CE 45/L SOIL MECHANICS Chapter 1.

1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1.1

INTRODUCTION
1.1.1. Definition of Terms

Soil Mechanics
- is a discipline that applies the principles of engineering mechanics to soils to
predict the mechanical behavior of soil.
- a science that deals on the properties and behavior of soil as related to
engineering problems.

Rock
- is a natural aggregate of minerals that are connected by strong bonding or
attractive forces.
- is a consolidated material.

Soil
- unconsolidated sediments and deposits of solid particles that have resulted from
the disintegration of rock
- it includes residue of vegetables and animal life like buried trash, garbage and
industrial waste
- it is a particulate material, meaning that a soil mass consists of an accumulation of
individual particles that are bonded together by mechanical or attractive means
though not as strongly with rock
- a three-phase material or system (solids plus liquid plus gas/air)

1.1.2. Fundamental Role of Soil

Earth is a dynamic planet

Changes may be slow or subtle, rapid or instantaneous

rapid changes - natural phenomena or human activities like;
mass movements during earthquakes

effects of war

large construction projects

subtle changes - natural occurrences like subsidence
Subsidence - sinking of land caused by collapse of underground mines or depletion of
groundwater.

Soil influences survival

as a foundation material - soil supports structures and the paths of transportation
as construction material - we build with soil
as agricultural land to provide products used for living, protection and comfort

Nena G. Zara 1
CE 45/L SOIL MECHANICS Chapter 1.1 INTRODUCTION

Five complicating characteristics of natural soil deposits

a. Soil does not posses a linear or unique stress-strain relationship.

b. Soil behavior depends on pressure, time and environment.

c. The soil at essentially every location is different.
d. In nearly all cases the mass of soil involved is underground and cannot be seen in its entirety
but must be evaluated on the basis of small samples obtained from isolated locations.
e. Most soils are very sensitive to disturbance from sampling, and thus the behavior measured
by a laboratory test may be unlike that of the in situ soil.

Guide Questions:

1. What is Soil Mechanics?

2. What are the fundamental roles of soil to engineering problems?
3. List down the characteristics of natural soil deposits

Nena G. Zara 2