Soil Mechanics in Civil Engineering

Soil is a material composed of a natural accumulation of mineral particles, whose sizes range between specified limits, according to a conventional classification system. It is the result of the chemical-physical alteration of rocks due to weathering.

Soil particles are mainly composed of silica minerals, which are more resistant to chemical-physical attack by weathering than other minerals. They can be completely uncemented or weakly cemented, depending on the degree of alteration of the parent rock, whereas rocks are defined as materials with strong chemical bonds.

Quartz (SiO2) is a stable mineral primarily composed of rounded or prismatic particles of the order of a millimeter or less. It is almost insoluble in water, relatively acid proof, and the main mineral of silica sands. It is significant in soil composition due to its stability and resistance to chemical-physical attack by weathering.

<p>The deformation and failure of rock masses are governed by the mechanical behavior of the pre-existing geometric discontinuities, such as faults or joints.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rocks are the primary element that constitutes the Earth’s crust.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>chemical bonds</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>cemented</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>water</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>silica</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>weathering</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>bonds</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>water</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>classification</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>rock</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>faults</p> Signup and view all the answers