{rfName}
Ev

Indexed in

License and use

Citations

38

Altmetrics

Analysis of institutional authors

Moreno-Maroto JmCorresponding Author
Share
Publications
>
Article

Evaluation of the USDA soil texture triangle through Atterberg limits and an alternative classification system

Publicated to:APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE. 229 106689- - 2022-11-01 229(), DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2022.106689

Authors: Moreno-Maroto JM; Alonso-Azcárate J

Affiliations

Univ Castilla La Mancha, Dept Phys Chem, Fac Environm Sci & Biochem, Ave Carlos III,s n, Toledo 45071, Spain - Author
Univ Jaen, Dept Chem Environm & Mat Engn, Higher Polytech Sch Linares, Sci & Technol Campus Linares, Jaen 23700, Spain - Author

Abstract

Since the texture triangle developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has traditionally been a basic tool in soil classification, a thorough examination of its suitability has been carried out in this research. A total of 256 soil samples from 21 different countries and 35 publications containing both textural (sand, silt and clay percentages) and Atterberg limits data have been analyzed. The soils were classified according to traditional particle size criteria using the USDA texture triangle. On the other hand, the Plasticity index / Liquid limit ratio, a parameter called clay factor (CF) in this research, was calculated and plotted against the percentage of sand to classify the soil according to the texture-plasticity system proposed by the authors in 2018. The evaluation through CF and comparison with the authors' proposal has shown the limitations of the USDA classification, which only determines soil texture in terms of particle size, but not how this texture affects actual soil properties, an aspect that could be very useful. It has been demonstrated that a significant percentage (20%) of soils classified with the USDA system actually exhibit plastic behavior that is completely unrelated to the assigned name (e.g., non-plastic soils classified as clay). However, the fact that about 80% of the classified soils with both systems present the same group designation (∼37%) or are adjacent groups (∼43%), shows that the authors' classification does not break sharply with the textural criteria accepted to date, which is positive if this new proposal is intended to be used as an alternative. Therefore, the proposed classification conciliates plastic and textural properties, allowing to classify the soil in a more accurate way, adjusting it to its real behavior.

Keywords
atterberg limitsclayclay factorconsistencydefinitionijsselmeer poldersmechanical-propertiesorganic-matterplasticitysedimentstexture triangletop soilsAtterberg limitsClay factorLaser-diffractionSoil classificationTexture triangle

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2022, it was in position 2/29, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Mineralogy. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations provided by WoS (ESI, Clarivate), it yields a value for the citation normalization relative to the expected citation rate of: 1.16. This indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Weighted Average of Normalized Impact by the Scopus agency: 6.25 (source consulted: FECYT Feb 2024)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-05-02, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 8
  • Scopus: 30
  • OpenCitations: 21
Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-05-02:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 140 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (MORENO MAROTO, JOSÉ MANUEL) .

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been MORENO MAROTO, JOSÉ MANUEL.