Soil mechanics notes pdf | Free Download !!

Soil is defined as an unconsolidated material that comprises of solid particles and voids. The voids may consist of either air only, water only, or both air and water. You will get Soil mechanics notes pdf at the end of this article.

If the voids are totally occupied by water, then soil is said to be saturated soil and if the voids are totally occupied by air, then the soil is said to be dry soil. Soil is used as a construction material in various civil engineering projects, and it supports structural foundation.

Rocks is defined as natural aggregate of mineralogical composition bounded by strong and permanent cohesive force.

Importance of soil mechanics in  civil engineering

  • Soil mechanics is the branch of science that deals with study of physical properties of soil and behaviors of soil masses subjected to various types of forces.
  • Geotechnical engineering is the sub-discipline of civil engineering that includes soil engineering, rock mechanics and geology.   
  • In the field of foundation engineering, It helps to select different types of foundation according to the condition and properties of soil.
  • Soil mechanics gives the theories of earth pressure on retaining structures.
  • Soil mechanics provide the method for checking the stability of slope. If soil surface is not horizontal, there is a component of weight of soil which tends to move it downward and cause instability of slope.
  • It helps to design and construct the underground structures such as tunnels, shafts, conduits, etc because soil mechanics gives the value of force exerted by soil on the structures.
  • Soil mechanics gives the idea about the design of pavements.
  • In the field of construction of earthen dam as it helps in the computation of permeability seepage force being exerted on soil mass.
  • Miscellaneous soil problems related to soil such as soil heave, soil substance, frost heave, shrinkage and swelling of soils etc has been tackled by geotechnical engineering during construction phase. Soil mechanics gives the idea about these problems.

The types of foundation during construction depends on,

  1. Types of soil strata (Seepage, Swelling and bearing capacity of soil)
  2. Magnetude of load
  3. Groundwater condition.

Formation process of Soil

The soils are formed by the disintegration of rocks, either physical disintegration or chemical disintegration.

a. Physical disintegration

    Mechanical disintegration of rocks into small fragments due to different actions of geological agents is called physical disintegration. It occurs due to following physical process.

    b. Temprature change: Due to different coefficients of thermal expansion , expansion and construction of minerals occur due to a change in temperature.

      c. Wedging action of Ice: Water in the pores and minute cracks of rocks gets frozen in very cold climates. The disintegration of rocks takes place due to increase in volume.

      d. Spreading of roots plants: When the roots of trees grow up inside crack and fissures, force acts on rocks and break down.

      e. Abrasion:- Due to abration, the rocks are disintegrated into soils. Abrasion is due to movement of geological agent over surface of rocks.

      f. Chemical Disintegration:- Chemical disintegration/decomposition of rocks due to different chemical process such as hydration, carbocation, oxidation solution, hydrolysis etc. The soil formed do not have properties of parent rocks.

      a) Hydration:– Water combined with rock and result in formation of new compounds.

      b) Carbocation:- Carbondioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid combined with rocks and disintegrate the rock into soil mass.

      c) Oxidation:- Oxygen ions combine with rock minerals. Like formation of rocks.

      d) Solution:- Some of the rocks minerals form a solution with water when they get dissolved in water. Chemical reaction takes place in the solution and soil are fomed.

      e) Hydrolysis:- In this process, water gets dissociated into H+ and OH- ions.

      Types of soil in Soil mechanics notes pdf

      On the basis of formation of soils, it can be devided into residuals soil and transported soils.

      a) Residual soil:- The soil which remains at the place of formation of soils after disintregation of rocks. The characteristics of residual soil is similar to parents rocks characteristics.

      b) Transported Soil:- The soil transported at a far distance from place of formation due o action of different geological agent such as wind, water, glacier etc.

      The characteristics of transported soil is different from parent rock characteristics. Soil deposits after transportation by geological agents.

      Read more in the soil mechanics notes pdf below. You can download it.

      What will you get in Soil mechanics notes pdf?

      Soil mechanics notes pdf | Free Download !!

      Table of Contents for “Soil mechanics notes pdf”

      1. Introduction to Soil Mechanics
        • Definition and Importance
        • Historical Background
        • Applications in Civil Engineering
      2. Soil Formation and Composition
        • Types of Soils
        • Soil Structure and Fabric
        • Mineralogical Composition of Soils
      3. Soil Properties
        • Physical Properties of Soils
        • Index Properties (Consistency, Particle Size Distribution)
        • Soil Classification Systems (Unified, AASHTO)
      4. Permeability of Soils
        • Darcy’s Law
        • Factors Affecting Permeability
        • Laboratory and Field Measurement of Permeability
      5. Seepage Through Soils
        • Flow Nets
        • Seepage Forces and Effective Stress
        • Applications of Seepage Analysis
      6. Compaction of Soils
        • Importance of Soil Compaction
        • Standard and Modified Proctor Tests
        • Factors Affecting Compaction
      7. Consolidation of Soils
        • Primary and Secondary Consolidation
        • Terzaghi’s Theory of Consolidation
        • Time Rate of Consolidation
      8. Shear Strength of Soils
        • Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
        • Laboratory Methods (Direct Shear, Triaxial Tests)
        • Factors Affecting Shear Strength
      9. Stress Distribution in Soils
        • Boussinesq’s and Westergaard’s Theories
        • Pressure Bulbs and Stress Isobars
        • Application to Foundations
      10. Bearing Capacity of Soils
        • Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
        • Factors Affecting Bearing Capacity
        • Design of Shallow and Deep Foundations
      11. Soil Stabilization
        • Methods of Soil Stabilization
        • Mechanical Stabilization
        • Chemical Stabilization
      12. Earth Pressure and Retaining Walls
        • Types of Earth Pressure (Active, Passive)
        • Coulomb’s and Rankine’s Earth Pressure Theories
        • Design of Retaining Structures
      13. Slope Stability
        • Types of Slope Failures
        • Stability Analysis Methods
        • Factor of Safety and Remedial Measures
      14. Geotechnical Investigations
        • Soil Exploration Methods
        • Borehole Logs and Soil Reports
        • Field Tests (SPT, CPT)

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      "Structural Engineer" with over 5 years of experience in estimation, structural design, and surveying.I am passionate about using my skills to create safe and sustainable structures. I am also a keen writer, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with others.

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