Soil Structure and Fabric sets out a method of describing the structure and fabric of soils that proceeds consistently from macroscopic descriptions in the field to descriptions from standard thin sections as viewed with a light microscope. Most of the book is devoted to the description and classification of the microscopic characteristics of soils.

Soil Structure offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of soil structure and its relevance to wide ranging investigations in environmental sciences. Topics covered in Soil Structure include soil structure determination, soil fabric genesis and functions, strength and stress distribution, fabric changes in plastic clays, the effects of organic matter and earthworms, air slaking, and hydraulic conductivity changes. The book also discusses litter decomposition and matter transport, the characterization of pore organization, monitoring via a neutron activated tracer, various influences on growth and phosphorus supply of plants and on water uptake by plants, the effects of acidification, and much more. Improved procedures for measuring and calculating the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of structured soils are also given.

Field work, supplemented by laboratory studies, is a cornerstone for the geological sciences. This volume provides an introduction to general field work through selected topics that illustrate specific techniques and methodologies. One hundred and twenty-three main entries prepared by leading authorities from around the world deal with aspects of exploration surveys, geotechnical engineering, environmental management. field techniques, mapping, prospecting, and mining. Special efforts were made to include topics that consider aspects of environmental geology in particular those subjects that involve field inspections related to, for example, the placement of artificial fills, sediment control in canals and waterways, the geologic effects of cities, or the importance of expansive soils to environmental management and engineering. In addition, some widely ranging topics dealing with legal affairs, geological methodology, the scope and organization of geology, report writing, and other concepts, such as those related to plate tectonics and continental drift, provide a necessary perspective to the arena of field geology.

Knowledge of basic clay microstructure is fundamental to an understanding of the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of fine-grained sediments and rocks. This compilation of fifty-nine peer-reviewed papers examines clay microstructure in detail with comprehensive sections focusing on microstructure signatures, environmental processes, modeling, measurement techniques, and future research recommendations. Many of these topics are discussed in light of geological and engineering applications, such as hazardous waste disposal, construction techniques, and drilling programs. The field of clay microstructure is developing rapidly. The concepts, observations, and principles presented in this book will help stimulate new thought and be a "spring board" for exciting new research.

This open access atlas is an up-to-date visual resource on the features and structures observed in soil thin sections, i.e. soil micromorphology. The book addresses the growing interest in soil micromorphology in the fields of soil science, earth science, archaeology and forensic science, and serves as a reference tool for researchers and students for fast learning and intuitive feature and structure recognition. The book is divided into six parts and contains hundreds of images and photomicrographs. Part one is devoted to the way to sample properly soils, the method of preparation of thin sections, the main tool of soil micromorphology (the microscope), and the approach of soil micromorphology as a scientific method. Part two focuses on the organisation of soil fragments and presents the concept of fabric. Part three addresses the basic components, e.g. rocks, minerals, organic compounds and anthropogenic features. Part four lists all the various types of pedogenic features observed in a soil, i.e. the imprint of pedogenesis. Part five gives interpretations of features associated with the main processes at work in soils and paleosols. Part six presents a view of what the future of soil micromorphology could be. Finally, the last part consists of the index and annexes, including the list of mineral formulas. This atlas will be of interest to researchers, academics, and students, who will find it a convenient tool for the self-teaching of soil micromorphology by using comparative photographs.

Soils are affected by human activities, such as industrial, municipal and agriculture, that often result in soil degradation and loss. In order to prevent soil degradation and to rehabilitate the potentials of degraded soils, reliable soil data are the most important prerequisites for the design of appropriate land-use systems and soil management practices as well as for a better understanding of the environment. The availability of reliable information on soil morphology and other characteristics obtained through examination and description of the soil in the field is essential, and the use of a common language is of prime importance. These guidelines, based on the latest internationally accepted systems and classifications, provide a complete procedure for soil description and for collecting field data. To help beginners, some explanatory notes are included as well as keys based on simple test and observations.--Publisher's description.

