Multiscale Characterizations of Special Soils and the Geotechnical Implications

The traditional soil mechanics is fundamentally built upon the behavior of sand and clays. However, in geotechnical engineering worldwide, miscellaneous types of special soils are frequently encountered which challenges people’s understanding of soil mechanics. These soils include residual soils, expansive soils, glacial tills, diatomaceous soils, coral soils, loess, frozen soils, contaminated soils, and soils improved via physical, mechanical, and bio-geochemical processes, etc. The geotechnical behaviors of these special soils are found largely distinct from those of common clays and sands, and their parameters cannon be predicted in a traditional way, which causes great difficulties for engineering applications.

The understanding of these special soils’ behavior is critical if geotechnical engineering is to be performed in a secure and economic way. To this end, multiscale characterizations should be performed which includes the in-situ tests, monitoring, laboratory tests, microscopic observations, and cross-scale analysis.

This Research Topic provides a good platform for global researchers to present their newest high-quality works on the multiscale characterizations of special soils. Sample topics of interest of this Special Issue include but are not limited to in-situ and laboratory tests, model tests, field monitoring, and microscopic observations of special soils. The editors particularly welcome the multiscale characterization of a special soil in which the macro mechanical behavior of soil is correlated with its structural features. New information about the properties of common soils (such as sand and clay) is also welcomed.