University of La Salette, Incorporated

College of Engineering and Architecture

PBSCE 020 – Geotechnical Engineering

Module 1 – Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering and Properties of Soil

Pre-Assessment
Answer what is being asked in each question in a 1/2 sheet of paper.
1. What is Geotechnical Engineering in your own words?
2. What is Soil in Civil Engineering?
a. found in earth’s crust
b. where plants grow
c. uncemented aggregate
d. all of the above
3. Give 3 practical reason of studying Soil in Engineering.
4. Give 3 common properties of soil.

Objectives
At the end of this unit, the students should be able to:
 Understand the concepts of Geotechnical Engineering;
 Differentiate soil and its types;
 Differentiate rock and its types;
 Describe weathering and the corresponding processes involved.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

For engineering purposes, soil is defined as the uncemented aggregate of mineral grains and
decayed organic matter (solid particles) with liquid and gas in the empty spaces between the solid
particles. Soil is used as a construction material in various civil engineering projects, and it supports
structural foundations. Thus, civil engineers must study the properties of soil, such as its origin, grain-
size distribution, and ability to drain water, compressibility, shear strength, and load-bearing capacity.
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.

Soil engineering is the application of the principles of soil mechanics to practical problems.
Geotechnical engineering is the sub discipline of civil engineering that involves natural materials found
close to the surface of the earth. It includes the application of the principles of soil mechanics and rock
mechanics to the design of foundations, retaining structures, and earth structures.

It is important to emphasize the difference between soil mechanics and foundation engineering
in the classroom. Soil mechanics is the branch of engineering that involves the study of the properties of
soils and their behaviour under stresses and strains under idealized conditions. Foundation engineering
applies the principles of soil mechanics and geology in the plan, design, and construction of foundations
for buildings, highways, dams, and so forth. Approximations and deviations from idealized conditions of
soil mechanics become necessary for proper foundation design because, in most cases, natural soil
deposits are not homogeneous. However, if a structure is to function properly, these approximations
can be made only by an engineer who has a good background in soil mechanics.

Geotechnical Engineering is the study of the behaviour of soils under the influence of loading
forces and soil-water interactions. This knowledge is applied to the design of foundations, retaining
walls, earth dams, clay liners, and geosynthetics for waste containment.

Prepared by: Engr. Richard V. Avellanoza, CE, SO, RMP

 University of La Salette, Incorporated
College of Engineering and Architecture
PBSCE 020 – Geotechnical Engineering

PROPERTIES OF SOIL

Symbols and Notations

e = void ratio
n = porosity
Dr = relative density
G = specific gravity of solids (usually in the range 2.67 0.05)
GI = group index
LI = liquidity index
LL = liquid limit
MC = moisture content
H = plasticity index
Pl = plastic limit
S = degree of saturation
V = volume of soil mass
Va = volume of air
Vs = volume of solids
Vw = volume of water
W = total weight of soil
Ws = weight of solids
Ww = weight of water
dry = dry unit weight

m= unit weight of soil mass

s = unit weight of solids

sat = saturated unit weight

w = unit weight of water

Figure shows an element of soil of volume V and weight W as it would exist in a natural state. To
develop the weight–volume relationships, we must separate the three phases (that is, solid, water, and
air). Thus, the total volume of a given soil sample can be expressed as:

𝑽 = 𝑽𝒔 + 𝑽𝒗 = 𝑽𝒔 + 𝑽𝒘 + 𝑽𝒂

Assuming that the weight of the air is negligible, we can express the total weight of the sample as:

𝑾 = 𝑾𝒔 + 𝑾𝒘

The volume relationships commonly used for the three phases in a soil element are void ratio, porosity,
and degree of saturation.

Void ratio (e) is defined as the ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of solids. Thus,

𝒆 = 𝑽𝒗/𝑽𝒔

Porosity (n) is defined as the ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume, or

𝒏 = 𝑽𝒗/𝑽

Degree of saturation (S) is defined as the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of voids, or

𝑺 = 𝑽𝒘/𝑽𝒗

Prepared by: Engr. Richard V. Avellanoza, CE, SO, RMP

 University of La Salette, Incorporated
College of Engineering and Architecture
PBSCE 020 – Geotechnical Engineering

The common terms used for weight relationships are moisture content and unit weight. Moisture
content (w) is also referred to as water content and is defined as the ratio of the weight of water to the
weight of solids in a given volume of soil:

𝒘 = 𝑾𝒘/𝑾𝒔

Unit weight (𝜸) is the weight of soil per unit volume. Thus,

𝜸 = 𝑾/𝑽

Soil engineers sometimes refer to the unit weight defined by 𝜸=𝑾/𝑽 as the moist unit weight. Often, to
solve earthwork problems, one must know the weight per unit volume of soil, excluding water. This
weight is referred to as the dry unit weight, 𝜸𝒅. Thus,

𝜸𝒅 = 𝑾𝒔/𝑽

The relationship of unit weight, dry unit weight, and moisture content can be given as

𝜸𝒅 = 𝜸/(𝟏+𝒘)

The weights of soil solids and water can be given as:

𝑾s =𝑮𝒔 𝜸𝒘
𝑾𝒘 = 𝒘 𝑾𝒔 = 𝒘 𝑮𝒔 𝜸w

Using the definitions of unit weight and dry unit weight, we can say:

𝜸 = ((𝟏+𝒘)𝑮𝒔 𝜸𝒘)/(𝟏+𝒆)
𝜸𝒅 = (𝑮𝒔 𝜸𝒘)/(𝟏+𝒆)

The degree of saturation:

𝑺𝒆 = 𝒘𝑮𝒔

If the soil sample is saturated, the void spaces are completely filled with water - the relationship for
saturated unit weight can be:

