Soil Mechanics

COURSE OUTLINE
Subject name
Subject code
Status
Credit hour
Semester/Year
Pre-requisite
Teaching
method
Assessment

Soil Mechanics
EV206
Major
4
2/1
Nil
Lecture & Laboratory
Assignments/Quizzes/Lab
20%
Tests/Mid-term
30%
Final Exam
50%
1

Objective
This unit aims to:
Educate student on the fundamental of
soil mechanics and soil behaviour.
Introduce student to some aspects of
geology and rock mechanics.
Expose student to characteristics of soil,
classifications, compaction, permeability,
and the strength of soil.
Introduce fundamental laboratory works
in soil mechanics.
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Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, the
student will be able to:
Formulate relationship between volume
and mass of basic soil components.
Analyse total stresses, water pressure
and effective stresses in soil.
Determine multiplier for soil permeability
experimentally.
Apply the knowledge of soil stresses to
determine the stability.
Determine compressibility properties and
predict behaviour and magnitude of
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consolidation/settlements of soils.

Textbook, References
Preffered Textbook
McCarthy, D.F. 1998. Essentials of Soil Mechanics and
Foundations. 5th. Edition. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

References
1. Das, B.M. 2002. Principles of Geotechnical
Engineering. 4th. Edition. Boston: PWS.
2. Bardet, J.P. 1997. Experimental Soil Mechanics. New
Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
3. Beavis, F.C. 1992. Geologi Kejuruteraan. Kuala
Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka.
4. West, T.R. 1995. Geology Applied to Engineering.
New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
5. Walthamm A.C. 1994. Foundation of Engineering
4
Geology, Blackie Academic & Professional

CLASS
POLICIES

Rock Cycle and the Origin of Soil

10

ORIGINS OF SOILS
All soils originate from solid rocks and
these are classified according to their mode
of formation as follows :
1) IGNEOUS ROCKS : Formed by cooling or
hardening of molten rock ( called magma )
within or on the surface of the earths
crust, e.g. Granite.
2) SEDIMENTARY ROCKS : Formed in layers
from sediments settling in bodies of water,
such as seas and lake, e.g. Limestone.
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 3) METAMORPHIC ROCKS : Formed

by alteration of existing rocks due
to : (a) extreme heat, e.g. Marble, or
(b) extreme pressure, e.g. slate

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Rock cycle

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Weathering
Weathering is the process of breaking
down rocks by mechanical (physical)
and chemical processes into smaller
pieces.

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Mechanical (Physical ) Weatherin

Mechanical weathering breaking of
rocks into smaller pieces
Frost wedging freezing/thawing of water
in fractures, disintegration of rocks
Unloading exfoliation of igneous and
metamorphic rocks at the Earths surface
due to a reduction in confining pressure
Thermal expansion expansion and
contraction due to heating and cooling
Biological activity disintegration
resulting from plants and animals
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FACTORS CONTROLLING THE

FORMATION
The effects of weathering : frost,
wind, rain, temperature change and
gravity.
The effects of transport : flowing
water, hot arid climates, movement
of ice.
The interference by action of man.
The nature and composition of the
parent rock.
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Chemical Weathering
Breaks down rock components and
internal structures of minerals
Most important agent involved in
chemical weathering is water
(responsible for transport of ions and
molecules involved in chemical processes)

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Chemical Weathering

Processes
Dissolution
Aided by small amounts of acid in the water
Soluble ions are retained in the underground
water supply

Oxidation
Chemical reaction where compound or
radical loses electrons
Important in decomposing ferromagnesian
minerals

Hydrolysis
The reaction of any substance with water
Hydrogen ion attacks and replaces other
positive ions
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Soil Categories (Due to

weathering process of rock)
Transported Soils : Those
materials that have been
removed from their place of
origin. Soil particles are often
segregated according to size by,
or during, the transportation
process.
Residual Soils : Those materials
that formed from the weathering
of rock or accumulation of

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Soil-Particle Size
Based on the size of the soil particles, soil
can be classified as gravel, sand, silt or clay.

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Mechanical Analysis of Soil

Mechanical Analysis is a process for
determination the size range of particles
present in a soil mass.
1) Sieve Analysis For particles size >
0.075mm in diameter (Coarse grain
soil)
2) Hydrometer Analysis For particles size
< 0.075 mm in diameter (Fine grain
soil)
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Particle-Size Distribution Curve

(Coarse Grain Soil)

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A well-graded soil has Cu >4 (Gravel), Cu>6

(Sand)
Cc= 1 to 3 (Gravel
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and Sand )