SOIL

Pedology – is the science of soils.

SOIL – is defined as the accumulation of unconsolidated sediments and
deposits of solid particles as a result from the disintegration of rocks. Most
of he the non-organic materials that are identified as soil originated from
rocks as the parent material. Soil containshumus and organic acids resulting
from decomposition of vegetation.

Rocks - defined as the natural aggregate of a mineral that are connected by

strong bonding of attractive forces consdered as consolidated materials
Classification of rocks
1. Igneous rock 3. Metamorphic rock
2. Sedimentary rocks
 Igneous is the result from the cooling and hardening of
molten rock called magma which has originated from deep
within the earth. The rapid cooling of molten lava which was
blowing up by volcanoes solidify into small crystal and possed a
fine interlocking texture.
The molten lava that cooled rapidly at the surface of the earth
is called volacanic rock types and include basalts, rhyolites and
andesites. The molten rock that was trapped deep below the
surface of the earth cooled slowly and mineral component
formed in a large interlocking crystal and coarsed textured roxks
classified as plutonic types of which granite is the most common
 Sedimentary rock – are formed from accumulated
deposits of soil particles or remains of certain
organisms that have hardened by pressure or
cemented by minerals. Includes limestone, dolostone,
shale are ormed from from deposit of clay and silt
particles, sandstone is quartz cemented together with
mostly selica and sometime calcium carbonate of
iron compounds , conglomerate and breccia are
semilar to sandstone.
 Metamophic rocks- are rocks resulting from
memophism due to changes in temperature, pressure
and plastic flow, changing the original rock structure
and mineral composition of the rock. Under this
condition limestone changed to marble , sandstone
to quartzite, shale to phylite
 Categories of Soil

1. Residual or sedimentary soil – is formeed from the

weathering of rocks or accumulation of organic materials
and remain at the location of thier oriin. The weathering
process maybe attributed to mechanical( physical
disintegration due to effect of wind, rain, running water or
tecntonic forces like earthquake), chemical or solution
weathering ( is decomposition or rock due to chemical
reactions that occurs as a result of wxposure to
atmosphere, temperature changes , reaction with
waternor other naterials. Climate, topography, drainage
and vegetative cover has great influence on the
chemical or solution weathering process)
 Categories of Soil

2. Transported soil - are those materials transported

from their place of origin. Transportation may result
due to the effects of gravity, wind, water , glaciers, or
human activitty.
Types of Soil Tests for Road Construction
Types of soil tests for road construction project requires the site
investigation to be carried out to understand the soil profile. For road
construction works, the properties of soil at subgrade level are required.
The common soil test for road construction includes classification of soil,
particle size distribution, moisture content determination, specific gravity,
liquid limit and plastic limit tests. Moisture content, particle size and
specific gravity tests on soils are used for the calculation of soil
properties such as degree of saturation.
The soil tests can be laboratory tests or in-situ tests. The laboratory tests
should be carried out on every sample taken for determination of particle
size and moisture content.
Types of Soil Tests for Road Construction
Following are the various types of soil tests for pavement construction:
In-situ Moisture Content
The moisture content of soil test is carried out in laboratory.
It is expressed as percentage of water in soil to its dry mass.
The moisture content in a soil signifies the various properties
of soil such as compaction, permeability, particle size etc.

Specific gravity of soil

Specific gravity of soil is the ratio of the weight of soil in air
of a given volume at a standard temperature to the weight
in air of an equal volume of distilled water at the same
stated temperature. This test is also carried out in
laboratory.
Types of Soil Tests for Road Construction
Particle Size Distribution (By wet sieving & pipette method)
This test determines the particle size distribution of soil from the coarse sand size
down to fine clay size. The data from particle size distribution test is used to
determine suitability of soil for road construction, air field etc. This test can also be
used to predict soil water movement although permeability tests are more
generally used.
Compaction test – Proctor test
This soil compaction test also called as Proctor test is used for the determination of
the mass of dry soil per cubic metre when the soil is compacted over a range of
moisture contents, giving the maximum dry density at optimum moisture content.
Thus this test provides the compaction characteristics of different soils with change
in moisture content. This is achieved by densification of soil by reducing the air
voids.
The degree of is measured in terms of its dry density of soil. The dry density is
maximum at the optimum water content.
Types of Soil Tests for Road Construction
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test
California Bearing Ratio test is conducted in laboratory. This tests
provides the load penetration resistance of soil. CBR value is
obtained by measuring the relationship between force and
penetration when a cylindrical plunger is made to penetrate the soil
at a standard rate.
The CBR test is used for the evaluation of subgrade strength of roads
and pavements. The CBR value obtained by this test is used with the
empirical curves to determine the thickness of pavement and its
component layers. This is the most widely used method for the design
of flexible pavement.
Even though provision of subsoil drains reduces the effect of water on
subgrade, fully soaked CBR tests shall be considered to be
appropriate for road construction projects.
Following points should be taken care of while soil testing
for road construction:

Sampling and Testing: Sampling of soil for tests in laboratory or in-situ is to be

carefully done by experienced engineer. The requirement for the various mass
/ volume of soil at different points of a road project shall be followed as per the
specification and standard codes.

Test Data Logging: Logging of all the soil sample and test data shall be done by
trained staff who has the knowledge of soil properties and tests results.

Testing Frequency: The testing frequency of soil shall be as per input from
Engineer. The decision on the testing frequency is usually taken on the basis of
results obtained from the previous tests.