Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical

Engineering
CE 435
Spring 2004
School of Engineering
University of Alaska Anchorage
Courtesy of Erik Malvick, UD Davis

Geotechnical Engineering
Implies the application of civil
engineering technology to the Earth

Concerned with soil and rock

New materials in terms of civil engineering
Difference between soil and rock is arbitrary

Study of soil and rock as an engineering

material to be built with or built on

Soils

Consist of

Particles
Water
Air
Organics
Other Fluids and Gases

Soils

Consist of
Particles
Water
Air

Typical 3 Phases

Organics
Other Fluids and Gasses

Soils
Natural Deposits
Product of Weathered Rock
Properties Depend on Geologic History
e.g. are they residual (formed in place)?
are they transported (e.g river sediments, wind
blown)?

Manmade Deposit
Compacted Fills
Earth and Rock-fill Embankment Dams
Properties depend on Placement Methods

Natural Deposit
Heterogeneous and
anisotropic material
Layered

The Typical Geotechnical

Engineering Process
1) Characterize the Site

Review of geology
On-site exploration
Collection of samples

Geot. Engrg. Process Cont.

2) Evaluate Soil Properties

Laboratory Tests
Field Tests
Properties are often Approximate
a. Small samples
b. Disturbance
c. Continually changing

Geot. Engrg. Process Cont.

1) Analyses

a. Determine important properties

b. Account for uncertainties (Factor of Safety)

2) Judgment (Experience)
a. Do the numbers make sense?
b. Safety

3) Build It
a. Monitor construction process

4) After Construction Monitoring

a. Watch for changes
b. Have contingencies ready for unforseen
circumstances

Typical Projects
Grading and
Drainage

Foundations

Fills & Dams

Retaining Walls

Groundwater Flow
Soil / Water Chemistry
Contamination
containment and
cleanup

Slope Stability

Earthquake Effects

Earthquake Effects

Ground
Improvement

Ground
Improvement

Conclusions
Soil Mechanics leads to many possible
projects
This class provides the fundamentals to
begin learning the concepts and projects
shown before
A basic understanding of soil mechanics
is necessary for all civil engineers

Useful Resources
Geotechnical Photo Album

cee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/boulanger/geo_photo_album/ind
ex.html

Course website

http://www.engr.uaa.alaska.edu/soe/Courses/ce435/i
ntro.htm