Geotechnical engineering uses soil as a construction material.
The geotechnical properties of soil play a major role in any construction project involving buildings, roads or earthen structures such as dams and embankments. These projects use soil as an engineering material in terms of its ability to carry weight and support structures. The geotechnical properties of soils involve the physical and chemical characteristics that make up a soil's environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Soil Characteristics
The characteristics that make up a particular soil environment originate from the types of rocks the soil came from. Soil forms as weathering effects from wind and rain wear away at existing rock formations to the point where fine mineral particles and rock fragments remain. Over time, soil, water, air and organic materials from decayed plants and animals combine to create a soil's structure and texture. The amount of water, air and organic matter present determines a soil's cohesiveness in terms of how well it holds together, according to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Cohesiveness also depends on the types of particles that make up the soil, which can appear as sand, silt, clay or fine mineral particles. An environment's geotechnical properties have to do with the soil's mechanical structure, which determines how it moves when additional weight is applied.
Soil Consistency
Soil consistency properties stem from an environment's overall structure in terms of the amount of air, liquid and solid material present. According to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, soil particles can appear in different shapes and sizes, which take on or absorb water and air in different proportions. In geotechnical terms, soils are measured according to their plasticity, or ability to mold together. Plasticity has to do with water content and how a soil behaves at different water levels. Measuring plasticity involves establishing how much water it takes to turn a particular soil environment into a solid or liquid material. Plasticity properties vary according to the types of soil particles present, with fine grain particles having the highest plasticity and sand particles having the lowest.
Soil Strength
Soil strength refers to a soil's ability to maintain its basic shape and form when weight is applied. According to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, factors affecting soil strength include soil particle size, as well as water and air content. Moisture-prone soils, such as clay or organic soils, tend to expand when water is present. When this happens, the soil environment eventually compacts as moisture evaporates. From a geotechnical standpoint, moisture-prone soils make for a poor construction site in terms of load-carrying capacities and structural soundness. A sound soil environment maintains its structural integrity when water present, which leaves soil particle shapes intact when water levels evaporate.
Tags: soil environment, Dakota School, Dakota School Mines, geotechnical properties, Mines Technology, School Mines, School Mines Technology