This Book Brings Out The Possibilities Of Generalizations Of Behaviour Of Soils And Hence Of Predicting The Required Engineering Properties Without Elaborate Testing. We Recognize That A Single Approach Cannot Be Evolved For All Soil Types And Hence The Necessity For Classifying Soils Into Different Categories And To Use Appropriate Model For Each. First Of All, Based On Mechanism Of Stress Transfer And Interaction Between The Phases, Two Obvious Classes, The Fine Grained And Coarse-Grained Soils Have Been Differentiated.The Discussions Bring Out That Because Of Identical Mode Of Stress Transfer, The Mechanical Behaviour I.E., Compressibility, Shear Strength Relations, Permeability Variations Etc. Can Be Generalized For All Fine Grained Soils, Enabling The Prediction Of Behaviour Of Such Soils With Just The Knowledge Of Certain State And Index Properties. The Sequence Of Discussion Is On The Characterization Of Specific Soil States And Prediction Of Proportion Starting From The Ideal Saturated Uncemented Soils, Both Normally And Over Consolidated, Cemented Saturated Soils And Partly Saturated Soils.In Dealing With The Behaviour Of Coarse Grained Soils, The Importance Of Microfabric And The Difficulties In Possible Generalizations Are Discussed. Perhaps The Unique Feature Of This Book Is That The Division Of The Chapters Is Based On Different Soil States, All The Mechanical Behaviours Being Discussed Under Each Soil State.The Book Will Be Of Interest To Both Academicians And Practising Engineers, Researchers And Postgraduate Students. It Would Serve As A Textbook For Undergraduate Students With Prior Knowledge Of Basic Soil Mechanics.

This book presents a one-stop reference to the empirical correlations used extensively in geotechnical engineering. Empirical correlations play a key role in geotechnical engineering designs and analysis. Laboratory and in situ testing of soils can add significant cost to a civil engineering project. By using appropriate empirical correlations, it is possible to derive many design parameters, thus limiting our reliance on these soil tests. The authors have decades of experience in geotechnical engineering, as professional engineers or researchers. The objective of this book is to present a critical evaluation of a wide range of empirical correlations reported in the literature, along with typical values of soil parameters, in the light of their experience and knowledge. This book will be a one-stop-shop for the practising professionals, geotechnical researchers and academics looking for specific correlations for estimating certain geotechnical parameters. The empirical correlations in the forms of equations and charts and typical values are collated from extensive literature review, and from the authors' database.

Master the Latest Developments in Soil Testing and New Applications of Geotechnical Engineering Geotechnical Engineering: Principles and Practices offers students and practicing engineers a concise, easy-to-understand approach to the principles and methods of soil and geotechnical engineering. This updated classic builds from basic principles of soil mechanics and applies them to new topics, including mechanically stabilized earth (MSE), and intermediate foundations. This Fifth Edition features: Over 400 detailed illustrations and photographs Unique background material on the geological, pedological, and mineralogical aspects of soils with emphasis on clay mineralogy, soil structure, and expansive and collapsible soils. New coverage of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE); intermediate foundations; in-situ soil testing: statistical analysis of data; “FORE,” a scientific method for analyzing settlement; writing the geotechnical report; and the geotechnical engineer as a sleuth and expert witness. Get Quick Access to Every Soil and Geotechnical Engineering Topic • Igneous Rocks as Ultimate Sources for Soils • The Soil Profile • Soil Minerals • Particle Size and Gradation • Soil Fabric and Soil Structure • Soil Density and Unit Weight • Soil Water • Soil Consistency and Engineering Classification • Compaction • Seepage • Stress Distribution • Settlement • Shear Strength • Lateral Stress and Retaining Walls • MSE Walls and Soil Nailing • Slope Stability, Landslides, Embankments, and Earth Dams • Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations • Deep Foundations • Intermediate Foundations • Loads on Pipes • In-Situ Testing • Introduction to Soil Dynamics • The Geotechnical Report