Applied Geotechnics for Construction Projects, Volume 2

Book excerpt: Geotechnical engineering is now a fundamental component of construction projects. The second volume of this book addresses the fundamental principles of soil mechanics and the role of water in geotechnical projects and assessments. Applied Geotechnics for Construction Projects 2 outlines the hydraulic properties of soils and the basic concepts of water in soil, detailing the principles of permeability measurement tests and giving concrete test cases, and then goes on to outline the basic notions of soil mechanics as applied in geotechnics: from consolidation to short- and long-term notions via the swelling phenomena of clayey soils, soil shear strength and slope stability. The third chapter presents a comprehensive overview of geotechnical expertise using examples of concrete projects either with or without damage in the context of geotechnical construction works. Each chapter of this second volume provides concrete examples of applications to real projects and the rules and lessons we must remember. The result is a combination of geotechnical expertise and lessons learned from experience, both of which are highly valuable in the field of applied geotechnics for construction projects.