Effect of salt content.

The effect of salts present in the natural soil was investigated too for research related matters by
comparing the physical properties of the natural and washed samples. Washed samples were prepared
by mixing moist soil with large quantities of distilled water including mechanical stirrer placed in the
buckets.

The supernatant liquid, after allowing sufficient time for sedimentation, was siphoned out without
permitting any loss of fines from the soil. The process was repeated until the supernatant liquid was free
of salts. Preparation of such washed samples took about three months according to a research related
letirature.

Shear stregnht.

Only a handful of limited tests were carried in order to obtain the shear strength of the marine clay soil
by conducting both unconsolidated undrained tests and laboratory vane shear tests. The undisturbed
samples as one would expect, showed greater cohesive strength than that of the remoulded samples.
Since the tests carried out were of uncosolidated undrained type, we can exepct a value of nearly zero
of angle of shearing resistance. However, a low value of the angle of shearing resistance was obtained
for both undisturbed and remoulded samples with the latter giving marginally higher values.

The higher value of angle of shearing resistance obtained for remoulded sample has been attributed to
the better homogeneity that exists in these samples. Further, part of the cohesion component might
have reflected in the form of additional frictional component. The separation of shear strength in terms
of cohesion and angle of internal friction is to some extent arbitrary. It may be pointed out here that
because of the softness of the samples, it was not easy to prepare triaxial specimens

RRL

It was also considered to include the general properties of soil for references of such laboratory works
including activities to be followed, this may include, Cohesion, which is the internal molecular attraction
which resists the rupture or shear of a material. Angle of internal friction, The resistance in sliding of
grain particles of a soil mass depends upon the angle of internal friction. Capillary, defined as the ability
of soil to transmit moisture in all directions regardless of any gravitational force. Permeability, the rate
at which water flows through it under action of hydraulic gradient. Soil pasticity, which is the property
that enables the moist soil to change shape when some force is applied over it and to retain this shape
even after the removal of the force from it. Elasticity, defined as, A soil is said to be elastic when it
suffers a reduction in volume (or is changed shape & bulk) while the load is applied, but recovers its
initial volume immediately when the load is removed. Compressibility, defined as, Gravels, sands & silts
are incompressible, i.e. if a moist mass of those materials is subjected to compression; they suffer no
significant volume change. Unaxial compressive strength, which is the capacity of the soil to withstand
axially directed compressive forces. Moisture content, defined as the ratio of the weight of water in a
sample to the weight of solids. Atterberg limits, and consistency limit of the soil, including, plastic and
liquid limit with plasticity index. Specific Gravity of soil, is defined as the ratio of the unit weight of a
given material to the unit weight of water. Soil strength, Soils consist of individual particles that can slide
and roll relative to one another. Shear strength of a soil is equal to the maximum value of shear stress
that can be mobilized within a soil mass without failure taking place. Consolidation test, The amount of
settlement induced by the placement of load bearing elements on the ground surface or the
construction of earthen embankments will affect the performance of the structure. Shirnkage and
swelling, Certain soil types (highly plastic) have a large potential for volumetric change depending on the
moisture content of the soil. These soils can shrink with decreasing moisture or swell with increasing
moisture. Bulk density, which are used to compute shrink-swell potential, available water capacity, total
pore space, and other soil properties. Erodability whech refers to the ease with which soil materials can
be removed by wind or water. Total stress which is defined as, When a load is applied to soil, it is carried
by the solid grains and the water in the pores. The total vertical stress acting at a point below the ground
surface is due to the weight of everything that lies above, including soil, water, and surface loading.
Total stress thus increases with depth and with unit weight. Pore qater pressure which is the pressure of
water in the existing pores in the soil. Effective stress in unsaturated zone, Above the water table, when
the soil is saturated, pore pressure will be negative (less than atmospheric). The height above the water
table to which the soil is saturated is called the capillary rise, and this depends on the grain size and the
size of pores. In coarse soils, the capillary rise is very small. Water is incompressible, whereas air is
compressible. The combined effect is a complex relationship involving partial pressures and the degree
of saturation of the soil. Compation of soil, is the application of mechanical energy to a soil so as to
rearrange its particles and reduce the void ratio.