Shear Strength Characteristics of Tropical Soil at Universiti Teknologi Petronas Campus

Studies on spatial variability of soil engineering properties are limited in the
south east Asia. This study examines the spatial variability of soil shear strength
properties in a flat region under subtropical climate using geostatistical and statistical
methods. This proposed study will allow understanding and characterization of small
scale spatial variability nature of soil shear strength characteristics of tropical soil in
University Technology of PETRONAS (UTP) campus area. The campus is built on a
400 hectare (1,000 acres) site. This campus is used as the experimental subject of the
spatial variability of soil shear strength characteristic. Global Positioning System
( GPS ) was used for locating the samples position. This project was been towards the
laboratory soil shear strength test from the samples that was taken at 50 different
locations inside UTP campus. The data has been analysed statistically and
geostatistically using special computer software. The study indicated geostatistical
analysis in conjunction with conventional statistical analysis could reveal spatial
variability nature of soil shear strength properties and causes behind the variability. Of
significant importance to land management practices is the finding that the variability of
the soil shear strength are largely due to topographic features and land disturbances. This
will also allow identifying the effects of land disturbances and catchments characteristics
inside the campus area of significant importance to land management practices.