Dilatancy
“Dilatancy” is the increase in the bulk volume of a soil substance during deformation. Dilatancy is caused by the change from a close-pack structure to an open-pack structure.
“Dilatancy” is the increase in the bulk volume of a soil substance during deformation. Dilatancy is caused by the change from a close-pack structure to an open-pack structure.

Methane Mitigation Soil Gas Pressure Sensor Methane Mitigation Soil Gas Pressure Sensor: A Methane Mitigation Soil Gas Pressure Sensor is a device that measures and communicates sub-slab soil gas pressure to a methane control panel system. High levels of methane soil gas then trigger the integrated methane alarm system to notify occupants of danger. Much…

Well Graded Soil Well Graded: In the soil classification process of geology, well graded soil represents a sedimentary soil sample that fully displays all of the possible grain sizes for that soil classification, in accordance with the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). For example, a well graded sand (SW) comprises fine, medium, and coarse grains…

Dry Strength “Dry Strength” is a value that represents the strength of a soil sample, when dry, as determined by the crushing test. There is a common geotechnical engineering laboratory procedure for determining the cohesiveness or plasticity of a sample with organic or inorganic clays and silts.

Hydrogen Sulfide Soil Gas (In Natural Gas) Hydrogen Sulfide: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) soil gas geologically occurs upon the thermal and microbial decomposition of subsurface organic material deposits. It is typically identifiable in biogenic and petrogenic natural gas sources, along with higher concentrations of methane soil gas. Additionally, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, ethane, and isobutane exist within…

Liquefaction Liquefaction: Liquefaction is the process by which there is: (1) a sudden and significant decrease of shear resistance in a soil sample (cohesion-less); (2) a sudden (but temporary) increase of the pore-water pressure of a substance; and (3) a solid mass of soil that is transformed into a fluid state mass. In the event…

What is a Concrete Slab and Buttress Dam? A Concrete Slab and Buttress Dam is a freshwater-retaining structure comprising reinforced concrete slabs that are supported in-place by buttresses. The foundation of a Concrete Slab and Buttress Dam receives a large load. Thus, the foundation must be structurally sound, impervious, and competent. The alternative types of dams…