Soil mechanics study of the physical properties of
soil
Soils engineering is the application of the principles
of soil mechanics to practical problems.
Geotechnical engineering is the subdiscipline of
civil engineering that involves natural materials
found close to the surface of the earth.
Soil- uncemented aggregate of mineral grains and
decaying organic matter
to ensure a safe structure free from unduesettling
and/or collapse.
Karl Terzaghi Presided the first conference of the
International Society of Soil Mechanics and
Foundation
Engineering (ISSMFE) in 1936 at Harvard University
Igneous rocks - Formed by solidification of molten
magma
Sedimentary rocks- Formed by the accumulated
deposit of soil particles
Metamorphic rocks - Formed by the process of
changing the composition and texture of rocks
1. Mechanical (physical) weathering
• Caused by the expansion or contraction of rocks
from which the continuous gain and loss of heat
2. Chemical weathering
• The original rock minerals are transformed into
new minerals by chemical reaction.
An important characteristic of residual soil is the
gradation of particle size.
transported soil, regardless of the agent that
performed the transportation
Cohesionless – particles do not tend to stick
together
Cohesive – characterized by very small particle size
where surface chemical effects predominate.
Organic – typically spongy, crumble, and
compressible.
Silt – microscopic fraction that consist of very fine
quarts grains and fragments of micaceous minerals.
Granular soils- Exhibiting large bearing capacities
and
experiencing relatively small settlements
Cohesive soils -They tend to have lower shear
strength. They can be plastic and compressible.
1. Sieve Analysis
• For particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm in diameter
2. Hydrometer Analysis
• For particle sizes smaller than 0.075 mm in
diameter
A given volume of soil in natural occurrence consists
of solid particles and the void spaces between the
particles.
If the entire void space is filled with water, it is
referred to as a saturated soil.
However, if the void is partially filled with water, it
is a moist soil.
Void Ratio (e) is defined as the ratio of the volume
of voids to the volume of solids. It is expressed in
decimals.
Porosity (n) is defined as the ratio of the volume of
voids to the total volume of the soil aggregate.
Degree of Saturation (S), in %, is defined as the ratio
of the volume of water to the volume of voids
Moisture Content ( w), also referred to as water
content, is defined as the ratio of the weight of
water to the weight of solids in a given volume of
soil
Unit weight (γ), also called moist unit weight, is the
weight of soil per unit volume
Dry unit weight (γd) is the weight of soil solid per
unit volume
Relative density – commonly used to indicate the in
situ denseness and looseness of granular soil.