Morphological, Mineralogical and Some Engineering Properties of Soil with Different Pedalogical Properties

Abstract

In this study, the morphological, mineralogical, physical and chemical properties of three soil profiles, having different pedological development on the same parent material, were determined and relationships between their physical properties and mineralogical properties were investigated. According to this study’s results, three soil profiles were classified as Vertik Ustorthent, Typic Haplustept and Vertic Calciustept. The results of mineralogical analysis showed that montmorillonite in the 2: 1 type expanding smectite group is the dominant clay mineral and there is a small amount of kaolinite and nontronite clay minerals. Liquid limit and plastic limit of genetic horizons of soils were determined between 48-63% and 25-37%, respectively. The highest liquid limit and plastic limit values in surface horizon were found in Vertik Ustorthent whereas, the lowest values were determined for Vertic Calciustept. According to USCS (Unified Soil Classification System) classification, all soils were classified as high plasticity, inorganic clay (CH) and as moderate plasticity, inorganic clay (CL). In addition, mineralogical test results, values obtained as a result of index properties, and swelling evaluations obtained with the extension of soil properties has been found to be compatible. Besides, pedalogical development (cambic horizon) cannot be said to have much effect on the mineralogical and physical properties of soils.

Keywords

• Atterberg limits
• clay mineral
• soil classification
• Entisol
• Inceptisol