Geotechnical EngineeringImplies the application of civil engineering technology to the Earth

Concerned with soil and rockNew materials in terms of civil engineeringDifference between soil and rock is arbitrary

Study of soil and rock as an engineering material to be built with or built on

SoilsConsist ofParticlesWaterAirOrganicsOther Fluids and Gases

SoilsConsist ofParticlesWaterAirOrganicsOther Fluids and GassesTypical 3 Phases

SoilsNatural DepositsProduct of Weathered RockProperties Depend on Geologic Historye.g. are they residual (formed in place)?are they transported (e.g river sediments, wind blown)?Manmade DepositCompacted FillsEarth and Rock-fill Embankment DamsProperties depend on Placement Methods

Natural DepositHeterogeneous and anisotropic materialLayered

The Typical Geotechnical Engineering ProcessCharacterize the SiteReview of geologyOn-site explorationCollection of samples

Geot. Engrg. Process Cont.Evaluate Soil PropertiesLaboratory TestsField TestsProperties are often ApproximateSmall samplesDisturbanceContinually changing

Geot. Engrg. Process Cont.AnalysesDetermine important propertiesAccount for uncertainties (Factor of Safety)Judgment (Experience)Do the numbers make sense?SafetyBuild ItMonitor construction processAfter Construction MonitoringWatch for changesHave contingencies ready for unforseen circumstances

Typical ProjectsGrading and Drainage

Foundations

Fills & Dams

Retaining Walls

Groundwater FlowSoil / Water ChemistryContamination containment and cleanup

Slope Stability

Earthquake Effects

Earthquake Effects

Ground Improvement

Ground Improvement

ConclusionsSoil Mechanics leads to many possible projectsThis class provides the fundamentals to begin learning the concepts and projects shown beforeA basic understanding of soil mechanics is necessary for all civil engineers

Useful ResourcesGeotechnical Photo Albumcee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/boulanger/geo_photo_album/index.htmlCourse websitehttp://www.engr.uaa.alaska.edu/soe/Courses/ce435/intro.htm