Characterization of Soils

Abstract

The two classes of properties used to characterize soils are: index properties and design properties. Index properties, used for characterizing soils in general, include grain size distribution, phase relations (void ratio, porosity, water content, degree of saturation, and density), liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, shrinkage limit, liquidity index, and activity index. Design properties influence the design and stability of engineering structures. They include compaction characteristics, consolidation characteristics (amount and rate of settle-ment), and shear strength parameters (cohesion and friction angle). Both index and design properties can be determined by standardized laboratory tests.