Classification of soils and their physical and mechanical properties

To assess the suitability of different types of soils for economic and technical purposes, there is a classification of soils. Guided by it in the conduct of laboratory, field and geological studies, you can objectively characterize any type of soil and reliably determine the appropriateness of its use in one or another quality.

Classification of soils reflects the conditions of their formation, nature of origin, as well as chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties. It goes without saying that the evaluation of each individual variety of soil is carried out according to a number of physical characteristics, criteria and characteristics. A huge variety of soils in its composition, structure and state necessitates the introduction of a large number of different characterizing features, the aggregate of which classifies soils.

All types of soils , according to the nature of their structural connections, can be divided into two broad categories: rock and non-rock. Within these categories, the classification of soils provides for a subdivision into different groups, depending on the origin and nature of the formation. Rocky grounds on this basis are divided into igneous and metamorphic. And non-sedimentary - on sedimentary and artificial origin.

In addition, within each subgroup, a subdivision of soil varieties according to various characteristics is also envisaged. The basis for such a classification can be the physical characteristics of soils, their general chemical or biochemical properties. According to these characteristics, large clastic, silty, clayey, biogenic, sandy and other types of soils are isolated. A more detailed classification is already made depending on the prevailing mineral composition and particle size, the degree of heterogeneity of the soil and its plasticity, and also on a number of other features.

Classification of clay soils is perhaps the most significant for the design, calculation and erection of various structures. Since such soils are most common. The difference of this type of soil from other classification categories is the stability of their mechanical and water-colloidal structural bonds. Among clay soils, a rather large number of varieties are allocated, based on individual indicators of physicochemical and mechanical properties.

The value of such soils for the construction industry and the national economy is that they are practically the final product of geological evolution and have the best resistance to the natural conditions of the region of their occurrence. To such types of soil it is customary to refer also finely dispersed formations having in their composition not less than three percent of clay particles and exhibiting good plastic qualities and swelling under humidification. These properties and are the individual distinctive features of clay soils.

According to their granulometric composition, they are subdivided into loams, clays and sandy loams. In general, their main solid component (mineral particles) is a polydisperse system. On the mineral composition, such soils are extremely diverse. Often their basis is made up of particles of quartz and finely divided minerals, sometimes in the composition of such soils there are various carbonates and rock salt.