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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICS
Definition of Soil
Is layers of loose material extending from
the surface to solid rock.
Soil are formed by the weathering and
disintegration of the rocks themselves.
Soil Mechanics
Soil mechanics is the branch of science that deals
with the study of the physical properties of soil and
the behaviour of soil masses subjected to various
types of forces (Das, 1997).
Application of Soil Mechanics
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Shallow foundation of structures such as bridges,
buildings, highways and road embankments.
Deep foundations of structures such as piled high rise
buildings, structures on difficult ground conditions,
and excavation.
Ground improvement of difficult soil conditions such as
geotextiles, stabilisation us-ing chemicals, dewatering,
vibrocompaction etc.
Retaining structures and slopes such as reinforced
earth wall, retaining walls, cofferdams etc.
Some Application of Soil
Mechanics
Macau International Airport
Macau International Airport
Rock fall at Bukit Lanjan
on N-S Expressway
Slope failure at Bukit
Antarabangsa
Condominium (15/5/1999)
FAILURE OF GABION WALL9 USED TO RETAIN SOIL
EROSION OF THE BEARING SOIL
Bukit Damansara Condominium (30/8/1999)
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ROAD EMBANKMENT FAILURE
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CUT SLOPE
NORTH SOUTH EXPRESSWAY
848 kilometer
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TERRACING
TURFING
CAST IN-SITU V
SHAPED DRAIN
EXISTING TREE
KL - KARAK HIGHWAY
60 kilometer
CASCADED DRAIN
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COVERED BY CREEPERS
GUNITING
GUNITING & TURFING
GEOSYNTHETIC SHEET
OUTLINE
Solids
liquid
Support
for foundations
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Construction materials
Natural state
Uses of soils in
engineering
Mineral grains
Voids
gas
Constituents
of soils
3 phases of soils
Mass-volume
relationships
Voids ratio, porosity,
densities, moisture content,
degree of saturation, etc
Types of soils
gravels
Sands
Clays
Silts
Particle
density
Definition of
Soil
SOIL
+
MECHANICS
Origin of soil
Geomaterials
(rocks)
Weathering
(physical/
chemical)
disintegration
Residual, transported,
deposition environments
FLUID MECHANICS
SOLID MECHANICS
Basic Physical
Properties
Engineering
Properties
Particle size, shapes,
PSD, plasticity indices
Soil classifications
RBJ 2010
The origin of soils
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All soils originate directly or indirectly from solid
rocks.
The mineral grains that form the solid phase of a
soil aggregate are the products of rock
weathering.
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Formation of soil
Soil are formed through a geological of weathering,
transportation and deposition.
Soil is a combination of particles of rocks, minerals,
and organic matter produced through weathering
processes.
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1. Organic topsoil
The surface of upper layer of soil, usually
contains organic matter.
Usually the top is 5 cm to 20 cm
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2. Residual soil
- Soil that remains at the place of formation is called
residual soil.
- It usually formed from chemical or physical
weathering and eventually covers the parent rock.
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2. ground
Transported
soil
- Soils formed in high
will be eroded and
transported by agents of erosion and later deposited in low
laying areas.
- The soil will be sorted during the process. These soils are
called transported soils
THANK YOU
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