Texture classes

In addition to clay (loam), the silt and sand fractions are also shown. Clay is smaller than 2 micrometers (µm), silt particles are 2 - 50 µm, and sand particles are larger than 50 µm. The distribution of soil particles between each other is used, among other things, to estimate the risk of slaking. If slaking does occur, the soil is compacted with smaller particles (clay and silt). A very one-sided distribution (e.g. mainly sand or clay particles) carries the least risk of slaking, while a ratio of soil particles with 10-20% clay has the highest risk of slaking. In the past, soils were classified according to the rate of siltation. This method was replaced in the 1990s by measuring the % clay (loam).

Why do we measure texture?