Properties of Soils.... * Cohesion: It is internal molecular attraction which resists the shear of the material. It decreases as the moisture content decreases and is more in well compacted clay's. * Internal Friction: It is due to the resistance of grains to slide over each other. * Angle of Internal Friction: It is usually considered to be independent of normal pressure, but varies with the degree of packing. * Capillarity: It is the property of soil due to which it transmits moisture in all direction. * Permeability: It is rate at which the water flows through the soil under the action of unit hydraulic gradient. * Elasticity: It is the property by which the soil suffers change in shape when the load is applied but regains its original shape when the same removed. * Resiliency: It is the maximum limit to which the soil can be strained without any permanent cnge. * Compressibility: The soils are said to be compressive when there is reduction in volume on being compressed. Gravels and sands are not compressive. Some terms used in Soil.... * Void Ratio: The ratio between the volume of voids or pores in the soil and the total volume of solid particles. * Porosity Ratio: It is equal to Volume of voids / Total volume (Total volume= Volume of soil+Voids) Agents that Transport Soil: Wind Gravity Water Ice