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Three broad morphological zones can be differentiated at the weathering profile; the top, 3.80 m thick, pedological soil (zone I with sub-zones IA, IB and IC) comprising soft to stiff, brown clays and the bottom bedrock (zone III) being an outcrop of vesicular olivine basalt. The intermediate zone II (saprock) is 1.12 m thick and consists of brown, very stiff, sandy clayey silt with many lateritic concretions. Laboratory constant head permeability tests show the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) to vary with depth; sub-zone IB having a conductivity of 0.007 cm/hr, and sub-zone IC (saprolite), and zone II (saprock), having conductivities of 0.147, and 0.447, cm/hr, respectively. The conductivity values show no correlation with physical properties of the earth materials, but increase with increasing sand, gravel, and silt, contents. The conductivity values also decrease with increasing clay and colloid contents. The low hydraulic conductivity of sub-zone IB will lead to surface runoff and ponding over natural ground surfaces during rainfall events, though over disturbed ground surfaces, infiltration is anticipated in view of exposed saprolite and saprock earth materials with relatively high conductivity

Cube compressive strength of raw-soil based mater is an important index of mechanical property. Because the test results vary by different curing modes and trial curing time, compressive strength test on 160 cubic raw-soil test-pieces which were made by 4 curing modes (natural curing, indoor curing, indoor+ preservative film curing, curing in standard curing chamber) and 4 Curing period (4d, 14d, 21d, 28d) was designed.In this study,the failure mechanism, failure mode, force mechanism of test were analyzed.Using Weibull distribution theory, the influence of different environmental factors on material strength is discussed.The research revealed that the different curing methods and curing time had remarkable effect on failure mode of material, but the load displacement curves had not affected. The compressive strength with 21d and 28d ‘s indoor curing and standard curing method were same in the test.The strength of raw soil increases with time, and the curing temperature had a significant effect on the early strength of raw soil materials, but had little effect on the later strength. The humidity had a great influence on the later growth of material strength. Constant temperature and humidity could effectively ensure the full response of internal water loss hardening of raw soil-based materials, and the strength of specimens increases obviously.The recommended curing mode and standard curing time for standard test of raw-soil test-pieces were temperature of 25-30oC, humidity of 50%-55%, and 28day, respectively.

Three broad zones can be differentiated within the weathering profile over porphyritic biotite granite at Km 31 of the Kuala Lumpur - Karak Highway. The top Zone I (pedological soil) is 12 m thick and comprises A, B and C soil horizons; the C horizon (saprolite) being a clayey sand with indistinct relict bedrock textures. The intermediate Zone II (saprock) is some 30 m thick and consists of silty sands that indistinctly to distinctly preserve the minerals, textures and structures of the original granite. Zone II can be differentiated into four sub-zones; the upper II A and II B sub-zones marked by an absence of core boulders, whilst the lower II C and II D sub-zones have some to many core-boulders. The bottom Zone III (bedrock), whose upper surface is marked by an unconfined groundwater table, is a continuous granite outcrop with effects of weathering along and between discontinuity planes. Constant head permeability tests show saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) to vary with depth and texture; clayey sand from saprolite having a conductivity of 0.2420 cm/hr and silty sand from sub-zone II B, a conductivity of 0.7464 cm/hr. Silty sands from sub-zone II D have saturated hydraulic conductivity values of 1.5313, and 1.9585, cm/hr, whilst a silty sand from sub-zone II C has a conductivity of 4.1131 cm/hr due to it being collected at a relict pegmatite pod. Regression analyses show variable trends with low to moderate correlation coefficients (R2 0.820) for hydraulic conductivity versus physical properties as dry unit weight and void ratio.

