Geotechnics & Applied

Geology

Created By :- J. R. Dharaiya
Geotechnics & Applied
Geology

CH ~ 2
Origin and
Nature of Soil
 #Origin of Soils

SOIL FORMATION IN GEOLOGICAL CYCLE

Soils are formed by weathering of rocks due to mechanical

disintegration or chemical decomposition.

When a rock surface gets exposed to atmosphere for an

appreciable time, it disintegrates or decomposes into small

particles and thus soils are formed.

 #Geological Cycle

Soil is formed by geological cycle.

The geological cycle consists of the following stages :

Erosion (Weathering)

Transportation

Deposition

Upheaval
 #Erosion (Weathering)

Erosion (Weathering)

Physical Weathering Chemical Weathering

Factors responsible are, The process involved are,

~ Temp. changes ~ Hydration

~ Melting of ice ~ Carbonation

~ Spreading of roots of plants ~ Oxidation

~ Abrasion ~ Solution
 #Chemical Weathering

Hydration :~ Water combines with rock in this process and results

in the formation of new chemical reaction.
Carbonation :~ The carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere
reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).
Oxidation :~ It is the reaction of atmospheric oxygen with minerals
in rock. Oxidation causes decomposition of rocks. Oxidation of rock
is more or less similar to the rusting of iron.
Solution :~ Some of the soluble rock mineral are wased out from
the rocks by rainfall or percolating subsurface water, thus resulting
in decomposition of rocks an formation of soils.
 #Transportation of Soils

The agencies responsible for the transportation of soil particles are,

By Water
By Wind
By Ice (Glacier)
By Gravity
Water transported soils :

Smooth running of water is capable of moving a considerable

volume of soil.

Soil may be transported in the form of suspended particles or by

rolling and sliding along the bottom of the stream.
#Water Transported Soils
 #Transportation of Soils

Particles transported by water range in size form boulders to clay.

Soils that are carried and deposited by water are called alluvial soil.

Wind transported soils :

Like water, wind can erode, transport and deposit fine grained soil.

Soils that are carried and deposited by wind are called aeolian soil.

Large sand dunes are formed by winds. Sands dunes are a common

rather occurance in the desert areas of a Africa, Asia and the USA.
#Wind Transported Soils
 #Transportation of Soils

Glacier deposited soils :

Glaciers are deposits of ice formed by the compaction of snow.

As the glaciers grow and move, they carry with them soils varying in

size form fine grained to huge boulders.

Soils get mixed with the ice and are transported far away from their

original position.

Deposits directly made by melting of glaciers are called till.

#Glacier Deposited Soils
 #Transportation of Soils

Gravity deposited soils :

Soils transported and deposited by gravity are called colluvial soil.

Gravity can transport material for a short distance.

Gravity are termed as talus.

They include the material at the base of cliff and landslide deposits.
#Gravity Deposited Soils
#Gravity Deposited Soils
 #Different types of soil

Alluvial soil :~ Deposited by running water and are found in river banks
and river beds. They are generally poorly graded and uniformly graded.

Aeolian soil :~ Deposited by wind, they are mainly coarse grained

particles and poorly graded. They are found in desert region.

Lacustrine soil (lake soil) :~ Soil particles carried by flowing water and
deposited in lakes are called lake soil. These are highly compressible and
have high void ratio but shear strength is less.

Marine soil :~ Soil particles carried by flowing water and deposited in

oceans and seas are called marine soil. Its shear strength is better than
lake soil and have high void ratio.
 #Different types of soil

Glacial soil (Drift) :~ These are the mixture of stone pieces, silts, sands
and clay which are formed glaciers, these are generally well grade soil.

Colluvial soil :~ Soil is transported and deposited by gravity are called

colluvial soil.

Cohesive soil :~ Soils in which the absorbed water and particle attraction
act such that it deforms plastically at different water contents are known
as cohesive soils or clay.

Black cotton soil :~ In its high percentage of the clay mineral. It has very
low bearing capacity. It posses high swelling and shrinkage property.

Loam :~ It is a mixture of sand, clay and silt.

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