Properties of natural materials

The design and construction of earthen structures requires knowledge of the properties of natural materials, which are the subject of rock mechanics and soil mechanics. This is the subject of the sections 1 and 2 , which present the main theoretical and/or empirical bases and reference rules for understanding the properties of materials and their behavior under the influence of different factors.

In the third section, we look at the characteristic properties of soils from the point of view of geotechnical engineering for earthworks. Parameters resulting from the methodology applied in the field are introduced into the soil study.

This approach is the most important vector for the earthmoving business. It enables materials to be classified according to their suitability for use in earthworks. These concepts are decisive at both the design and construction stages.

In the case of structures such as earth dams, canals, river or port dikes, etc., guides or technical specifications are usually drawn up or adapted on a case-by-case basis by the project managers concerned.

For road and rail infrastructure (by extension and under certain conditions), we use the GTR technical guide "Réalisation des remblais et des couches de forme". It lists the various parameters involved in standardized soil classification.

This is the guide to which we will refer in 3