Engineering Properties of Soils

• A short review of the laboratory and field

methods to arrive at quantitative assessment
of the properties of the soil
 MODELS USED IN DESIGN OF FOUNDATIONS

1. By using empirical or thumb rules without any calculations

based on past experience or local practice.
For example we will design a low retaining wall by this
method. Similarly for timbering of a shallow excavation up to
3 m height, it is more economical to use local practices.
2. By theoretical calculations using the soil properties and
theories of soil mechanics as in the study of the stability of an
earth slope.
3. By actual prototype testing under field conditions after
theoretical study as in the design of pile foundations.
4. By adopting construction with the observational method of
using field indicators to monitor soil behaviour as in soil
improvement by pre-loading.
CLASSIFICATION OF METHODS USED
IN SOIL MECHANICS
 The Winkler Model
• Discrete, independent, linear elastic springs
• Soil behaviour is linear in general
 ENGINEERING PROPERTIES
• Group I—Physical properties. These properties give us a general
indication of the type and state of the soil we are dealing with. They
are also known as index properties.
• The important ones are the following:
• Geological origin
• Grain size distribution, unit weight and specific gravity
• Liquid and plastic limits along with natural water content of fine
grained soils
• Void ratio and relative density of clays and sands respectively
• Shrinkage limit of fine grained soils
• Activity of clays
• Sensitivity of clays
• Swelling index of clays.
• Group II—Mechanical (or engineering)
properties. These are the properties we use in
our engineering calculations. The important ones
are the following:
• Shear strength and stress-strain characteristics
• Modulus of subgrade reaction
• Deformation modulus (modulus of elasticity)
• Consolidation characteristics
• Other special properties like permeability for
special problems.
REVIEW OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
• Geological Origin
• Grain Size Distribution
• Limits of Consistency
• Void Ratio
• Shrinkage Limit of Clays
• Activity of Clays
• Sensitivity of Clays
• Swelling Index
Comparison of water content (w) with
limits
STRENGTH OF SOILS
 SOIL PARAMETERS FROM FIELD
SOUNDING TESTS
• Standard penetration test (SPT and N values)
IS 2131.
• Dynamic cone penetration test (DCPT) IS 4968
Parts I and II gives Ncd values.
• Static cone penetration test (SCPT and qc
values in kg/cm2) IS 4968 Part III.