This work presents a theoretical study based on the instability of fine soils stabilized with sugar cane molasses. Indeed, this stabilization is only effective during the dry season in the town of Nkayi due to the scarcity or non-existence of rainfall. This being the case, let us suppose that humidification influences the intrinsic parameters of the earth materials (suction, porosity) and even the stabilization capacity of the molasses, we can try to understand the instability phenomenon that occurs within the structural matrix of the material when it is solicited during periods of heavy rainfall. The current models which study the deformation of the proposed fine soils, relate the inter-aggregate voids, the intra-aggregate voids, the stability index, the suction of the soil material and the relative humidity of the environment. Also, the theoretical study of these models shows that the inter-aggregate voids increase with relative humidity, the intra-aggregate voids decrease with increasing relative humidity and the stability index decreases with increasing relative humidity.Similarly, inter-aggregate voids decrease with increasing suction, intra-aggregate voids increase with suction and the stability index increases with suction.However, with the extension of Ferber's model, the breaking point of the earth material is obtained using these same models, i.e. this minimum point beyond which the adhesion forces in the aggregate and between the aggregates become low to ensure cohesion between the aggregates in the material for a long time. All in all, this point is significant for Pr (=35.768%, =0.5262, =0.078, = 0.0005 262), and S=146 MPa (suction value) and is defined as the breaking point below which the cohesion of the aggregates is not evident. This proposed model mathematically translates both the effects of relative humidity and suction on voids in earth materials. It also explains the deformations that take place in earth materials at the microstructure level (intra-aggregate voids and inter-aggregate voids) under the effect of moisture or suction.

A new generation of self-compacting earth-based composites (SCEC) for vertical elements with fully exposed earth, in which the main feature is the elimination of compaction, is proposed in the current work. The first objective was to develop earth-based mixture compositions with locally available raw materials and achieve self-compactability. A Portuguese soil, typically employed in rammed earth construction, was stabilised using cementitious materials and a superplasticiser to ensure flowability. The mixture design studies allowed to achieve flowable fresh composites. Results on the hardened state showed that SCEC presents high compressive strengths (5–14 MPa). The electrical resistivity SCEC increased with time and achieved at least 5600 Ωm at 28 days, while mass loss stabilised after 14 days in a controlled environment room. Additional tests were performed on selected optimal SCEC mixtures: drying shrinkage and water capillary absorption, with promising results. Overall, this work provided initial boundaries for the mixture design and assessment of SCEC and opened the door for further studies on new and novel earth materials construction techniques.

Gravel and cement can effectively improve the low strength of traditional Earth materials. There have been few studies on test methods for raw soil-based composite admixtures. By introducing the theory of single lattice formula testing, the compressive strength of 10 formulas and 60 modified raw soil cubic specimens were tested. The failure process, failure mode, and compressive strength of specimens were studied. The effects of different formulations of raw soil on strength, peak displacement, and dispersion were analyzed. The results showed that cement content had a significant effect on the compressive strength and dispersion of earth material specimens. The optimal modification formula of cement, gravel, and raw soil was determined to be 0.1/0.08/0.82 (mass ratio). At the same time, the applicability of the test method was verified, which can be used as a reference for the experimental study on modification formulations of earth materials.

Using Earth materials for the removal of environmental contaminants attracted great attention. In this study, the mechanism of safranin O (SO) removal by 1:1 layered clay minerals was investigated....

The objective of this chapter is to present the physical, geotechnical, chemical and mineralogical characterization techniques used to characterize the raw material (earth and mineral addition, such as sand and gravel) contained in the earth materials manufactured with different techniques: earth bricks, rammed earth or cob. This chapter will be divided into 6 sections. The first will present the method used to find the references considered in this state of the art and we will carry out a general qualitative analysis of these references. The other sections will deal respectively with granular, geotechnical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics and, finally, the last part will be dedicated to field tests.

