1.2. Soil Mechanics

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define soil in the context of an engineer.

   Hint

   Think of construction applications for soil.

2. 2.

   What is permeability?

   Hint

   Consider water movement in soil.

3. 3.

   What is the primary focus of Soil Mechanics?

   • Weathering rocks
   • Studying soil as an engineering material
   • Plant growth

   Hint

   Think about the role soil plays in construction.

4. 4.

   True or False: Physical weathering changes the rock's chemical composition.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider the definition of physical weathering.

5. 5.

   A civil engineer is tasked with building a large dam. Describe the soil properties they must consider and why.

   Hint

   Think about the performance demands of a dam.

6. 6.

   Analyze how changing environmental conditions might affect the strength of a soil sample taken from a floodplain.

   Hint

   Reflect on what happens to soil during wet and dry seasons.