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IS 2809:1972 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for glossary of terms and symbols relating to soil engineering. This standard provides a comprehensive glossary of definitions and standard symbols for terms commonly used in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and geotechnical investigations. It ensures uniform vocabulary and notation in technical reporting and communication across India.
Glossary of terms and symbols relating to soil engineering
! Standardized symbols from Appendix A (like 'e' for void ratio, 'wL' for liquid limit) must be used in all geotechnical reports and logs to prevent misinterpretation.
! Highly useful as a reference document for drafting technical specifications, contracts, and academic materials relating to earthworks.
Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
Provides a comprehensive glossary of terms, symbols, and definitions used in geotechnical engineering, similar to IS 2809.
ISO 17748:2016International Organization for Standardization, International
HighCurrent
Geotechnical engineering and geotechnics — General terms and definitions
A dedicated international standard for defining general terms and definitions in the field of geotechnics.
BS 5930:2015+A1:2020British Standards Institution, UK
MediumCurrent
Code of practice for ground investigations
While a broader code of practice, it contains extensive sections on terminology and soil/rock description, serving a similar purpose.
EN 1997-1:2004European Committee for Standardization, Europe
LowCurrent
Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design - Part 1: General rules
Not a glossary, but a design code that defines symbols and terms within its text, establishing standard nomenclature in European practice.
Key Differences
≠IS 2809:1972 is a static document last reaffirmed in 2021, whereas ASTM D653 is a 'living standard' frequently updated with terms from new fields like geo-environmental engineering and geosynthetics, making it more modern.
≠IS 2809 explicitly lists standard symbols for various parameters. In international practice, symbols are often defined within the primary design codes (e.g., Eurocode 7) rather than a separate, dedicated terminology standard.
≠Terminology in IS 2809 is aligned with the Indian Soil Classification System (ISCS) detailed in IS 1498, which differs from the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) that underpins much of the terminology in ASTM D653.
≠International standards like the ISO 14688 series provide more detailed and descriptive guidelines for soil identification (e.g., colour, particle shape, consistency) than the general definitions found in IS 2809.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental purpose is identical: to establish a common language and set of symbols for geotechnical professionals to ensure clear and unambiguous communication.
≈Definitions for core soil mechanics concepts like void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation, unit weights, and Atterberg limits are conceptually identical across all standards, as they are based on universal physical principles.
≈The mathematical relationships between soil phases (solids, water, air) and the terms used to describe them are universally consistent across IS 2809 and international equivalents.
≈Symbols for the most common soil mechanics parameters (e.g., 'e' for void ratio, 'w' for water content, 'c' for cohesion, 'φ' for friction angle) are highly harmonized globally.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Void Ratio Symbol
e
e
ASTM D653
Water Content Symbol
w
w
ASTM D653
Effective Cohesion Symbol
c'
c'
EN 1997-1
Effective Angle of Internal Friction Symbol
φ'
φ'
EN 1997-1
Coefficient of Permeability Symbol
k
k (also termed Hydraulic Conductivity)
ASTM D653
Compression Index Symbol
Cc
Cc
ASTM D653
Bulk Unit Weight Symbol
γ or γt
γ
EN 1997-1
Degree of Saturation Symbol
S or Sr
S
ASTM D653
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Symbol for Void Ratioe
Symbol for Porosityn
Symbol for Water Contentw
Symbol for Liquid LimitwL
Symbol for Plasticity IndexIp
Symbol for Coefficient of ConsolidationCv
Symbol for Compression IndexCc
Key Formulas
e = Vv / Vs — Void ratio definition
n = (Vv / V) * 100 — Porosity definition
Sr = (Vw / Vv) * 100 — Degree of saturation
Ip = wL - wP — Plasticity Index
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Appendix A - Recommended Standard Symbols for Soil Engineering