4. Physico-chemical soil classification

4.1 Classification principles

To classify soils, an integrated approach is adopted, considering both physical and chemical characteristics. The main criteria include :

• granulometry: analysis of solid particle sizes, essential for understanding soil structure and mechanical behavior. Advanced techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, can be used for more precise characterization;

• Plasticity/clay: an assessment of the amount of clay and the soil's ability to change shape without cracking. This directly affects the stability and load-bearing capacity of the soil, especially in regions subject to wide variations in humidity.

Secondary endpoints include:

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