WHY?

Soil Mechanics
Semester V
PC-BTC503
August 2020

Kshitija Nadgouda July 2020

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Soil Mechanics

 Meaning? Wiki?
 Mechanics: branch of science that deals with energy
and forces and their effect
 Soil: Dirt? NO!!
 Uncemented aggregate of mineral grains and
organic matter (solid particles) with liquid and gas in
empty spaces between the solid particles
 Soil Mechanics is the branch of science that deals
with the study of the physical properties of soil and
the behavior of soil masses subjected to various
types of forces

Kshitija Nadgouda July 2020

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Soil Mechanics

 Basics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i--
51DBtOGU&list=PLHKzkbxyS9dYJQ2kCbnIWmJPi
yzToiiMW&index=1
 Geotechnical Engineering - not only soil, but
everything below the ground surface
 Soil/ Rock sometimes difficult to distinguish
 Geotechnical Engineer – deals with the use of
natural material found close to surface of earth
and application of principles of soil and rock
mechanics to design structures

Kshitija Nadgouda July 2020

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Who is an Engineer?

 Problem solver
 Understands science, engineering and
APPLIES this knowledge to find solutions.
 Makes things work more efficiently and
effectively – designs a system
 Scope for creativity
 What sort of problems (related to soil)?

Kshitija Nadgouda July 2020

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Problems…
Landslides – Konkan Railway

Image source: https://www.deccanchronicle.com

Kshitija Nadgouda July 2020
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Retaining wall failure

Kshitija Nadgouda July 2020Image source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Kshitija Nadgouda July 2020