Preface

The general organization and purpose of this edition do not differ

from the first edition. To make the book more useful to instructors
who wish to combine the teaching of soil mechanics and foundation
engineering, the treatment of stress-deformation characteristics of
soils has been expanded, and elementary discussions of flow nets,
earth pressures, and stability of slopes have been added.
The scope of the book has been enlarged to include discussions of
foundations on rock, on swelling soils, and on fill. Also a new chapter
(Chapter 27) has been added on flexible earth-retaining structures
such as braced and tieback walls and anchored bulkheads. The sub-
ject of pile-driving dynamics has been modernized and its implica-
tions brought to a practical level. These and other revisions, including
the addition of several design plates, increase the usefulness of the
book for practicing engineers.
References have been added so that the reader can consult sources.
The suggested readings a t the end of each chapter have several
functions, depending on the subject. Some references provide addi-
tional details or background, but most citations include applications
of the principles or procedures discussed in the text. All are annotated.

Ralph B. Peck
Walter E. Hanson
Thomas H . Thornburn
June 1973