BAA 2513 SOIL MECHANICS & GEOLOGY

Origin and Formation of Soil

DR.PARAMESWARY SUNDARA

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING & EARTH RESOURCES

 Introduction
 Soil is more or less taken for granted by the average person.
 It makes up the ground on which we live.
 What simple activity can be done on soil?
Growing Crops.
 Who are deeply concerned with soil?
Geologists, contractors, hydrologists, farmers, agronomists, soil chemists.
 Most structures of all types rest either directly or indirectly upon soil.
 Therefore a proper analysis of the soil and design of the structure’s
foundation are necessary to ensure a safe structure free from undue settling
or collapse.
 Study of soil is important component in the education of civil engineers.
 Rocks; The Sources of Soil
 Soil is composed of particles; large and small.
 It include not only solid matter but also air and water.
 The particles are the result of weathering; disintegration and decomposition
of rocks.
 Some soil particles may over a period of time become consolidated under
the weight of overlying material and become rock.
TO FORM SOIL:
- Cycle of rock disintegrating.
TO FORM ROCK:
- Soil becoming consolidated under great pressure and heat.
Types of Igneous Rock

Granite
Bowen’s Reaction Principles
Assignment 1
 Question 1: Rock Cycle

State the associated process involved

for each formation of rocks.
 Question 2

 Beside water, what are the other physical agents that

help to disintegrate rocks?
 Question 3

 Briefly discuss mechanism of rock weathering by

selecting one of the weathering agent? (in this case is
water)
 Question 4

 In mechanical erosion, large rocks are broken down

into smaller pieces. It requires ________________
a. Without any change in the chemical composition.
b. With any change in the chemical composition.

*Select option (a) or (b)

 Question 5
 From engineering perspective, if material can be
removed without blasting, it is usually considered as
rock or soil? State reason why?
Thank You!