CE 411 – SOIL MECHANICS (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1)

CHAPTER 1
1ST SEMESTER, SY 2022-2023

+ SOIL MECHANICS (GEOTECHNICAL

ENGINEERING 1)

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

OUTLINE:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After working through the material in this chapter, you should be able to:

1. Understand how soil deposits are formed and the basic composition and structure
of soils at the level of the micro-fabric (Sections 1.1 and 1.2);

2. Describe (Sections 1.3 and 1.4) and classify (Section 1.5) soils based on their basic
physical characteristics;

3. Determine the basic physical characteristics of a soil continuum (i.e. at the level of
the macro-fabric, Section 1.6);

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Also known as geotechnics, is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of earth
materials. It uses the principles and methods of soil mechanics and rock mechanics for the solution of engineering
problems and the design
of engineering works.

Includes:
- Investigating existing subsurface conditions
- Determining soil properties
- Determining soil properties
- Assessing risks posed by site conditions
- Designing earthworks and structure foundation
- Monitoring site conditions, earthwork and foundation construction

SOIL MECHANICS
A discipline of engineering science which deals with the properties and behavior of soil as a structural material. All
structures have to be built on soils. Our main objective in the study of soil mechanics is to lay down certain
principles, theories and procedures for the design of a safe and sound structure. The foundation engineer must have
the ability to interpret the principles of soil mechanics to suit the field conditions.

Compiled by:
Engr. John Lowell C. Cordero 1
COS-Instructor 1, College of Engineering
 CE 411 – SOIL MECHANICS (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1)
CHAPTER 1
1ST SEMESTER, SY 2022-2023

HISTORY OF SOIL MECHANICS

1930: "Soil Mechanics" was established as a branch of civil engineering.
Karl Terzaghi's contribution in the field of Soil Mechanics have been immense and he is fittingly
called the "Father of Soil Mechanics". The term Soil Mechanics was coined by him.

Importance of Soil Mechanics

Foundations:
All the civil engineering structures, ultimately rest on the soil. They transfer their whole load to the
soil, so we have to construct the foundations to retain these structures. In case of the hard soil/having sufficient
strength, we can provide the shallow foundations. If we know the strength of the soil then we can decide which type
of foundation is to be used. If the soil is weak in strength, then we have to provide the deep foundations like pile
foundation, well foundation etc. It is important to know the method to calculate the method to know the strength of
the soil.

Soil is defined as
- A naturally occurring material obtained from weathering or decomposition or disintegration of rocks.
- The unaggregated or uncemented deposits of minerals and organic particles covering large portion of earth
crust.
- A heterogeneous mixture of fluids (air and water) and particles (clay, sand, silt and gravel), sometimes it
may contain organic solids, liquids, gases and other matters.

Soil Constituents
A soil mass is commonly considered to consist of solid particles, enclosed voids or interspaces. Thus, there
are two constituents of soil

1. Soil or solid particles

2. Voids

On the basis of constituents, the soil types are:

1. Dry Soil
- If only air is present in the voids of the compressed
soil then it is called dry soil

2. Saturated Soil
- If only water is present in the voids, then it is called
saturated soil.

Compiled by:
Engr. John Lowell C. Cordero 2
COS-Instructor 1, College of Engineering
 CE 411 – SOIL MECHANICS (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1)
CHAPTER 1
1ST SEMESTER, SY 2022-2023

3. Partially Saturated/Moist Soil

- If water along with air is present in the voids, then it
is called partially saturated/moist soil.

Formation of Soil or Weathering of Rocks

The conversion, decomposition of disintegration of intact mass of rock mechanically or chemically to small pieces is
called weathering.

There are two types of weathering:

1. Mechanical weathering
2. Chemical weathering

Compiled by:
Engr. John Lowell C. Cordero 3
COS-Instructor 1, College of Engineering