The Experimental Comparison between the Engineering properties of sand and Hydrophobic sand

Abstract

A soil is composed primarily of minerals which are produced from parent material that is weathered or broken into small pieces. Plants and animals have important roles to play in soil. Both plants and animals change the composition and structure of soil in many different ways. Plants with roots obtain nutrients and moisture from soil through their roots. Soils are characterised by their physical, chemical and biological properties. In addition, soils are good materials used in engineering projects .The phenomenon of soil water repellency, starting from the fundamental principals of water transport and storage in soil. Soil water repellency is a reduction in the rate of wetting and retention of water in soil caused by the presence of hydrophobic coatings on soil particles. The biological causes of water repellency, primarily the influence of fungi, will be discussed, as an understanding of the source of the problem will be beneficial in developing solutions. Exacerbation of repellency through climate change and the use of 'engineered' soils for amenity surfaces will be demonstrated using research findings from around the globe. In developing solutions to soil water repellency, its positive benefits, if maintained at very low levels, need to be considered. Water repellency is a key process in the physical stabilisation of soil and its impact on evaporation also needs to be considered. Before developing a rapid solution to repellency based only on water transport rates, a holistic understanding of the impacts on soil water relations is essential. Laboratory testing of soils and hydrophobic soil  is a fundamental element of geotechnical engineering. The complexity of testing required for a particular project may range from a simple moisture content determination to sophisticated triaxial strength testing. A laboratory test program be well-planned to optimize the test data for design and construction.