Soil mechanics - the theory of a sound foundation

Soil mechanics is a scientific discipline that studies the stability, strength and deformation-stress state of soil massifs. Also, soil mechanics investigates the general compressibility of soil layers, their structural-phase deformations and contact resistance to shear. Applied importance of this scientific discipline is the use of its results in the design and construction of various buildings.

In the construction of industrial, hydraulic engineering and underground structures, as well as in marine, river, housing, urban, road and airfield construction, the data and research results provided by soil mechanics are used. The foundations and foundations, designed and constructed taking into account all the recommendations of this scientific discipline, are distinguished by their strength, reliability and durability. Also, the primary tasks of soil mechanics are studying and solving the problems of deformation and stability of earthwork technical structures, slopes, support walls and other.

Soil mechanics is a necessary theoretical basis for the correct calculation of the foundations and foundations of structures. Correct design and erection of foundations largely depends on a proper assessment of physical and mechanical properties, as well as the features of the occurrence of soil masses, from the rational choice of the type of foundation and the size of the foundation.

From the point of view of this scientific discipline, all types of soils that are used as the foundation for a variety of construction projects are subdivided into natural and artificial. Soil massifs of natural occurrence are called natural grounds, and those that were previously strengthened by various methods (silicification, cementation, resinization, bitumenization, etc.) are an artificial base.

According to their origin, soils are classified as follows:

• Magmatic. Created by the geological activity of the planet (lava eruption and cooling).
• Metamorphic. Formed as a result of physical and chemical conversion processes from magmatic or sedimentary rocks under the influence of factors such as temperature and pressure.
• Sedimentary grounds. Formed by sedimentation.
• Artificial. They are the result of man's production and economic activities.

The structure of the soil massifs, which also studies soil mechanics, is reflected by its textural and structural characteristics. The structure of the soil is the aggregate characteristics of the dimensions of its constituent elements, their shape, the nature of the surface, and the quantitative ratio of the components and their interrelations. The main types of soil structures are cloddy, nutty, tile, cloddy, scaly, silty-microaggressive and others. The main structural links are the water-colloid type and crystallization type. It is from these parameters that the choice of the type of foundation and the suitability of the soil mass for the construction of a given type of construction depend.