Introduction to

Geotechnical Engineering
Prof. Basuony El-Garhy
Geotechnical Engineering and Foundations
Civil Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering

Copyright February 10, 2011 1

 Geotechnical Engineering

 Geotechnical Engineering is the branch of

civil engineering which deals with the
engineering properties of soil and its
performance under stresses and strains.

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 Engineering applications related to
Geotechnical Engineering
1. Foundations

Upper
part

GS
Lower
part

High rise building founded High rise building founded

on raft foundation on isolated footings

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Drilled shaft or pile foundation

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Cracks due to soil settlement

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Damages due to soil liquefaction-Turkey Earthquake

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Damages due to soil liquefaction-Turkey Earthquake

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 Engineering applications related to
Geotechnical Engineering
2. Highway works

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 Engineering applications related to
Geotechnical Engineering
3. Excavation and slopes

Core

Earth dam

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 Engineering applications related to
Geotechnical Engineering
4. Underground and retaining structures

GS GS

Anchor
Backfill

Tunnel Sheet pile wall Retaining wall

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