𝜸𝒔𝒂𝒕 = ((𝑮𝒔+𝒆)𝜸𝒘)/(𝟏+𝒆)

Effective/Bulk Unit weight:

𝜸𝑩 = ((𝑮𝒔−𝟏)𝜸𝒘)/(𝟏+𝒆)

Specific Gravity of Some Minerals

Prepared by: Engr. Richard V. Avellanoza, CE, SO, RMP

 University of La Salette, Incorporated
College of Engineering and Architecture
PBSCE 020 – Geotechnical Engineering

Relative Density of Granular Soils

The relative density, Dr, expresses the state of compactness of a natural granular soil

or

Where:
emax = void ratio of the soil in loosest state
emin = void ratio of the soil in densest state
e = void ratio of the soil deposit (in-situ state)
dry max = dry unit weight in densest state

dry min = dry unit weight in loosest state

dry = dry unit weight (in-situ state)

Designation of Granular Soil

Designation Dr (%)
Very Loose 0-15
Loose 15-35
Medium Dense 35-70
Dense 70-85
Very Dense 85-100

ATTERBERG LIMITS

Consistency is the term used to describe the degree of firmness (e.g., soft, medium, firm, or
hard) of a soil. The consistency of a cohesive soil is greatly affected by the water content of the soil. A
gradual increase of the water content may transform a dry soil from solid state to a semisolid state, to a
plastic state, and, after further moisture increase, into a liquid state. The water content at the
corresponding junction points of these states are known as the shrinkage limit, the plastic limit, and, the
liquid limit, respectively.

Albert Mauritz Atterberg limits, then, are water contents at critical stages of soil behavior. They,
together with natural water content, are essential descriptions of fine-grained soils.

Prepared by: Engr. Richard V. Avellanoza, CE, SO, RMP

 University of La Salette, Incorporated
College of Engineering and Architecture
PBSCE 020 – Geotechnical Engineering

Liquid Limit, (LL)

Liquid limit is the water content of soil in which soil grains are separated by water just enough for the
soil mass to loss shear strength. A little higher than this water content will tend the soil to flow like
viscous fluid while a little lower will cause the soil to behave as plastic.

Plastic Limit, (PL)

Plastic limit is the water content in which the soil will pass from plastic state to semi-solid state. Soil can
no longer behave as plastic; any change in shape will cause the soil to show visible cracks.

Shrinkage Limit, (SL)

Shrinkage limit is the water content in which the soil no longer changes in volume regardless of further
drying. It is the lowest water content possible for the soil to be completely saturated. Any lower than
the shrinkage limit will cause the water to be partially saturated. This is the point in which soil will pass
from semi-solid to solid state.

SOIL INDICES

Index Definition Correlation

Plasticity PI = LL - PL Strength, compressibility, compactibility…
Liquidity LI = (MC - PL)/PI Compressibility and stress state
Shrinkage SI = PL - SL Shrinkage potential
Activity of Clay Ac = PI/ Swell Potential, and so forth

Where = percent of soil finer than 0.002 mm (clay size)

Activity Classification
Ac < 0.7 lnactive clay
0.7 < Ac < 1.2 Normal clay
Ac > 1.2 Active clay

Description of Soil Based on LIQUIDITY INDEX

LI < 0 Semisolid state - high strength,

brittle (sudden) fracture is expected
Plastic state - intermediate strength,
0 < LI < 1 soil
deforms like a plastic material
LI > 1 Liquid state - low strength, soil
deforms like a viscous fluid

Description of Soil Based on PLASTICITY INDEX

PI Description
0 Nonplastic
1-5 Slightly plastic
5-10 Low plasticity
10-20 Medium plasticity
20-40 High plasticity
>40 Very high plasticity

Prepared by: Engr. Richard V. Avellanoza, CE, SO, RMP

 University of La Salette, Incorporated
College of Engineering and Architecture
PBSCE 020 – Geotechnical Engineering

PRACTICE PROBLEMS

Problem 1. A sample of saturated soil weighs 588 N and has a volume of 0.03 m3. If the voids ratio of
the soil is 0.75, determine the specific gravity of the solids. [ans. 2.75]

Problem 2. A clay sample has unit weight of 21.1 kN/m3 at moisture content of 9.8%. When completely
saturated with water, its unit weight is 22.58 kN/m3. Determine the porosity of the soil. [ans. 34.3%]

Problem 3. A specimen of moist clay has a mass of 183.4 grams. After oven drying, the mass is reduced
to 157.7 grams. What is the moisture content of the sample? [ans. 16.3%]

Problem 4. A sample of moist clay is found to have moisture content of 400% and degree of saturation
of 85%. The specific gravity of the solids is 2.76. Determine the voids ratio of this soil. [ans. 12.99]

Problem 5. A sample of moist soil has water content of 18% and moist unit weight of 17.3 kN/m3. The
specific gravity of solids is 2.65. Compute the degree of saturation of the soil. [ans. 61.7%]

Problem 6. Saturated silty clay encountered in a deep excavation is found to have a water content of
28%. Determine unit weight of the clay in kN/m3. Assume G = 2.7. [ans. 19.31 kN/m3]

References:

https://www.mcgill.ca/civil/undergrad/areas/geotechnical#:~:text=Description%20%7C%20Recommend
ed%20courses-,Description,and%20geosynthetics%20for%20waste%20containment.

(2005) Braja M. Das – Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering 3rd Edition

https://mathalino.com/reviewer/geotechnical-engineering/consistency-soil-atterberg-limits

Prepared by: Engr. Richard V. Avellanoza, CE, SO, RMP