Soil Mechanics and Foundations and

Testing properties of materials

Chapter Two
Soil origin and grain size

Dr. Lina Jaber

 Chapter two
Origin of Soil and Grain Size
2.1 INTRODUCTION
In general, soils are formed by weathering of rocks. The physical properties of soil
are dictated primarily by the minerals that constitute the soil particles and, hence,
the rock from which it is derived.

On the basis of their mode of origin, rocks can be divided into three basic types:
Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic.
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 GEOLOGICAL (ROCK) CYCLE
SOIL is the final product of rock weathering

Dr. Lina Jaber

 2.2 ROCK TYPES
Three major groups:

2.2.1 Igneous rocks

Igneous rocks are formed by the solidification of molten magma ejected from
deep within the earth’s mantle. After ejection by either fissure eruption or
volcanic eruption.

 Extrusive rocks are the result of magma cooling at the surface(Rapid cooling),
and they are characterized by a fine grained structure

 Intrusive Rocks are the result of magma cooling within the earth’s crust (slow
cooling), and they are characterized by large crystalline structure.

Thus, depending on the proportions of minerals available, different types of

igneous rock are formed. Granite, gabbro, and basalt are some of the common
types of igneous rock generally encountered in the field.

Dr. Lina Jaber

 Main Igneous rocks used for construction
• Granite: Often used for buildings and architectural construction
• Gabbro: Used in crushed stone for concrete aggregate, road..
• Pumice: Used as an abrasive material in hand soup
• Basalt: Used for concrete aggregate and for road base, asphalt pavement
aggregate

Granite

Intrusive
Extrusive

Pumice

Dr. Lina Jaber

 2.2.1.1 Weathering

Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks by mechanical and chemical

processes into smaller pieces.

In mechanical weathering, large rocks are broken down into smaller pieces
without any change in the chemical composition, it may be caused by:
• the expansion and contraction of rocks from the continuous gain and loss of
heat, which results in ultimate disintegration. Water seeps into the pores and
existing cracks in rocks, as the temperature drops, the water freezes and
expands.

• Other physical agents that help disintegrate rocks are, wind, running water of
streams and rivers, and ocean waves.

In chemical weathering, the original rock minerals are transformed into new minerals
by chemical reaction. Water and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere form carbonic
acid, which reacts with the existing rock minerals to form new minerals and soluble
salts.

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Dr. Lina Jaber
 2.2.1.2 Transportation of Weathering Products

The products of weathering may stay in the same place or may be moved to other
places by ice, water, wind, and gravity. The soils formed by the weathered
products at their place of origin are called residual soils.

2.2.2 Sedimentary Rocks

Detrital sedimentary rocks:

The deposits of gravel, sand, silt, and clay formed by weathering may become:
- compacted by overburden pressure
- cemented by agents like iron oxide, calcite, dolomite, and quartz.
Cementing agents are generally carried in solution by ground-water. They fill the
spaces between particles and form sedimentary rock. (ex. Conglomerate
Sandstone, Mudstone and shale)

Chemical Sedimentary rock also can be formed by chemical processes.

(limestone, chalk, dolomite, gypsum…)

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 Limestone

Conglomerate

Sandstone

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 Lithification of Clay

CLAY Lithification

SHALE

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 2.2.3 Metamorphic Rock
Metamorphism is the process of changing the composition and texture of
rocks (without melting) by heat and pressure.

During metamorphism, new minerals are formed, and mineral grains are
sheared to give a foliated-texture to metamorphic rock. (Marble, granite,
gabbro, and diorite).

Under extreme heat and pressure, metamorphic rocks may melt to form
magma, and the cycle is repeated.

Dr. Lina Jaber

 2.3 Soil-Particle Size
Soils generally are called gravel, sand, silt, or clay, depending on the predominant
size of particles within the soil. To describe soils by their particle size, several
organizations have developed particle-size classifications.

Gravel Sand

Silt Clay
2

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 Sand

• Sand within soil is actually

small particles of weathered
rock

• Most particles can be seen

without a magnifying glass

• Feel coarse and gritty when

rubbed between the thumb and
fingers.
Sand texture

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1
 Silt
• Can be thought of as
fine sand, and it will hold
water better than sand.

• Cannot usually be seen by

the unaided eye

• When moistened, silt feels

smooth but is not sticky.
When dry, it is smooth and
floury
Silt loam texture
(photo by Jim Baker, Virginia Tech)

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 Clay

• Can be seen only with

The aid of an electron microscope

• Feels extremely smooth or

powdery when dry, and becomes
plastic and sticky when wet.

Clay texture
(Photo by Jim Baker, Virginia Tech)

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 Loam
A combination of sand, silt and
clay. and result in different
types of loam soils: sandy loam,
silty loam, clay loam, sandy clay
loam.

Dr. Lina Jaber

Dr. Lina Jaber