Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4.1
The structure of the Earth.
are usually relatively stiff and strong while young soils (Glacial and Post-Glacial) are
usually relatively soft and weak, but these are rarely deeper than about 30 m (see
Fig. 4.1(d)). Notice that the slope of the land reflects the strength of the underlying
material; in rocks mountain slopes can be steep and high while in soils the slope angles
are much more gentle and the heights are much less. Spread out over most of the
land surface is a layer of soil of variable thickness, but usually less than 1m, that
supports plant life. This is called topsoil; it is of great interest to farmers and gardeners
