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Clay, engineering geology

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Applied Geology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS,volume 3))

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The engineering geologist is primarily concerned that the effects of geological factors on the “location, planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering structures and the development of ground-water resources” are adequately provided for and recognized (Bates and Jackson, 1980, p. 204). The history, origins, and composition of earth materials are of importance insofar as they affect the applied objectives (Quigley, 1980) (see Geotechnical Engineering). It is well known that clay significantly affects the behavior of earth materials including the important property of cohesion in soils.

The term clay as used today carries with it three implications: (1) a natural material with plastic properties; (2) an essential composition of particles of very fine size grades; and (3) an essential composition of crystalline fragments of minerals that are essentially hydrous aluminum silicates or occasionally hydrous magnesium silicates. (Howell, 1966, p. 52)

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  1. J. E. Gillott
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  1. West Palm Beach, FL, USA

    Charles W. Finkl

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Gillott, J.E. (1984). Clay, engineering geology . In: Finkl, C. (eds) Applied Geology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series, vol 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30842-3_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30842-3_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-442-22537-7

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