Soils in Construction 6th Edition from Don C Warrington and W.L. Schroeder.

Review the following:

Read Chapter 1-5

Review the following links

http://freevideolectures.com/Course/87/Engineering-Geology/18

http://www.slideshare.net/premsai05/soil-compaction-and-effects-on-soil-properties 

Answer all 4 Discussion Questions

1.     Solve Problem 2 at the end of Chapter 4 and compare results with other classmates?

2.     How does a consistent soil classification system help professionals in the industry?

3.     What are the better natural soils to build on and why?

4.     What are the best soils to use if you have to compact soils and why?

Complete Assignment

Perform and submit problems 3 and 4 at the end of Chapter 4 and Problem 1 at the end of Chapter 5.

Respond to others discussion questions

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1.     Solve Problem 2 at the end of Chapter 4 and compare results with other classmates?

SM

Respond:

2.     How does a consistent soil classification system help professionals in the industry?

Consistency classification is liquid limit, plastic limit and shrinkage limit.  These are a basic measure of the critical water contents of fine-grained soil.  These tests are widely used in the preliminary stages of designing any structure to ensure whether soil having ku enough shear strength and not too much change in volume as it expands and shrinks with different moisture contents.

Respond :

3.     What are the better natural soils to build on and why?  There are mainly 3 types of natural soil deposits.  These are sand, silt and clay.  Among these, clay is the best soil to build on because its textures are more stable than sand because they have better structures.  However, a mix of particle sizes (and pore sizes) is best for engineering.

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4.     What are the best soils to use if you have to compact soils and why?  The soils easiest to compact are soils with spherical and smooth particles.  The ability to compact a soil depends in part on the particle distribution. Soils with almost the same particle size, like fine sand, are called single-fraction soils. Soils with several particle sizes are called mixed-fraction soils. Single-fraction soils are difficult to compact as there are no or very small amounts of fine particles that can fill up the voids. Mixed-fraction soils can be compacted well as there are smaller particles which, due to the vibratory effect, move into the voids between the larger particles. A high density is obtained and, consequently, a higher bearing capacity.

Respond:

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2.     How does a consistent soil classification system help professionals in the industry? A consistent soil refers to the texture and firmness of a soil.  It is described by terms such as hard, stiff and soft, the lab that test that describes consistency is the Atterberg Limits. When this test is done it is means that the soil contains a high percentage of fines and is affected more by water than one with a low percentage of fines.  It helps professionals determine its moisture content, in which the soil has a big effect on how well the soil will work as embankment material or under a pavement.

Respond :

3.     What are the better natural soils to build on and why?

The three natural soils to build on are sand, silt and clay.  Clay soil is the better one for construction as it’s texture is more stable than sand.

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4.     What are the best soils to use if you have to compact soils and why?

Cohesive soils are best as the soil particles adhere to each other. Cohesive soils are those such as clay, mud or silt.   On the contrary, in non-cohesive soils, such as gravel or sand, these particles are loose next to each other.

Respond:

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2. How does a consistent soil classification system help professionals in the industry?

Soil classification systems are establish to help predict soil behavior and come up with the quality that will fit in a specific project. In construction industry it is important to have a thorough investigation/test of soil to use prior to start a project to minimize error/problem.

Respond:

3. What are the better natural soils to build on and why?

The better natural soils to build is the combination of sand, silt, and clay. Becaue of its evenly balanced properties that is great to support foundation.

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4. What are the best soils to use if you have to compact soils and why?

Cohesive soil and coarse grained soil (cohesionless) are suitable for compaction. Cohesive soil is defined as sticky soil or clay soil, it contains very fine particles which has the ability to hold together without the need of external pressure whereas coarse grained soil are termed cohesionless its the opposite of cohesive soil but mutual friction of the particles are important in design and construction.

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