Assignment # 1

Geo technical engineering 1

Sumitted to : dr jahanzaib israr

Sumitted by : M. Rehman
Reg # : 2021-civ-101

University of engineering and

technology Lahore
 Importance of soil in civil engineering
Soil plays a major role in determining the depth of the foundation required to keep a
structure safe. Soil sometimes contains water which causes troubles in construction of
foundation. Soil testing is extremely important to environmentally sensitive applications
in agricultural and constructional fields.
Following are the soil problems face by the civil engineer.

1). Soil erosion

The mass movement of soil is an indicator of a soil erosion hazard. This includes gully erosion,
riverbank erosion, rock-falls, debris-falls and landslides that can create damage to the
environment and livelihoods. Annually, more than thousands of lives are lost due to mass soil
movement worldwide.

2). Organic soil

Organic soils, such as peats, are totally unsuitable for building on because they have a very low
bearing capacity and are very prone to shrinkage. Soils that are dominantly clayey need to be
assessed carefully.

3).Soil compaction
A compacted soil has a reduced rate of both water infiltration and drainage. This happens because
large pores more effectively move water downward through the soil than smaller pores. In addition,
the exchange of gases slows down in compacted soils, causing an increase in the likelihood of
aeration-related problems.

Soil failures
1).Retention wall fails
Retention walls are usually used in construction to hold back a vertical area of soil. If
this wall fails, then the soil can move; thus creating problems for nearby buildings. For
example, if a retention wall that is below a building or home fails, this may move the soil
underneath the building which can cause serious damage to the foundation.

2) Expansive soils
The second construction problem results from “expansive soils” ,soils that, due water
retention, expand or contract depending upon how wet or dry the soil becomes. If the
expansion and/or contraction is severe enough, this movement can cause serious
problems similar to settlement. Cracks in foundations and other parts of the home could
occur.

Chemical composition of clay minerals

1) kaolinite
Kaolin appears as odorless white to yellowish or grayish powder. Contains mainly the
clay mineral kaolinite (Al2O3(SiO2)2(H2O)2), a hydrous aluminosilicate. Kaolinite
has mp 740-1785 °C and density 2.65 g/cm3. Kaoline is insoluble in water but darkens
and develops a earthy odor when wet.

kaolinite

2) illite
Structurally, illite is quite similar to muscovite with slightly more silicon,
magnesium, iron, and water and slightly less tetrahedral aluminum and interlayer
potassium.

Illite

3) Montmorillonite
This family usually comprises nonmetallic clays primarily with a chemical composition of
hydrated sodium calcium aluminum silicate .