On the Physical Properties of the Kanto Loam, Volcanic Ash Soil

Abstract

The Kanto Loam is the volcanic ash soil distributed over Kanto District, Japan, and it is classified into the next four formations: Tachikawa Loam, Musashino Loam, Shimosueyoshi Loam and Tama Loam in the order from the upper to the lower.
(1) The physical properties of the Kanto. Loam are characteristic. The remarkable characteristics are as follows; for Tachikawa loam porosity is about 80%, natural moisture content is 150%, the moisture content at pF 4.2 by centrifugal method and Atterberg limit are higher than other soils. The upper formation of the Kanto Loam has the distingished values except for surface layer and the physical properties are classified into Tachikawa Loam, Musashino Loam and Tama loam (Shimosueyoshi Loam was not examined)
(2) The distingished physical properties among the formations of the Kanto Loam are the differences of Atterberg limit and centrifugal pF 4.2 water content between fresh soil and air dried soil. By comparing the difference, we can know which formation the sample belongs to, and how the sample has been dried.
(3) On the other hand, by knowing the formation of soil its physical and engineering properties can be estimated. There so-called Pedological Engineering comes out as a research method.