soil mech
Soil Mechanics
Soil is the most misunderstood term in the field. The problem arises in the reasons for which different groups or professions study soils.
Soil scientists are interested in soils as a medium for plant growth. So soil scientists focus on the organic rich part of the soils horizon and refer to the sediments below the weathered zone as parent material.
Classification is based on physical, chemical, and biological properties that can be observed and measured.
Soils engineers think of a soil as any material that can be excavated with a shovel (no heavy equipment). Classification is based on the particle size, distribution, and the plasticity of the material. These classification criteria more relate to the behavior of soils under the application of load - the area where we will concentrate.
Soil Mechanics
Most geologists fall somewhere in between. Geologists are interested in soils and weathering processes as indicators of past climatic conditions and in relation to the geologic formation of useful materials ranging from clay to metallic ore deposits. Geologists usually refer to any loose material below the plant growth zone as sediment or unconsolidated material.
The term unconsolidated is also confusing to engineers because consolidation specifically refers to the compression of saturated soils in soils engineering.
1
Soil Mechanics
Engineering Properties of Soil
The engineering approach to the study of soil focuses on the characteristics of soils as construction materials and the suitability of soils to withstand the load applied by structures of various types.
Weight-Volume Relationship
Earth materials are three-phase systems. In most applications, the phases include solid particles, water, and air. Water and air occupy voids between the solid particles. For soils in particular, the physical relationship between these phases must be examined. A mass of soil can be conveniently represented as a block diagram,
Soil is the most misunderstood term in the field. The problem arises in the reasons for which different groups or professions study soils.
Soil scientists are interested in soils as a medium for plant growth. So soil scientists focus on the organic rich part of the soils horizon and refer to the sediments below the weathered zone as parent material.
Classification is based on physical, chemical, and biological properties that can be observed and measured.
Soils engineers think of a soil as any material that can be excavated with a shovel (no heavy equipment). Classification is based on the particle size, distribution, and the plasticity of the material. These classification criteria more relate to the behavior of soils under the application of load - the area where we will concentrate.
Soil Mechanics
Most geologists fall somewhere in between. Geologists are interested in soils and weathering processes as indicators of past climatic conditions and in relation to the geologic formation of useful materials ranging from clay to metallic ore deposits. Geologists usually refer to any loose material below the plant growth zone as sediment or unconsolidated material.
The term unconsolidated is also confusing to engineers because consolidation specifically refers to the compression of saturated soils in soils engineering.
1
Soil Mechanics
Engineering Properties of Soil
The engineering approach to the study of soil focuses on the characteristics of soils as construction materials and the suitability of soils to withstand the load applied by structures of various types.
Weight-Volume Relationship
Earth materials are three-phase systems. In most applications, the phases include solid particles, water, and air. Water and air occupy voids between the solid particles. For soils in particular, the physical relationship between these phases must be examined. A mass of soil can be conveniently represented as a block diagram,
Links: Tri-axial shear test 25