Explain types of soil.

The term 'Soil' in soil engineering is define as an unconsolidated material, composed of solid particles, produced by the disintegration of rocks.

Types of Soil:

On the basis of origin of their constituent (formation of soil), soils can be divided into two large groups:

Residual soils are those that remain at the place of their formation as a result of the weathering of parent rocks. The depth of residual soils depends primarily on climatic conditions and the time of exposure. An important characteristic of residual soil is that the sizes of grains are indefinite.

Transported soils are soils that are found at locations far  from their place of formation. The transporting agencies of such soils are glaciers, wind and water. Transported soils are further classified according to the transporting agency and method of deposition.

a) Alluvial deposit: Soils that have been deposited from suspension in ....

The term 'Soil' in soil engineering is define as an unconsolidated material, composed of solid particles, produced by the disintegration of rocks.

Types of Soil:

On the basis of origin of their constituent (formation of soil), soils can be divided into two large groups:

1) Residual soils

Residual soils are those that remain at the place of their formation as a result of the weathering of parent rocks. The depth of residual soils depends primarily on climatic conditions and the time of exposure. An important characteristic of residual soil is that the sizes of grains are indefinite.

ii) Transported soils

Transported soils are soils that are found at locations far  from their place of formation. The transporting agencies of such soils are glaciers, wind and water. Transported soils are further classified according to the transporting agency and method of deposition.

a) Alluvial deposit: Soils that have been deposited from suspension in running'water.

b) Lacustrine deposit: Soils that have been deposited from suspension in still,  fresh water of lakes.

c) Marine deposit : Soils that have been deposited from suspension in sea water

d) Aeolian deposit (loess) : Soils that have been transported by wind

e) Glacial deposit : Soils that have been transported by ice

Types of Soil as Per Structure

The structure of a soil may be defined as the manner of arrangement of soil particles and electrical forces acting between adjacent particles. The following types of structures are commonly studies;

1. Single grained structure: It is characteristic of coarse grained soils.
2. Honey-comb structure: It is characteristic of fine grained soils, especially silts
3. Flocculent structure: This structure is characteristic of fine grained soils such as clays.
4. Dispersed structure:  Develops in clayey soils which are remoulded.