This chapter reviews the potential impact of six environmental agents (water, ice, wind, fire, solar radiation and chemical attack) on the long-term stability of earth buildings together with some of the most common techniques for measuring and improving material durability. Liquid water appears the most detrimental of all environmental agents, not only because it can significantly reduce capillary cohesion inside the material but also because water can penetrate inside buildings through multiple routes, e.g. rainfall, foundation rise, ambient humidity and utilities leakage. Water can also be very damaging when it is present in solid form as the expansion of pore ice may induce cracking of the earth material. The high resistance of earth buildings to wind is instead proven by the good conditions of many historic structures in windy regions. Earth buildings also exhibit good resistance to fire as the exposure to very high temperatures may even improve material durability. Solar radiation has, in general, a beneficial effect on the stability of earth buildings as it promotes water evaporation with a consequent increase of capillary cohesion. Solar radiation may, however, have a detrimental effect if the earth is stabilised by organic binders that are sensitive to photodegradation because, in this case, it may produce material damages ranging from a simple surface discoloration to a much more serious deterioration of the intergranular bonds. Unstabilized earth is generally inert and, hence, largely unaffected by chemicals though, in some instances, the precipitation of salt crystals inside the pore water can induce material cracking. Chemical degradation can instead be severe in both stabilised earth (due to the dissolution of intergranular bonds) and steel-reinforced earth (due to the corrosion of rebars). No international standard protocol exists to measure the durability of earth materials, which is currently assessed by multiple experimental procedures depending on which environmental agent is considered. Testin, (undefined)

The Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences (CFES) has issued this statement to summarize the science, effects, and implications of climate change. We highlight the role of Earth scientists in documenting and mitigating climate change, and in managing and adapting to its consequences in Canada. CFES is the coordinated voice of Canada’s Earth Sciences community with 14 member organizations representing some 15,000 geoscientists. Our members are drawn from academia, industry, education, and government. The mission of CFES is to ensure decision makers and the public understand the contributions of Earth Science to Canadian society and the economy.Climate change has become a national and global priority for all levels of government. The geological record shows us that the global climate has changed throughout Earth’s history, but the current rates of change are almost unprecedented. Over the last 70 years, levels of common greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere have steadily increased. Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is now 418 parts per million — its highest of the last three million years. The chemical (isotopic) composition of carbon in the atmosphere indicates the increase in GHGs is due to burning fossil fuels. GHGs absorb energy emitted from Earth’s surface and re-radiate it back, warming the lower levels of the atmosphere. Climatic adjustments that have recently occurred are, in practical terms, irreversible, but further change can be mitigated by lowering emissions of GHGs.Climate change is amplified by three important Earth system processes and effects. First, as the climate warms evaporation increases, raising atmospheric concentrations of water vapour, itself a GHG — and adding to warming. Second, loss of ice cover from the polar ice sheets and glaciers exposes larger areas of land and open water — leading to greater absorption of heat from the sun. Third, thawing of near-surface permafrost releases additional GHGs (primarily CO2 and methane) during decay of organic matter previously preserved frozen in the ground. Some impacts of climate change are incremental and steadily occurring, such as melting of glaciers and ice sheets, with consequent sea level rise. Others are intermittent, such as extreme weather events, like hurricanes — but are becoming more frequent. Summer water shortages are increasingly common in western Canada as mountain snowpacks melt earlier and summer river flows decline. In northern Canada, warming and thawing of near-surface permafrost has led to deterioration of infrastructure and increased costs for buildings that now require chilled foundations. Other consequences of unchecked climate change include increased coastal erosion, increases in the number and size of wildfires, and reduction in winter road access to isolated northern communities. Reductions in net GHG emissions are urgently required to mitigate the many effects of further climate change. Industrial and public works development projects must now assess the effects of climate change in their planning, design, and management. Cities, municipalities, and rural communities need to plan new residential development carefully to avoid enhanced risk of flooding, coastal erosion, or wildfire.Earth Science knowledge and expertise is integral to exploration and development of new metals and Earth materials required for a carbon-neutral future, and in the capture and storage of CO2 within the Earth. Earth Science is also central to society’s adaptation to new climatic regimes and reduction of risks. This includes anticipation, assessment, and management of extreme events, development of new standards and guidelines for geotechnical and engineering practice, and revision to regulations that consider climate change. Geoscientists also have an important role in the education of students and the public on the reasons for necessary action. Canada is uniquely positioned with its strong global geoscientific leadership, its vast landmass, and its northern terrain to effectively leverage research activities around climate change. Geoscience tools and geoscientists’ skills will be integral to Canada’s preparation for climate change., La Fédération canadienne des sciences de la Terre (FCST) a publié ce communiqué pour résumer la science, les effets et les implications des changements climatiques. Nous soulignons le rôle des scientifiques en science de la Terre dans la documentation et l'atténuation des changements climatiques, ainsi que dans la gestion de leurs conséquences et la création de mesures d'adaptation au Canada. La FCST est la voix coordonnée de la communauté canadienne des sciences de la Terre avec 14 organisations membres représentant environ 15 000 géoscientifiques. Nos membres sont issus du milieu universitaire, de l'industrie, de l'éducation et du gouvernement. La mission de la FCST est de s'assurer que les décideurs et le public comprennent les contributions des sciences de la Terre à la société canadienne et à l'économie.Les changements climatiques sont devenus une priorité nationale et mondiale à tous les niveaux de gouvernement. Les archives géologiques nous montrent que le climat mondial a changé tout au long de l'histoire de la Terre, mais les taux de changement actuels sont presque sans précédent. Au cours des 70 dernières années, les niveaux de gaz à effet de serre (GES) communs dans l'atmosphère n'ont cessé d'augmenter. La concentration de dioxyde de carbone (CO2) est maintenant de 418 parties par million - son plus haut niveau des trois derniers millions d'années. La composition chimique (isotopique) du carbone dans l'atmosphère indique que l'augmentation des GES est due à la combustion de combustibles fossiles. Les GES absorbent l'énergie émise par la surface de la Terre et la réfléchissent, réchauffant les niveaux inférieurs de l'atmosphère. Les modifications climatiques qui se sont produits récemment sont, concrètement, irréversibles, mais les changements additionnels peuvent être atténués en réduisant les émissions de GES.Les changements climatiques sont amplifiés par trois processus et effets importants du système terrestre. Premièrement, à mesure que le climat se réchauffe, l'évaporation augmente, ce qui augmente les concentrations atmosphériques de vapeur d'eau, elle-même un GES, et contribue au réchauffement. Deuxièmement, la perte de la couverture de glace des calottes glaciaires polaires et des glaciers expose de plus grandes superficies de terre et d'eau libre, ce qui entraîne une plus grande absorption de la chaleur du soleil. Troisièmement, le dégel du pergélisol proche de la surface libère des GES supplémentaires (principalement du CO2 et du méthane) lors de la décomposition de la matière organique jusqu’alors préservée gelée dans le sol. Certains impacts des changements climatiques sont progressifs et se produisent régulièrement, comme la fonte des glaciers et des calottes glaciaires, avec pour conséquence une élévation du niveau de la mer. D'autres sont intermittents, comme les événements météorologiques extrêmes, tels que les ouragans, mais deviennent de plus en plus fréquents. Les pénuries d'eau en été sont de plus en plus courantes dans l'ouest du Canada, car le manteau neigeux des montagnes fond plus tôt et le débit des rivières en été diminue. Dans le nord du Canada, le réchauffement et le dégel du pergélisol proche de la surface ont entraîné une détérioration des infrastructures et une augmentation des coûts des bâtiments qui nécessitent maintenant des fondations réfrigérées. Les autres conséquences des changements climatiques incontrôlés comprennent l'augmentation de l'érosion côtière, l'augmentation du nombre et de la taille des incendies de forêt et la réduction de l'accès aux routes d’hiver aux collectivités isolées du Nord. Des réductions des émissions nettes de GES sont nécessaires de toute urgence pour atténuer les nombreux effets de nouveaux changements climatiques. Les projets de développement industriel et de travaux publics doivent désormais évaluer les effets des changements climatiques dans leur planification, leur conception et leur gestion. Les villes, les municipalités et les communautés rurales doivent planifier soigneusement les nouveaux développements résidentiels pour éviter les risques accrus d'inondation, d'érosion côtière ou d'incendie de forêt.Les connaissances et l'expertise en sciences de la Terre font partie intégrante de l'exploration et du développement de nouveaux métaux et matériaux terrestres requis pour un avenir neutre en carbone, ainsi que dans la capture et la séquestration du CO2 dans la Terre. Les sciences de la Terre sont également au cœur de l'adaptation de la société aux nouveaux régimes climatiques et de la réduction des risques. Cela comprend l'anticipation, l'évaluation et la gestion des événements extrêmes, l'élaboration de nouvelles normes et directives pour les pratiques géotechniques et d'ingénierie, et la révision des réglementations qui tient compte des changements climatiques. Les géoscientifiques ont également un rôle important dans l'éducation des étudiants et du public sur le fondement des mesures nécessaires. Le Canada occupe une position unique grâce à son solide leadership géoscientifique mondial, sa vaste étendue et son territoire nordique pour tirer efficacement parti des activités de recherche sur les changements climatiques. Les outils géoscientifiques et les compétences des géoscientifiques feront partie intégrante de la préparation du Canada aux changements climatiques.

