What is A Gabion? A gabion is a netted (wire mesh) box (Fig-1) filled with aggregate material – compatible with the size of the net mesh – serving as gravity units forming retaining structures. It provides a means to contain such aggregates of small and diverse sizes which cannot be used to construct gravity retaining … Read more
Measurement of Soil Compaction in the Field It is necessary in many instances to know the wet/dry densities of the soil in the field, especially before planning activities such as compaction. The same becomes particularly important in instances such as the construction of earth dams, embankments etc. to control the field compaction, that is, to … Read more
Moisture content – Dry Density Relationship At a given input of compaction energy there exists a relationship between moisture content or water content and dry density, which is of the form shown in Fig-1. On the dry side, the added water creates a coating of a thin film of water on the surface of the … Read more
Piled Raft Foundation Between the geotechnical design parameters of bearing capacity and settlement, which are independent, if the design just satisfies bearing capacity, settlement will be over satisfied (i.e. settlement less than permissible), and vice versa, if the design satisfies settlement, bearing capacity will be over satisfied (i.e. factor of safety against bearing capacity failure … Read more
Dynamic Compaction of Soil The method can be used to improve all types of non-cohesive soils, mixed soil or those with limited amounts of cohesive material, as well as landfill sites such as waste dumps or spoil tips. There are also many instances of refuse and industrial waste dumps which have been successfully treated by … Read more
Leaning Tower of Pisa The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy is perhaps the most famous tower structure in the world, thanks to its lean (nearly 5.50 out of plumb – Fig-1) which makes it a great international tourist attraction. When the lean started becoming progressive and excessive, threatening its very survival, a geotechnical engineering … Read more
What is Drilling Mud? Drilling mud is thin slurry of clay in water. Special clay called bentonite, characterized by its ‘thixotropic (gelling) property’, is used for this purpose. How such a humble material has all but revolutionized the practice of modern geotechnical engineering is little known to professional geotechnical engineers themselves, not to speak of … Read more
In-situ Tests on Soil In situ testing is a division of field testing corresponding to the cases where the ground is tested in-place by instruments that are inserted in or penetrate the ground. In-situ tests are normally associated with tests for which a borehole either is unnecessary or is only an incidental part of the … Read more
Presentation of Geotechnical Investigation Report Upon completion of the geotechnical investigation and analysis, the information and findings must be compiled in a standard report format. The report serves as the permanent record of all geotechnical data known to be pertinent to the project and is referred to throughout the design, construction, and service life of … Read more
Determination of Organic Matter in Soil Purpose: This test is performed to determine the organic content of soils. The organic content is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the mass of organic matter in a given mass of soil to the mass of the dry soil solids. Standard Reference: ASTM D 2974 – Standard … Read more
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