Finding Soil Material for a Construction Project

Authored by Tej Gautam, Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geology, Marietta College.
Author Profile

This is a partially developed activity description. It is included in the collection because it contains ideas useful for teaching even though it is incomplete.

Summary

For this activity, students will prepare soil maps and data tables using the soil data from United States Department of Agriculture- Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). Using 'Web Soil Survey (WSS)', an online program developed and operated by USDA-NRCS, a small area around Marietta City will be chosen and possible sites for acquiring soil as a construction material for an engineering project will be determined.

Used this activity? Share your experiences and modifications

Learning Goals

  • Become familiar with soil types, creating and using soil maps
  • Develop data table and analyzing results
  • Develop decision making skills by finding appropriate sites
  • Analyze environmental sustainability using surface erosional concepts
  • Support your approach or decision with scientific concepts

Context for Use

This is appropriate for upper level undergraduate classes as a lab or a project activity.

Description and Teaching Materials

This laboratory activity involves uing 'Web Soil Survey (WSS)', an online program developed and operated by United States Department of Agriculture- Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), to identify a small area around Marietta City where students choose a location and possible sources of soil as a construction material for an engineering project. Students prepare soil maps and data tables using the soil database from the USDA-NRCS website.

Lab: Finding Soil Material for a Construction Project (Acrobat (PDF) 274kB Feb22 13)

Teaching Notes and Tips

Assessment

References and Resources

Web Soil Survey (WSS): http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx

How to use WSS: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm