Soil Mechanics Lecture 1:

Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering

Prepared by: Agrimano, JPP.

Soil Mechanics

The branch of science that deals with the study

of the physical properties of soil and the behavior of
the masses subjected to various types of forces.
Soil Engineering

The application of the participles of soil

mechanics to practical problems.
Geotechnical Engineering

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.
Soil & Soil Aggregates

Soil refers to the unconsolidated mineral

materials at or near the earth’s surface which consist of
air, moisture and other organic substance which may be
incorporated therein and which have resulted from
natural process such as decay, weathering and other
chemical reaction
Soil Properties
a. Physical properties
b. Gradation and structures
c. Soil-water relationship
d. Atterberg’s Limit
e. Soil Compaction
f. Permeability
g. Mechanical properties
h. Bearing Capacity
i. Compressibility
j. Shear Strength
Soil Composition
a. Air
b. Minerals
c. Water
d. Organic Matter

*The relative proportion of these

constituents greatly influence the
behavior and productivity of soils
Mineral Constituents
a. Various mineral particles (particles of
weathered parent material)
b. Constituents:
a. Sand
b. Silt
c. Clay

*Different mixtures of these result in various

soil textures
Organic Matters

• Wide range of carbonaceous substances including living

organisms, remains of organisms and compounds produced
by current and past metabolism in the soil

• Organic matter is list to the soil over time as CO2 which is

produced by microbial respiration
3 Classes of Soil
1. Geological Class
a. Sedimentary or transported
b. Residual
c. Fill
2. Pedological Class
3. Engineering Class
3 Classifications of Engineering Class Soil

1. Granular or coarse grained soil

a. good load bearing capacity
b. permeable and can be easily drained
c. comparatively incompressible under static load
d. not subjected to change in strength and volume due
to variation to water content
3 Classifications of Engineering Class Soil

2. Fine-grained soil
a. poor load bearing capacity
b. impermeable
c. compressible under sustained load
d. subjected to change in strength and volume due to
variation to water content
3 Classifications of Engineering Class Soil

3. Organic Soil
a. inferior than fine-grained soil as to the properties
stated