The distribution, formation and engineering properties of Quaternary regional Sediments in China

Abstract In China, there exist various regional sediments of the Quaternary such as loess soils of the Yellow River in northern China, lateritic soils in southern China and expansive soils in the broad plains of the Yangtze River. In the past, these Quaternary Sediments were often treated as special soils and their engineering properties tended to be studied accordingly. However, not much attention was given to relationships that may exist between these regional soils and, so far, the distribution and formation of regional Sediments have not been systematically studied. Only when it was found that regional classifications of soils (their names and their engineering properties) were in disagreement with each other for adjacent areas was the subject of relationship considered. Recently, the author has tested and studied a number of samples of various Quaternary regional Sediments. The relationship of their composition and microstructural features to their engineering properties has first been analysed on the basis of their basic properties. The distribution of regional sediments has then been studied in detail according to geographical environment and climatic conditions. Finally, formation and development processes for the various regional Sediments of the Quaternary in China have been postulated.