Mindanao State University – Main Campus Sindangan Extension
Civil Engineering Department
CVE131 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1
Lecture 1
Introduction: Definition, Importance &
History
Engr. Reymark T. Estrada
Instructor
DEFINITIONS
Soil Soil Mechanics
The uncemented aggregate of mineral grains Branch of science that deals with the study of
and decayed organic matter (solid particles) the physical properties of soil and the behavior
with liquid and gas in the empty spaces of soil masses subjected to various types of
between the solid particles. forces.
Soil Engineering Geotechnical Engineering
Application of the principles of soil mechanics to The subdiscipline of civil engineering that
practical problems. involves natural materials found close to the
surface of the earth. It includes the application
of the principles of soil mechanics and rock
mechanics to the design of foundations,
retaining structures, and earth structures.
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Why do we need to study
the engineering behavior
or mechanics of soils?
SITE INVESTIGATION
Pre-requisite to the design of any
structure (NSCP 2015)
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS
BRIDGE FOUNDATION
RETAINING STRUCTURES
EXCAVATION WORKS
GROUND
IMPROVEMENT
LANDFILL STRUCTURE
The Solution of Soil Engineering Problem
Examples of Geotechnical
Engineering Construction
Soil ---> extremely varied
Principles of Mechanics
Prior to 18th Century
❑ The art of GE was based on only past experiences through a
succession of experimentation without any real scientific character.
Based on those experimentations, many structures were built—some of
which have crumbled, while others are still standing.
❑ One of the most famous examples of problems related to soil-
bearing capacity in the construction of structures prior to the 18th
century is the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
❑ Also the tilting of Garisenda Tower (left) and Asinelli Tower (right) in
Bologna, Italy.
After encountering several foundation-related problems during construction
over centuries past, engineers and scientists began to address the
properties and behaviors of soils in a more methodical manner starting in
the early part of the 18th century.
The study in the area of geotechnical engineering, the time span extending
from 1700 to 1927 can be divided into four major periods:
1. Pre-classical (1700 to 1776 A.D.)
2. Classical soil mechanics—Phase I (1776 to 1856 A.D.)
3. Classical soil mechanics—Phase II (1856 to 1910 A.D.)
4. Modern soil mechanics (1910 to 1927 A.D.)
Pre-classical (1700 – 1776)
❑ This period concentrated on studies relating to natural slope and unit
weights of various types of soils, as well as the semiempirical earth
pressure theories.
Classical Soil Mechanics (Phase I: 1776 - 1856)
❑ Coulomb’s Earth Pressure theory (1776), developed by a French
scientist Charles Augustin Coulomb (1736 1806). Several applications
and improvements done by other practitioners and researches
followed.
❑ Rankine Earth Pressure Theory and equilibrium of earth masses
(1857), developed by William John Macquorn Rankine (1820 1872), a
professor in Civil Engineering at the University of Glasgow.
Classical Soil Mechanics (Phase II: 1856 - 1910)
❑ Study on the Permeability of Soils by Henri Philibert Gaspard Darcy
(1803 1858). He introduced the term Coefficient of Permeability (or
Hydraulic Conductivity).
❑ Theory on Stress Distribution under load bearing areas in a
homogeneous, semi infinite, elastic, and isotropic medium developed
by Joseph Valentin Boussinesq (1842 1949) in 1885.
❑ Dilatancy of Sand demonstrated in 1887 by Osborne Reynolds (1842
1912).
Modern Soil Mechanics (1910 - 1927)
In this period, results of research conducted on clays were published in
which the fundamental properties and parameters of clay were
established.
❑ Atterberg Limits by Albert Mauritz Atterberg (1846–1916), a Swedish
chemist and soil scientist.
❑ Relationships for lateral pressure and resistance in clay as well as
bearing capacity of shallow foundations in clay by Arthur Langley Bell
(1874–1956), a civil engineer from England.
❑ Stability analysis of saturated clay slopes by Wolmar Fellenius
(1876–1957), an engineer from Sweden.
Modern Soil Mechanics (1910 - 1927)
❑ Karl Terzaghi (1883–1963) of Austria developed the theory of
consolidation for clays as we know today.
Geotechnical Engineering after 1927
Karl Terzaghi is known as the father of modern soil mechanics.
It was through the inspiration and guidance of Terzaghi over the preceding
quarter-century that papers were brought to conference covering a wide
range of topics, such as
▪ Effective stress ▪ Preloading for settlement control
▪ Shear strength ▪ Swelling clays
▪ Testing with Dutch cone penetrometer ▪ Frost action
▪ Consolidation ▪ Earthquake and soil liquefaction
▪ Centrifuge testing ▪ Machine vibration
▪ Elastic theory and stress distribution ▪ Arching theory of earth pressure
Geotechnical Engineering after 1927
For the next quarter-century, Terzaghi was the guiding spirit in the
development of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering throughout
the world.
End of an Era
Professor Ralph B. Peck, an american civil engineer, is known as the.
godfather of soil mechanics.
He was directly responsible for a succession of celebrated tunneling and
earth dam projects that pushed the boundaries of what was believed to
be possible.
This is truly the end of an era.
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End of Lesson 1
Thank You!
