Scribd
Upload
21 views

CH1 Introduction

This document provides an introduction to soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. It defines soil and discusses how civil engineers must study soil properties to support structures and underground construction. It describes soil mechanics as dealing with the physical properties of soil and behavior of soil masses under forces. Geotechnical engineering applies soil mechanics principles to foundation, retaining structure, and earth structure design. The document notes how ancient civilizations developed along river banks and early construction works in the 1700s marked the beginning of true soil mechanics.

Uploaded by

Gbenga Adewumi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
21 views

CH1 Introduction

This document provides an introduction to soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. It defines soil and discusses how civil engineers must study soil properties to support structures and underground construction. It describes soil mechanics as dealing with the physical properties of soil and behavior of soil masses under forces. Geotechnical engineering applies soil mechanics principles to foundation, retaining structure, and earth structure design. The document notes how ancient civilizations developed along river banks and early construction works in the 1700s marked the beginning of true soil mechanics.

Uploaded by

Gbenga Adewumi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Chapter 1 Introduction

 Books : Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, Seventh Edition, BRAJA M. DAS


 Soil mechanics and Soil Engineering
 Geotechnical Engineering, Soil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Engineering Geology
For engineering purposes, soil is defined as the uncemented aggregate of mineral grains and decayed organic
matter (solid particles) with liquid and gas in the empty spaces between the solid particles. Soil is used as a construction
material in various civil engineering projects, and it supports structural foundations as well as medium for underground
constructions. In mining, soil is located above bedrock and sometimes in discontinuities as filling material. In addition, part of
either weak rock or soft rock is considered as soil. Soft ground is referred to soil. Thus, civil engineers must study the
properties of soil, such as its origin, grain-size distribution, ability to drain water, compressibility, shear strength, and load-
bearing capacity.
Soil mechanics is the branch of science that deals with the study of the physical properties of soil and the behavior
of soil masses subjected to various types of forces. Soils engineering is the application of the principles of soil mechanics to
practical problems. Geotechnical engineering is the subdiscipline of civil engineering that involves natural materials found
close to the surface of the earth. It includes the application of the principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics to the
design of foundations, retaining structures, and earth structures.
For years, the art of geotechnical engineering was based on only past experiences through a succession of
experimentation without any real scientific character. Based on those experimentations, many structures were built—some of
which have crumbled, while others are still standing.
Recorded history tells us that ancient civilizations flourished along the banks of rivers, such as the Nile (Egypt), the
Tigris and Euphrates (Mesopotamia), the Huang Ho (Yellow River, China), and the Indus (India). Dykes dating back to about
2000 B.C. were built in the basin of the Indus to protect the town of Mohenjo Dara (became Pakistan after 1947). However,
true soil mechanics start around 1700s with intensive construction works.
?Name construction works and the related issues with soil mechanics?

Introduction 1.1
Introduction 1.2

You might also like