Cover thickness estimation is critical to mineral exploration effectiveness in covered terrains. Geophysical methods are able to detect physical properties contrasts in different earth materials wi...

Earth’s surface is composed of a staggering diversity of particulate–fluid mixtures: dry to wet, dilute to dense, colloidal to granular and attractive to repulsive particles. This material variety is matched by the range of relevant stresses and strain rates, from laminar to turbulent flows and steady to intermittent forcing, leading to anything from rapid and catastrophic landslides to the slow relaxation of soil and rocks over geologic timescales. From a physics point of view, virtually all Earth and planetary landscapes are composed of soft matter, in the sense that they are both deformable and sensitive to collective effects. Geophysical materials, however, often involve compositions and flow geometries that have not yet been examined in physics. In this Review, we explore how a soft-matter physics perspective has helped to illuminate, and even predict, the rich dynamics of earth materials and their associated landscapes. We also highlight phenomena of geophysical flows that challenge, and will hopefully inspire, work on more fundamental aspects of soft matter. Earth and planetary landscapes are composed of soft matter: amorphous materials that deform in response to broad-spectrum excitations, from fluid turbulence to plate tectonics. This Review surveys complex behaviours of earth materials that challenge existing physics frameworks and may inspire new approaches.

The acceleration of urbanization and the growth of population are considered to be the reasons of increasing demands for construction, life quality and energy consumption. This leads to more research in climate adaptive strategies such as traditional design methods, construction techniques and building materials. Traditional dwelling has been successful in achieving harmony between dwelling and climatic environment, which is one of the most important conditions for sustainability. Firstly, this paper focused on analyzing the characteristics of traditional dwellings in Qinba mountainous areas to adapt to the climatic environment. Secondly, two typical dwellings constructed respectively with brick and earth materials were selected for monitoring and simulating of its indoor thermal, luminous and ventilation environment in summer and winter. In addition, the research summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the dwelling's physical environment in response to climatic characteristics. It revealed that the traditional earth dwelling is well adapted to the local climate during summer, although the indoor thermal comfort is not fully satisfactory during winter. Finally, we prompted effective climate adaptive strategies of traditional earth dwelling, such as natural ventilation, thermal insulation and thermal buffer space. We want to provide guidance and reference for the development of traditional dwellings in the mountainous areas.

Landslides in the Thompson River valley, British Columbia, Canada, have historically impacted vital transportation infrastructure, the environment and natural resources, cultural heritage features, communities, public safety, and the economy. To better understand and manage geohazard risks in Canada’s primary national railway corridor, government agencies, universities, and railway industry partners are focusing research efforts on Ripley Landslide, 7 km south of Ashcroft. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) datasets collected in November 2013 (on land) and November 2014 (over water) were successfully combined and inverted into a pseudo-3D model that produced significantly deeper resistivity values than previously available in 2D profiles. The lithology, degree of saturation, porosity, presence of dissolved electrolytes, and temperature all influence electrical resistivity of earth materials in the landslide. Continuous (real-time) ERT monitoring began in November 2017 to characterize the long-term hydrological behavior of geological units in the landslide. Seventy-two electrodes were positioned in two arrays across the slide body and connected to a proactive infrastructure monitoring and evaluation (PRIME) system with internet access. PRIME resistivity results corroborate data from other geophysical techniques and hints at an unusual distribution pattern for surface moisture and groundwater in fractured bedrock and overlying clay-rich sediments containing vertical tension cracks and discrete sub-horizontal planar features interpreted as slide surfaces within pre-sheared zones. A greater understanding of the composition and internal structure of slope failures in the valley is gained at the site from terrain analysis and modeling of multi-dimensional geophysical datasets. This insight helps with the interpretation of multi-year monitoring datasets and will guide future efforts to record landslide activity in the valley, reducing stakeholder risks.

The geophysical electromagnetic (EM) theories are commonly based on the assumption that the conductivity of underground media is frequency independent. However, due to the existence of induced polarization (IP) effect, many earth materials are dispersive, and their electrical conductivity varies significantly with frequency. Therefore, the conventional numerical techniques are not proper for EM forward modeling in general dispersive medium. We present a new algorithm for modeling three-dimensional (3D) EM data containing IP phenomena in frequency domain by using an edge-based finite element algorithm. In this research, we describe the dispersion behavior of earth media by using a Cole–Cole complex conductivity model. Our algorithm not only models land and airborne EM surveys but also provides more flexibility in describing the surface topography with irregular hexahedral grids. We have validated the developed algorithm using an analytic solution over a half-space model with and without IP effect. The capabilities of our code were demonstrated by modeling coupled EM induction and IP responses in controlled-source audio magnetotelluric (CSAMT) and airborne electromagnetic (AEM) examples. This algorithm will have important guiding significance for survey planning in the dispersive areas, and it could be taken as a forward solver for practical 3D inversion incorporated IP parameters.

A large quantity of refuse fill, including layers of earth cover, was transported in 1971 from a "town dump" to a new location, where it was placed and compacted in layers. Measurements were made of the volume decrease of the material. During the placing in the new location, nine settlement platforms were installed at various elevations and settlement readings taken frequently during the ensuing five years. These readings indicate that "primary" settlement was extremely rapid and "secondary" settlement has proceeded continuously, at rates that are comparable to those for peats. Samples of the material, when separated in the laboratory into their constituent parts, indicate that the fill was approximately 48% refuse material and 52% earth cover material, by volume.

Raw earth is one of the oldest building materials, which is suitable for various uses: from the construction of load-bearing walls to use for plasters and finishes. The presence of straw fibers can give different behavior to this material. The present paper illustrates preliminary sensory and qualitative analyses, and subsequent laboratory tests that allow the characterization of the raw earth material with straw fibers for rammed earth constructions through mechanized compaction and the identification of a compatible earth mortar. The raw material considered in this study is mainly clayey, for this reason, a mix design usable with the pisé (or clay) technique has been developed. Cylindrical samples have been made through a press and subject to unconfined compression and indirect tensile tests. The results of the tests showed consistent tensile and compressive strength values in the context of earth materials. At the same time, a study for the realization of a mortar with the same base soil was carried out considering four mixtures, in order to investigate the best compromise between workability, shrinkage and compressive strengths. The purpose of the study was to investigate the mechanical characteristics of the local material through preliminary and laboratory tests, to classify it according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and to verify its suitability for a possible use in the construction field.

