Terms and Definitions in Soil Engineering Various definitions of terms used in Geotechnical Soil Engineering are presented. Volumetric Relationships of Soil 1. Void Ratio Void ratio is the volume of voids to the volume of solids. It is denoted by ‘e’. e=Vv/Vs It is expressed as a decimal. 2. Porosity It is defined as the ratio of volume
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The sand replacement test method is used to determine in situ dry density of soil. The procedures, materials, equipment, and specifications of this test is based on the Indian Standard (IS 2720 part 28). This test is of significant importance and it has been widely used in various construction project
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The whole bearing system (WBS) and Quadrantal Bearing system (QBS) are two notations of bearings that are used in compass surveying. The WCB system can be converted to QBS or vice versa by a simple calculation. Different bearings used in surveying and designation of bearings (WCB and QB system) are briefly
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Earthquake resistant building design guidelines are provided by set of Indian Standard codes (IS Codes). After observing Indian earthquakes for several years Bureau of Indian Standard has divided the country into five zones depending upon the severity of earthquake. The list of Indian codes for earthquake design of structures include
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What is Compaction of Soil? Compaction of soil is the pressing of soil particles close to each other by mechanical methods. Air during compaction of soil is expelled from the void space in the soil mass and therefore the mass density is increased. Compaction of soil is done to improve the engineering properties
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When a soil mass is subjected to a compressive force, its volume decreases. The property of the soil due to which a decrease in volume occurs under compressive force is known as the compressibility of soil. The compression of soil can occur due to Compression of solid particles and water
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Ground shaking is the consequence of movement of seismic waves, which ranges from quite gentle in small earthquakes to considerably violent in large earthquakes, through the ground. Ground shaking move buildings from side to side and up and down. The shaking that any structure experiences depends on how far it
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Linear measurements in surveying can be performed by mainly three methods namely direct method, electromagnetic methods and optical methods. The direct method is the common method that employs a chain, tape or any other instrument to measure the linear distance. Various methods coming under the direct method of linear measurement are:
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The effective stress principle in soil engineering is one of the important theories put forward by Karl Terzaghi in the year 1936. It is the difference between total stress and pore water pressure. More features and determination of effective stress in the soil are explained briefly below. Effective Stress Principle The effective
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The suction in soil mass can be measured mainly by three methods namely Tensiometer method, Suction Plate method and Centrifuge Method. Each method is briefly explained below. 1. Tensiometer Method The figure-1 below shows the arrangement of tensiometer to determine the suction present in the soil sample. Fig.1. Tensiometer; Image Courtesy: Soil Management
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