Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 1

CE 130 – SOIL MECHANICS

Lecture 1
Introduction to Soil Mechanics
Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 2

Definitions
Soil Mechanics (since 1700):
- addresses the engineering mechanics and properties of soil using the basic
principles of mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, fluid mechanics and
mechanics of materials)
Rock Mechanics:
- Concerned with the mechanics and properties of rock, usually bedrock

Foundation Engineering:
- Applies engineering geology, soil mechanics, rock mechanics and structural
engineering to the design and construction of foundations for structures
Geotechnical Engineering (since 1970):
- Term formed around 1970 to merge rock mechanics, soil mechanics and
foundation engineering into one descriptive name
- Sub-discipline of civil engineering

Geoenvironmental Engineering (since 1980):

- Introduction of environmental related geotechnical engineering concerned with
polluted ground water, disposal and containment of industrial wastes,
contaminated sites, etc.
Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 3

How to define soil?

Soil is usually considered the relatively loose agglomeration of mineral and
organic materials found above the bedrock

How to determine its properties?

Field observations Laboratory testing on sample specimen

In-situ testing - Physical testing
- Mechanical testing

Rock Gravel Sand Silt Clay Peat

Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 4

Unique Characteristics
of Soil

 aggregate (non-solid) material, composed of solids (grains) & water & air
 Particle size influence the soil behavior (granular or clay)
 Water content significantly influences the soil behavior
 Non-linear stress strain relationship
 Water flows in the pore spaces of soil
 Its properties change with time (creep)
 Its properties change with water content (shrinking/drying or swelling)
 Anisotropic and spatially nonhomogeneous material, (i.e. heterogeneous)
Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 5

History of Soil Mechanics

Ancient times (3000 B.C. – 1700 A.D.

- Construction od dykes, dams, levees to stabilize foundations

and/or prevent erosion (primarily in Mesopotamia and China)
- 2750 BC – begin of pyramid construction (Egypt)
- Problems related to soil mechanics were noticed
through uneven settlement / tilt of constructed structures
- Examples:
Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 6

History of Soil Mechanics

Pre-classical Soil Mechanics (1700 – 1776 A.D.)

- Research on soil types, unit weights and earth pressure theories predominantly
in France
- Studies on slope and slope stability
- First model retaining wall tests to study earth-pressures and soil failure planes
- First soil classification system in the form as shown below
- Contributing researchers:
• Henri Gautier (1660 – 1737)
• Bernard Forest de Belidor (1671 – 1761)
• Francois Gadroy (1705 – 1759)

Table: Das, Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 7th edition

Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 7

History of Soil Mechanics

Classical Soil Mechanics PHASE I (1776 - 1856 A.D.)

- Significant progress on research on earth pressures and sliding surfaces behind

retaining walls (Coulomb)
- Later: simplification of Coulombs earth pressure theory by Rankine
- First theory on bearing capacity of shallow foundations was developed
- Introduction of the symbol ϕ for soil friction angle (by Poncelet)
- Studies on embankments, deep slopes and cuttings and excavations
- Contributing researchers:
• Charles Coulomb (1736 – 1806)
• Jaques Frederic Francais (1775 – 1833)
• Claude Louis Navier (1785 – 1836)
• Jean Victor Poncelet (1788 – 1867)
• Alexandre Collin (1808 – 1890)
• William Rankine (1820 – 1872)
Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 8

History of Soil Mechanics

Classical Soil Mechanics PHASE II (1856 - 1910 A.D.)

- Studies on permeability of sand filters and introduction of hydraulic conductivity

of soil (by Darcy)
- Research on overturning moments of retaining walls with loose and compacted
backfill material (Darwin)
- Development of the theory of stress distribution under loaded bearing areas
- Studies on dilatency of sands

- Contributing researchers:
• Henri Darci (1803 – 1858)
• George Darwin (1845 – 1912)
• Joseph Boussinesq (1842 - 1929)
• Osborne Reynolds (1842 - 1912)
Lohrasb Keykhosropour, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine 9

History of Soil Mechanics

Modern Soil Mechanics (after 1927 A.D.)

- Research developed significantly based on fundamental findings by K. Terzaghi

- Work on pore pressure parameters for effective stress calculation published by
Skempton
- Advancement of Triaxial Testing
- Introduction of FEM and Finite difference solutions to Geotechn. Engineering
problems
- Development of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering & Soil Dynamics

- Contributing researchers:
• Karl Terzaghi (1883 – 1963)
• Ralph Peck (1912 – 2008)
• A.W. Skempton
• D. Taylor
• A.W. Bishop
• B.J. Henkel