GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

1. Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering:

 Geotechnical engineering deals with the analysis and design of structures,
considering the properties and behavior of the underlying soil or rock.
2. Soil Mechanics Basics:
 Soil is a complex material composed of mineral particles, water, air, and
organic matter.
 The three-phase system in soil consists of solid particles, water, and air.
 Soil properties include grain size distribution, consistency, density,
permeability, and shear strength.
3. Classification of Soils:
 Soils are classified based on particle size into gravel, sand, silt, and clay.
 The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and the AASHTO soil
classification system are commonly used for soil classification.
4. Soil Compaction:
 Compaction is the process of increasing the density of soil by removing
air.
 Proper compaction is crucial for ensuring stable foundations and
minimizing settlement.
5. Effective Stress Principle:
 The effective stress in soil is the stress that contributes to soil strength.
 It is the difference between total stress and pore water pressure.
6. Shear Strength of Soils:
 Shear strength is a critical parameter in geotechnical engineering and is
related to the soil's ability to resist deformation.
 Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is commonly used to describe the shear
strength of soils.
7. Consolidation and Settlement:
 Consolidation is the process by which soil decreases in volume due to the
expulsion of water.
 Settlement refers to the downward movement of the ground surface.
8. Shallow Foundations:
 Shallow foundations transfer loads to the soil near the ground surface.
 Types include spread footings, mat foundations, and slab-on-grade.
9. Deep Foundations:
 Deep foundations are used when the shallow soil is inadequate to support
the loads.
 Types include piles and drilled shafts.
10. Slope Stability:
 Slope stability analysis is crucial for assessing the stability of natural and
man-made slopes.
 Factors influencing slope stability include slope angle, soil type, and water
content.
11. Earth Retaining Structures:
 Retaining walls and embankments are designed to resist lateral earth
pressure.
 Wall types include cantilever, counterfort, and gravity walls.