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06 Weathering and Soil

Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down into soil and sediment. There are two main types of weathering: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces through processes like frost wedging and exfoliation. Chemical weathering alters the composition of rocks through dissolution, oxidation, and other chemical reactions involving acids, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Weathering produces regolith, which includes soil and loose rock fragments. The properties of soil developed through weathering influence decisions in civil engineering projects, as the stability of structures depends on the geotechnical characteristics of the underlying soil. When these properties, such as density and shear strength, are insufficient, it can lead to failures in constructed slopes, foundations

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107 views32 pages

06 Weathering and Soil

Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down into soil and sediment. There are two main types of weathering: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces through processes like frost wedging and exfoliation. Chemical weathering alters the composition of rocks through dissolution, oxidation, and other chemical reactions involving acids, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Weathering produces regolith, which includes soil and loose rock fragments. The properties of soil developed through weathering influence decisions in civil engineering projects, as the stability of structures depends on the geotechnical characteristics of the underlying soil. When these properties, such as density and shear strength, are insufficient, it can lead to failures in constructed slopes, foundations

Uploaded by

Allen Adriano
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© © All Rights Reserved
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WEATHERING,

WEATHERED
ROCKS
and
SOIL
WEATHERING – changes that take place in minerals and rocks at or
near the surface of the earth in response to the atmosphere, water and
plant and animal life.
• Weathering is brought about by marked changes of temperature,
moisture soaking into the ground, ceaseless activity of living things,
etc.
• It plays a vital role in the rock cycle by producing new materials for
new rocks.

Some definitions:
1)Bedrock – the solid rock underlying all parts of the land surface.
2)Regolith – soil and loose fragments that may cover the bedrock
3)Soil – surface accumulation of sand, clay and decayed plant material
(called humus); biologically active medium and a key component in
plant growth

Types of weathering
1)Mechanical weathering – also called disintegration process by
which a rock is broken down into smaller and smaller fragments as the
result of energy developed by physical forces.
1) Mechanical Weathering

Types:

a) Frost action – When water trickles


down into the cracks, crevices and
pores of a rock mass and freezes, its
volume increases about 9%. This
expansion sets up pressures directly
outward from the inside of a rock and
frost wedging results.

A second type of frost action is frost


heaving, which occurs when
moisture absorbed by loose soil or
fragments freezes at shallow levels,
heaving the ground above.
Frost wedging

Frost heaving
b) Exfoliation – process in which curved plates of rock are stripped
from a larger rock mass by physical forces creating exfoliation domes.
Exfoliation is also called “sheeting”.
c) Biological weathering

Plants and animals also


play a role in mechanical
weathering. The roots of
trees and shrubs
growing in rock crevices
sometimes exert
sufficient pressure to
dislodge previously
loosened fragments of
rock. Although the
process is physical, the
pressure is exerted by a
biological process (i.e.,
growing roots).
2. Chemical weathering – also called decomposition; more complex process
involving chemical alteration or changes, transforming the original material into
something different. These changes either involve the transformation of a mineral to
clay or another mineral.

2.1 Dissolution - Carbonic acid is created when carbon dioxide in the


atmosphere dissolves in raindrops. Various organic acids are also released into the
soil as organisms decay, and sulfuric acid is produced by the weathering of pyrite
and other minerals.

2.2 Oxidation – The process of rusting occurs when oxygen combines


with iron to form iron oxide. Oxidation occurs when electrons are lost from one
element during the reaction. In this case, we say that iron was oxidized because it
lost electrons to oxygen to form the reddish-brown iron oxide called hematite
(Fe2O3) or in other cases a yellowish-colored rust called limonite [FeO(OH)].
(c) Earth, an introduction to physical geology 11th ed. – Tarbuck, Lutgens, Tasa
(c) Earth, an introduction to physical geology 11th ed. – Tarbuck, Lutgens, Tasa
2.3 Spheroidal weathering - Many rock outcrops have a rounded
appearance. This occurs because chemical weathering works inward from
exposed surfaces. Because weathering attacks edges from two sides and
corners from three sides, these areas wear down faster than a single flat
surface. Gradually, sharp edges and corners become smooth and rounded.
Eventually an angular block may evolve into a nearly spherical boulder.

(c) Earth, an introduction to physical geology 11th ed. – Tarbuck, Lutgens, Tasa
Factors influencing chemical weathering

1. Particle size – The greater the surface area of a particle, the more vulnerable it is to
chemical attack., because substances can only react chemically with the surface when they come
into contact with each other (provided the substance does not penetrate the surface).

