H:1V) or steeper, or if it has seeping water.

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