A Review of the Revised Soil Classification System (RSCS) Based on Plasticity and Electrical Sensitivity to Pore-Fluid Chemistry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62292/njp.v33i4.2024.269Keywords:
Fine-grained soils, Plasticity, Electrical Sensitivity, Pore-Fluid Chemistry, Revised Soil ClassificationAbstract
Environmental problems involving subsurface flow, sediment stability analyses, submarine excavation, engineered flow systems like groundwater pollutant movement and remediation, waste and barrier containment systems, hydrocarbon migration, resource recovery, and energy extraction applications are among the biggest challenges in recent times. Therefore, understanding the response of soil fabrics in these submerged conditions via soil classification becomes very crucial so as to ensure accurate assessment of the integrity and safety of underground constructions. However, limitations of the traditional Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) include the adoption of arbitrary criteria predicated on grain size distribution and the estimation of soil consistency limit using only deionized water, as such hinders the effective prediction of soil properties. This is in addition to having rigid fines plasticity boundaries and neglecting the crucial impact of pore-fluid chemistry (such as pH, ionic concentration, and permittivity) on the behaviour of fine-grained soil. On the other hand, the Revised Soil Classification System (RSCS) is physics-inspired and data-driven, simple, precise, and repeatable, though not without some fundamental constraints. The current study provides extensive and critical evaluation of the revised soil classification scheme based on plasticity and electrical sensitivity to pore-fluid chemistry. This was conducted by collating and synthesizing vast amount of primary research findings, and formulating a more coherent perspective, identifying potential knowledge gaps, and making recommendations for further studies. This study will inspire fine-tuning of the novel soil classification system and stimulate further research for widespread adoption in geotechnical, geophysical and other geo-related applications.
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