Soil Mechanics

This classroom demonstration explores how granular and cohesive soils behave and how those behaviours influence ground stability and construction design. In activity, students connect the rock cycle to real-world geomechanics using simple household materials. Using simple household materials, this demonstration shows: • Granular flow vs. particle interlocking • The jamming phenomenon and soil arching • Solid-like vs. fluid-like behaviour • Granular dilation • Cohesive soil resistance and bonding • How soil type influences ground stability By connecting the rock cycle to soil mechanics, students see how geology influences foundation design, infrastructure stability, and real-world engineering decisions. Teacher Guide: https://ausearthed.com.au/soil-mechan... Student Worksheet: https://ausearthed.com.au/soil-mechan...