ABSTRACT
Punjab is a vast alluvial flood plain produced by the three major rivers flowing through the state. The texture and composition of soils in the state vary widely across its length and breadth. The soil is gravelly (GP and GM) in nature along the area bordering the neighbouring states of HP and J&K, while in other areas, it is mainly composed of silty and sandy soils (SP, SM, SC, ML and CL) in the top layers up to a depth of 2–3 m. The lower strata beyond this depth are mainly the clean sand (SW) in most parts of the state. The water table fluctuates considerably in different areas. A possibility of liquefaction is also present in some of the areas. In most parts of the state, the settlement criterion controls the safe-bearing capacity of soils. For the routine footing size at shallow depths, it can be as low as 20 kPa in some areas to as high as 100 kPa in others. However, one can get a good value ranging from 200 kPa onwards beyond a foundation depth of 3 m. This chapter outlines different soil types that exist in the state of Punjab. A set of typical geotechnical properties of different soils present in the state are also included.