Over the last century, the state of stress in the earth’s upper crust has undergone rapid changes because of human activities associated with fluid withdrawal and injection in subsurface formations. The stress dependency of multiphase flow mechanisms in earth materials is a substantial challenge to understand, quantify, and model for many applications in groundwater hydrology, applied geophysics, CO2 subsurface storage, and the wider geoenergy field (e.g., geothermal energy, hydrogen storage, hydrocarbon recovery). Here, we conduct core-scale experiments using N2/water phases to study primary drainage followed by spontaneous imbibition in a carbonate specimen under increasing isotropic effective stress and isothermal conditions. Using X-ray computed micro-tomography images of the unconfined specimen, we introduce a novel coupling approach to reconstruct pore-deformation and simulate multiphase flow inside the deformed pore-space followed by a semi-analytical calculation of spontaneous imbibition. We show that the irreducible water saturation increases while the normalized volume of spontaneously imbibed water into the specimen decreases (46–25%) in response to an increase in effective stress (0–30 MPa), leading to higher residual gas saturations. Furthermore, the imbibition rate decreases with effective stress, which is also predicted by a numerical model, due to a decrease in water relative permeability as the pore-space becomes more confined and tortuous. This fundamental study provides new insights into the physics of multiphase fluid transport, CO2 storage capacity, and recovery of subsurface resources incorporating the impact of poromechanics.

Urban anthropogenic soils (UASs) are soils formed by: (1) Metapedogenesis, in which human additions of organic matter transform a pre-existing natural soil into a new profile requiring classification as a different type of soil, (2) Technopedogenesis, wherein a new soil profile is developed in artifact-bearing, human-deposited sediment comprised of a mechanical mixture of earth materials, and (3) Ekranopedogenesis, in which pre-existing soils are sealed beneath pavement and other impervious structures and materials. Human-forced melanization results in rapid organic matter accumulation, and because of substrate mixing and the addition of artifactual materials, UASs are generally in a state of thermodynamic disequilibrium which results in accelerated rates of soil formation. Thus, most UASs are characterized by ˆA-ˆC or ˆA-ˆBw-ˆC profiles, which have developed rapidly within only a few decades. In Soil Taxonomy (ST), UASs are distinguished as having formed in human-altered vs. human-transported materials, which correspond closely to Anthrosol vs. Technosol categories, respectively, in the World Reference Base (WRB). However, differentiae in ST do not correspond conveniently with land use type, whereas in the WRB, there is currently no provision for grave soils and several distinct types of UASs are lumped together as Spolic Technosols. Based on the working classification formulated herein, the most widespread UASs are Urbic (residential) and Ekranic (sealed) Technosols. Hortic (garden) and Nekric (cemetery) Anthrosols, and Industric (industrial) and Spolic (mine soils) Technosols, are relatively minor components of the typical urban landscape. UASs are expected to impact growing numbers of people as urbanization expands worldwide.

The efficient design of new earth structures and the restoration of old structures both require a reliable assessment of the compressive strength of earth materials. However, there is still much debate on the best method to accurately measure the compressive strength of earth blocks. To solve the problem of measuring the compressive strength of the earth block, the cube specimen, the half-block stacked specimen, and the full-size block specimen are used to measure the compressive strength of the molded adobe and rammed adobe, respectively, considering the influence of the specimen preparation process, loading direction, capping, and other factors. By comparing and analyzing the stress state, failure mode, and compressive strength of the specimen under various test methods, a compressive strength test method of earth blocks is determined, which is simple to operate, easy to standardize, and as close as possible to the actual strength of the blocks. The results show that the full-size block compression test method along the block thickness direction should be preferred to test the compressive strength of the earth block. The standard specimen obtained by cutting the full-size block is not suitable for the test of the compressive strength of the earth block; it can effectively solve the problem that the compressive strength of the small-thickness earth block cannot be directly measured by cutting the full-size block in half and stacking it, but it is not recommended to use the binder to bond the two half-blocks. When comparing the compressive strength of the earth blocks, the conversion coefficient related to the height-to-thickness ratio of the specimen cannot be used to convert the compressive strength. Still, the anisotropy of the material strength should be considered.