Why does deformation occur in the soil?

Structural Analysis
6th Edition
ISBN:9781337630931
Author:KASSIMALI, Aslam.
Publisher:KASSIMALI, Aslam.
Chapter2: Loads On Structures
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Why does deformation occur in the soil?

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Whenever any type of construction occurs, it has to be resting on the soil beneath it. So the soil beneath a structure whether that be a building, a dam, a bridge etc has to carry this load. Thus, the soil must posses the sufficient load bearing capacity otherwise it would go under strain. The response to stress is called strain. Soil will show strain by changing shape, volume or size. If the area does not recover from the change in shape it has experienced deformation. 

This could also happen due to natural processes which overtime gives the formation of mountains, valleys fault lines etc. The soil makes up mountains, valleys etc have a great variety of lines and swirls that make them unique and beautiful. 

Deformation is the any process that affects the shape, size, or volume of an area of the Earth's crust. The type of deformation that occurs depends on the type of stress and the type of soil present in the area of the Earth's crust that you are observing.  The soil is under pressure that causes it to change its shape over time.

Stress is defined as the force applied over an area. If it is applied uniformly, it is called confining stress and the soil does not change its shape.

As the image below shows the force applied on every side of the soil mass:

Civil Engineering homework question answer, step 1, image 1

 

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