Soil engineering is not an exact science. Because of the nature and the variability of soils, few assumptions are made in the derivaton of equations. For good engineering judgements are required for the interpretation of the results. In fact, each problems in soil engineering is a unique problems because the soil at two place are seldom identical.
The following limitations must be kept in mind :
(i) As the soil does not possess a linear or unique stress-strain relationship, the solutions of the theory of elasticity cannot be directly applied
(ii) As the soil at every location is different, the results and experience from one projects to the other projets to the other should transferred with great care.
(iii) The bhaviour and the strength of soil depends upon environment, drainage, pressure and many factors. These changes must be kept in mind when dealing with soils.
(iv) The most of soil is underground and cannot be inspected. Adequate soil exploration shouldbe done to determine the profile of soil.
(v) Since the soils are sensitive to disturbance, the results of tests conducts all soil samples should be interpreted very carefully.
(vi) The soil is a particulate material in which the particle are relatively free to move with resect to one another. The behaviour of the soil changes as the particles get shifted from one place to other.
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(vii) The methods of construtions may have to be modified as the work progresses and the propertiese of the soil begin to unfold. Occasional observations have to be made during the even after the completion of work to check whether the assuptions made were correct or not.
(viii) The soil is a multiphase system, consisting of solid water and air phases. The behaviour of a soil depends upon the relative proportation of the three phases. i.e. solid, water, air present in it.
(ix) Soil mechanics is a relatively new science. It is essential to know latest development in the field.
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