The term soil has different definition and important for scientist of different disciplines. For an agriculturist, soil is the topmost layer of the earth responsible for supporting plant life. For a geologist, soil is a thin upper layer of loose sediments within which plant roots are present. For civil engineers, soil means all naturally occurring relatively unconsolidated earth material organic or inorganic in character that lies above the bed rock which is responsible for supporting civil engineering structure.
Soil mechanics involves the study of mechanical behaviour of soil. It is the branch of applied mechanics which deals with the application of mechanics, hydraulics and chemistry. Soil mechanics makes us able to understand soil behaviour and soil problems and become able to design foundation. Satisfactory solution to soil related problems can be proposed after a further study of soil mechanics.
Formation of soil
Soil form from rocks by weathering actions which is either by physical disintegration of chemical decomposition. Soil may be considered as an incidental material obtained from geological cycle which goes on continuously in nature. The cycle consists of erosion, transportation, deposition and upheaval.
Classification of soil
Depending upon the place of deposition, soil may be classified as:
- Residual soil:- Also known as sedimentary soil, it resembles its parent property.
- Transported soil:- Deposited after the transportation by various means, so it lost its parent property.
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