Question

How is soil investigation important in civil engineering and give examples.

Answer 1

* Soil investigation is the process in which sub surface soil is explored and more information is gathered about the sub surface soil conditions and it help in engineering, construction and designing of various sub structures and super structures under and above the soil.

* So soil investigation is important in many ways. Let's us see how with examples ?

* soil investigation enables the engineer to know about the strength of sub surface soil like shear strength parameters cohesion and internal angle of friction which tells about the shear strength and bearing capacity of the soil which help in determining whether the soil will support the proposed load or not imposed on it through the superstructure above. If the soil is unable to bear the load then engineer will design certain sub structure as per requirement or replace the low bearing capacity soil with a good bearing capacity soil thus preventing the collapse of the structure from shear failure and settlement failure.

* Again if the soil below is a good bearing capacity soil then it proves to be economical as engineers does not design a heavy substructure to support the superstructure as soil can bear the load easily. So, soil investigation proves to be economical construction alse.

* Soil investigation tells about the location of subsurface water table which enables the engineer either to do dewatering before construction or to design above the ground water table to prevent the action of uplift or the damage from harmful chemicals present in water.

* Soil investigation also helps to find the hard strata or Rocky structure under the ground surface so while designing for deep foundations like pile foundations to get good end bearing resistance.

* Several tests like CPT, SPT, water content, specific gravity, boring, sieve analysis, atterberg limits etc are performed to determine soil properties.

Thus, we can say soil investigation is a much needed and most important process to be done before going for any civil engineering construction design as it proves to safety and economical design always.

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