Determining soil plasticity characteristics from physico-chemical properties

G.C. Fanourakis

In the proceedings of: GEO2011: 64th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, 14th Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Pan-American Conference on Teaching and Learning of Geotechnical Engineering

Session: Laboratory Testing

ABSTRACT: Numerous pedological soil classification systems have been developed worldwide. These include an internationally accepted system and various national systems, some of which have been incorporated into databases which include maps. Such information is used primarily for agricultural purposes. Various physical and chemical soil properties are used for classifying soils according to these pedological systems. This paper proposes an approach, based on an extensive research project, which may be used to statistically determine the plasticity characteristics of soils from the physical and chemical properties that are used by pedological classification systems, such as the South African System. These plasticity characteristics may be used to establish the engineering soil classification groups which may, in turn, be used as a means of rapidly determining the general suitability of areas for proposed developments, particularly during the preliminary stages of transportation route locations and township developments, with a resultant saving of time and money.

RÉSUMÉ: Un certain nombre de systèmes de classification pedologique de sols ont été développés depart le monde entier. Ceux-ci incluent celui internationalement accepté ainsi que divers autres nationaux dont certains ont été incorporés dans les bases de données incluant des cartes. Selon ces systèmes pedologiques, différentes propriétés physiques et chimiques sont utilisées pour classifier les sols. Cet article propose une approche qui peut statistiquement être utilisée de façon significative pour déterminer les caractéristiques de plasticité de sols à partir des propriétés physiques et chimiques utilisées par les systèmes de classification pedologique, comme le Système Sud-Africain. Ces caractéristiques de plasticité peuvent être utilisées pour établir les groupes de classification de sol de construction mécanique qui peuvent à leur tour être utilisés comme un moyen de détermination rapide de la conformité générale de régions pour les développement proposés, avec une économie résultante en temps comme en argent.

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Cite this article:
G.C. Fanourakis (2011) Determining soil plasticity characteristics from physico-chemical properties in GEO2011. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{GEO11Paper274,author = G.C. Fanourakis ,title = Determining soil plasticity characteristics from physico-chemical properties,year = 2011}