The soil mechanics is a branch of Civil Engineering that applies the principles

of mechanics and hydraulics to describe the behaviour of soil in unloaded condition or when
subjected to forces to solve the engineering problems related to soil. On the other hand,
rock mechanics is a branch that applies the principles of mechanics to understand the
behavior of rock masses.
Almost every Civil engineering structure found on the soil. The stability of these structures,
such as embankments, buildings, dams, levees as well as any natural slope depends on
strength, stability and deformations of the structure.
Karl Von Terzaghi regarded as Father of Soil Mechanics defines soil mechanics as, Soil
Mechanics is the application of Laws of Hydraulics and Mechanics to engineering problem
dealing with sediments and other unconsolidated accumulations of solid particles produced
by Mechanical and Chemical Disintegration of rocks.
With the technological advancements in computing and construction in Engineering, the
design and construction of large projects such as sky scrapers, subways, off shore
structures and long span bridges are now became
reality. For the design and construction of almost all such projects the engineers have to
deal with both soil and rock, either as construction material or as a foundation support.

Soil mechanics is a branch of soil physics and applied mechanics that describes the
behavior of soils. ... Soil mechanics is used to analyze the deformations of and flow of
fluids within natural and man-made structures that are supported on or made of soil, or
structures that are buried in soils.
Soil organisms decompose fresh organic matter such as crop residues and animal manures.
In the process, they help soil particles stick together into stable aggregates. They also
create humus, a form of organic matter that doesn't decompose further, that helps soils hold
water and nutrients.