DISPERSIVE SOIL AND ITS MANAGEMENT - A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

When a saline-alkali (sodic) soil comes in contact with rain water, water molecules in between the clay platelets cause the clay to dislodge and platelets are detached from the soil aggregate,this phenomenon is known as dispersion. It causes serious complications to stability of earthretaining structures or any water retaining structure due to dispersive characteristics of soil. Structures like embankments, channels and other areas are at risk of serious erosion because it is easily erodible and deflocculated in water. Therefore, in these applications it is important tocheck for erosion especially during high flow conditions. Dispersive soil persists high swelling and shrinking potential and in intact sate possesses low resistance to erosion and low permeability. The present paper attempts to examine the prime characteristics of dispersive soil, methods for identification, problems due to dispersive soil and their remedies. Keywords: sodic soil, erosion, deflocculation, high swelling and shrinking potential. erosion, challenging & problematic soils