Mechanical parameters
Soil is a heterogeneous mixture of organic matter, salts, metal oxides, water and air with silicates as dominant constituents of varying size and composition. The physical properties of soil constituting the mechanical parameters depend to a good extent on all these components. These properties are extremely important in determining how soils can and should be used. Thus the suitability of soil for many uses is also determined. Soil texture is the most important and permanent characteristic physical property of soil which is related to several soil properties such as soil structure, aeration, water holding capacity, nutrient storage, water movement and bearing strength. Soil texture and its analysis are discussed in the following subsection.