2. Composition of original material – Minerals respond at different rates to weathering


(minerals turn to clay).

3. Climate – rocks respond to different climate conditions

4. Moisture – when moisture is accompanied by warmth, rate of chemical weathering is faster


(e.g. carbonic acid on limestone).

5. Plants and animals – they produce oxygen, carbon dioxide and certain acids that enter into
chemical reactions with earth materials (e.g. production of carbonic acid).
(c) Earth, an introduction to physical geology 11th ed. – Tarbuck, Lutgens, Tasa
Effect of climate: Obelisk in
New York
1973

Obelisk in
Egypt
1880

Question: Why are


the obelisks different
from each other?
SOIL
It is characterized as unconsolidated material brought about by the
weathering of the underlying bedrock. It can be organic or inorganic in nature,
and are usually naturally occurring (Akhtar, September 2012).

According to Akhtar (2012), soil can either be:

1. Residual Soil – bedrock weathered and materials remained at


original location
2. Transported Soil – materials were transported by water, wind,
air, etc. and were deposited at another location.

Soil is the accumulation of materials


that depend on factors such as
climate type, rock type, and mineral
composition (Roy & Bhalla, 2017).

Image source:
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/healthy-soils/why-practice-
soil-conservation/?cn-reloaded=1
The Soil Profile (Horizons)

The idealized soil profile exhibits


varying layers as shown in the
figure.

1. O Horizon – humus soil that


contains decomposing organic
matter such as leaves.

2. A Horizon – the top soil is


the mixture of minerals and
humus suitable for plants and
organisms.

3. E Horizon – eluviated soil


containing resistant minerals,
clay, quartz grains, and/or
sand left behind by leaching.
The Soil Profile (Horizons)

4. B Horizon - subsoil where


rich minerals from overlying
horizons accumulated here
due to leaching.

5. C Horizon – parent material


that is partially altered or
weathered.

6. R Horizon – bedrock is the


parent material exhibiting
non-weathered or unaltered
igneous, sedimentary or
metamorphic rocks.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-geology/chapter/outcome-soil-profiles-and-types/
Some common soil examples based on the following:

A. Climate:

A.1 Pedalfer – at least 65 cm rain per year in regions


with temperate climate
A.2 Pedocal – <65 cm rain per year in drier region with
less vegetation (organic materials)
A.3 Laterite – tropical regions with intense hot and wet
climate that strips the soil of its nutrients
A.4 Paleosol – aka ancient soil with no relation with
current climate of area

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/red-laterite-soil-18426611291.html https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-geology/chapter/outcome-
soil-profiles-and-types/
Some common soil examples based on the following:

B. Particle Size:

https://www.boughton.co.uk/products/topsoils/soil-types/
https://www.boughton.co.uk/products/topsoils/soil-types/
https://www.boughton.co.uk/products/topsoils/soil-types/
https://www.boughton.co.uk/products/topsoils/soil-types/
References

Akhtar, M. (September 2012). The Role of Soil Mechanics in Civil Engineering.


International Journal of Emerging trends in Engineering and Development (Issue 2, Vol.
6), 104-111.

Roy, S., & Bhalla, S. (2017). Role of Geotechnical Properties of Soil on Civil Engineering
Structures. Scientific & Academic Publishing, 7(4): 103-109.
IMPORTANCE OF WEATHERING AND SOIL IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING
The geotechnical properties of soil [1] are significant factors considered in civil
engineering. The feasibility or stability of structures (roads, bridges, buildings, dams
etc.) depend whether the geotechnical properties favor the construction of the said
structures.

Some examples (Roy & Bhalla, 2017):

1. Specific Gravity – higher SG are more suitable for roads and


foundations
2. Density Index – the relative decrease in volume of voids due to
compaction
3. Consistency Limit – the expansive or plasticity behavior of soil that
may affect the stability of building foundations
4. Particle Size Analysis – the shape being spherical or angular of the
soil grains have effects on its shearing strength
5. Compaction – increases the shear strength of the soil while reducing
its compressibility and permeability

[1] GPs of soil will be discussed in detail on your major CE courses


Read more: http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.re.20170704.03.html
Cited from CEGE Thesis
entitled, "Slope Stability
Analysis of Rainfall-
Triggered Landslide in
Itogon, Benguet" by K. G.
O. M. Alcala, J. E. Q.
Angeles, P. K. I. Lim, J.
Buluran and F. J. Tan
(2020)
https://www.capitalgeotechnical.com/geotechnical-failures.html
https://www.capitalgeotechnical.com/geotechnical-failures.html
https://www.capitalgeotechnical.com/geotechnical-failures.html

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