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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICS

Definition of Soil
Is layers of loose material extending from
the surface to solid rock.
Soil are formed by the weathering and
disintegration of the rocks themselves.

Soil Mechanics

Soil mechanics is the branch of science that deals

with the study of the physical properties of soil and
the behaviour of soil masses subjected to various
types of forces (Das, 1997).

Application of Soil Mechanics

-

Shallow foundation of structures such as bridges,

buildings, highways and road embankments.
Deep foundations of structures such as piled high rise
buildings, structures on difficult ground conditions,
and excavation.
Ground improvement of difficult soil conditions such as
geotextiles, stabilisation us-ing chemicals, dewatering,
vibrocompaction etc.
Retaining structures and slopes such as reinforced
earth wall, retaining walls, cofferdams etc.

Some Application of Soil

Mechanics

Macau International Airport

Macau International Airport

Rock fall at Bukit Lanjan

on N-S Expressway

Slope failure at Bukit

Antarabangsa
Condominium (15/5/1999)

FAILURE OF GABION WALL9 USED TO RETAIN SOIL

EROSION OF THE BEARING SOIL
Bukit Damansara Condominium (30/8/1999)

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ROAD EMBANKMENT FAILURE

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CUT SLOPE

NORTH SOUTH EXPRESSWAY

848 kilometer

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TERRACING

TURFING
CAST IN-SITU V
SHAPED DRAIN

EXISTING TREE

KL - KARAK HIGHWAY
60 kilometer

CASCADED DRAIN

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COVERED BY CREEPERS

GUNITING

GUNITING & TURFING

GEOSYNTHETIC SHEET

OUTLINE
Solids
liquid

Support
for foundations
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Construction materials
Natural state

Uses of soils in
engineering

Mineral grains
Voids

gas
Constituents
of soils

3 phases of soils

Mass-volume
relationships
Voids ratio, porosity,
densities, moisture content,
degree of saturation, etc

Types of soils
gravels
Sands
Clays
Silts

Particle
density

Definition of
Soil

SOIL
+
MECHANICS

Origin of soil
Geomaterials
(rocks)
Weathering
(physical/
chemical)

disintegration
Residual, transported,
deposition environments

FLUID MECHANICS
SOLID MECHANICS

Basic Physical
Properties

Engineering
Properties

Particle size, shapes,

PSD, plasticity indices

Soil classifications
RBJ 2010

The origin of soils

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All soils originate directly or indirectly from solid

rocks.
The mineral grains that form the solid phase of a
soil aggregate are the products of rock
weathering.

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Formation of soil
Soil are formed through a geological of weathering,
transportation and deposition.
Soil is a combination of particles of rocks, minerals,
and organic matter produced through weathering
processes.

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1. Organic topsoil

The surface of upper layer of soil, usually

contains organic matter.
Usually the top is 5 cm to 20 cm

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2. Residual soil

- Soil that remains at the place of formation is called

residual soil.
- It usually formed from chemical or physical
weathering and eventually covers the parent rock.

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2. ground
Transported
soil
- Soils formed in high
will be eroded and
transported by agents of erosion and later deposited in low
laying areas.
- The soil will be sorted during the process. These soils are
called transported soils

THANK YOU

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