Hardpan (Caliche)

Hardpan (Caliche)

“Hardpan” is a highly dense and solid layer of soil near the ground surface, which is usually comprised of clay or silty-clay soils. Hardpan forms by cementation over time, during the process of precipitation of insoluble substances such as calcium carbonates, silica, iron oxides, and other organic matter. “Hardpan” is a term mostly used by farmers and agricultural technicians. However, in the field of geology, Hardpan is generally referred to as “Caliche.” Other names for the substance include “Calcrete,” “Calcic Rock,” and/or “Duricrust.”

Similar Posts

  • Feldspars

    ByGeo Forward

    Feldspars Feldspars: In the field of geology, and the branch of mineralogy, feldspars are a mineral group, that is the most common amongst the earth’s crust. In fact, there are two types of feldspars: plagioclase feldspar and orthoclase feldspar.

  • Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST)

    ByGeo Forward

    Leaking Underground Storage Tank (UST) Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST): A leaking underground storage tank (LUST) is a known case of hazardous liquid materials released into the environment, from within an underground storage tank (UST) source. The term “LUST” commonly applies to gasoline station soil contamination cases overseen by environmental regulatory agencies. Also See: Underground…

  • Gravel Blanket

    ByGeo Forward

    Gravel Blanket in Methane Mitigation A gravel blanket is a 2-inch or 4-inch thick layer of gravel, sand, or approved material that transmits methane soil gas to the horizontal sub-slab perforated pipes and verticle vent riser of a passive methane mitigation system.

  • Effective Stress (σ’)

    ByGeo Forward

    Effective Stress (σ’) “Effective Stress” (σ’) is a geotechnical engineering term. Effective Stress is a function of “total stress,” and is due to the solid particles of soil. Effective stress represents an excess of stress above pore-water pressure (or neutral stress). Effective Stress Formula Effective Stress = Total Stress – Pore-Water Pressure.

  • Consistency

    ByGeo Forward

    Consistency The term “Consistency” in the fields of engineering geology and geotechnical engineering means the degree of adhesion between soil particles within a sample, that are observed to resist deformation or rupture.