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Chapter 1_Introduction (1)

This document provides an introduction to soil mechanics, defining soil and its properties, as well as the branches of soil engineering and geotechnical engineering. It outlines the historical development of geotechnical engineering, highlighting key figures like Coulomb and Karl Terzaghi, and the evolution of soil mechanics from the preclassical period to modern times. Additionally, it mentions Ralph B. Peck's contributions to the field and his influential textbooks.

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12 views

Chapter 1_Introduction (1)

This document provides an introduction to soil mechanics, defining soil and its properties, as well as the branches of soil engineering and geotechnical engineering. It outlines the historical development of geotechnical engineering, highlighting key figures like Coulomb and Karl Terzaghi, and the evolution of soil mechanics from the preclassical period to modern times. Additionally, it mentions Ralph B. Peck's contributions to the field and his influential textbooks.

Uploaded by

adriannmarvin69
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter

One
Introduction
and
Historical
Perspective
INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MECHANICS
INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MECHANICS
INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MECHANICS
INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MECHANICS
INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MECHANICS
Soil – are non cemented natural aggregates of
mineral grains, loose or moderately cohesive
inorganic or organic in nature that have the
capacity of being separated by means of
simple mechanical processes.
INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MECHANICS
• Soil Mechanics – is the branch of science that deals
with the study of physical properties of soil and the
behavior of soil masses subjected to various types of
forces.
•Soil 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.
Geotechnical Engineering
Prior to the 18th Century

Coulomb (1773) is credited as the first person to use


mechanics to solve soil problems. He was a member of the
French Royal engineers, who were interested in protecting old
fortresses that fell easily from cannon fire.
Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy

Constructed in 1173 A.D.


1 - Geotechnical Engineering – A
Historical Periods

1.1 Preclassical Period of Soil Mechanics


(1700-1776)
1.2 Classical Soil Mechanics - Phase I
(1776-1856)
1.3 Classical Soil Mechanics - Phase II
(1856-1910)
1.4 Modern Soil Mechanics (1910-1927)
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AFTER 1927

• Father of Modern Soil mechanics

• Published Erdbaumechanik auf


Bodenphysikalisher Grundlage in 1927

• Born on October 2, 1883 in Prague, Bohemia

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering

• Degree in Doctor of Technical Sciences

• 1st President of International Society of Soil


Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (ISSMFE)

KARL TERZAGHI
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AFTER 1927
Ralph B. Peck, Professor Emeritus of Foundation
Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign In Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born
in Winnipeg, Canada, on June 23, 1912.
Ralph Peck earned a Civil Engineering Degree in 1934
and Doctor of Civil Engineering Degree in 1937, both
from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New
York. In 1938-39 he attended the Soil Mechanics course
at Harvard University and was a laboratory assistant to
Arthur Casagrande. Ralph B. Peck (1912 - 2008)
From1939 to 1942 Peck was an assistant subway engineer for the City
of Chicago, representing Karl Terzaghi who was a consultant on the Chicago Subway
Project. He joined the University of Illinois in 1942, and was a Professor of
Foundation Engineering from 1948 to 1974. Since 1974, Professor Peck was a
Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, and a consultant in geotechnical
engineering In 1948, together with Karl Terzaghi, Ralph Peck co-authored the most influential text
book in geotechnical engineering, Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice. In 1953 with
Walt Hanson and Tom Thornburn, Ralph Peck co-authored the widely used text book
Foundation Engineering.

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