While many introductory texts on soil mechanics are available, most are either lacking in their explanations of soil behavior or provide far too much information without cogent organization. More significantly, few of those texts go beyond memorization of equations and numbers to provide a practical understanding of why and how soil mechanics work. Based on the authors’ more than 25 years of teaching soil mechanics to engineering students, Soil Mechanics Fundamentals presents a comprehensive introduction to soil mechanics, with emphasis on the engineering significance of what soil is, how it behaves, and why it behaves that way. Concise, yet thorough, the text is organized incrementally, with earlier sections serving as the foundation for more advanced topics. Explaining the varied behavior of soils through mathematics, physics and chemistry, the text covers: Engineering behavior of clays Unified and AASHTO soil classification systems Compaction techniques, water flow and effective stress Stress increments in soil mass and settlement problems Mohr’s Circle application to soil mechanics and shear strength Lateral earth pressure and bearing capacity theories Each chapter is accompanied by example and practicing problems that encourage readers to apply learned concepts to applications with a full understanding of soil behavior fundamentals. With this text, engineering professionals as well as students can confidently determine logical and innovative solutions to challenging situations.

Table of Contents:
Preface The Authors 1. Introduction Soil Mechanics and Related Fields Dr. Karl von Terzaghi Uniqueness of Soils Approaches to Soil Mechanics Problems Examples of Soil Mechanics Problems Organization of Contents References 2. Physical Properties of Soils Introduction Origin of Soils Soil Particle Shapes Definitions of Terms with Three-Phase Diagram Particle Size and Gradation Summary References Problems 3. Clays and Their Behavior Introduction Clay Minerals Clay Shapes and Surface Areas Surface Charge of Clay Particles Clay–Water System. Interaction of Clay Particles. Clay Structures Atterberg Limits and Indices Activity Swelling and Shrinkage of Clays Sensitivity and Quick Clay Clay versus Sand Summary References Problems4. Soil Classification Introduction Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) AASHTO Classification System Summary References Problems 5. Compaction Introduction Relative Density Laboratory Compaction Test Specification of Compaction in the Field Field Compaction Methods Field Density Determinations California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test Summary References Problems 6. Flow of Water through Soils Introduction Hydraulic Heads and Water Flow Darcy’s Equation Coefficient of Permeability Laboratory Determination of Coefficient of Permeability Field Determination of Coefficient of Permeability Flow Net Boundary Water Pressures Summary References Problems 7. Effective Stress Introduction Total Stress versus Effective Stress Effective Stress Computations in Soil Mass Effective Stress Change due to Water Table Change Capillary Rise and Effective Stress Effective Stress with Water Flow Quicksand (Sand Boiling) Heave of Clay due to Excavation Summary References Problems 8. Stress Increments in Soil Mass Introduction 2:1 Approximate Slope Method Vertical Stress Increment due to a Point Load Vertical Stress Increment due to a Line Load Vertical Stress Increment due to a Strip Load Vertical Stress Increment under a Circular Footing Vertical Stress Increment under an Embankment Load Vertical Stress Increment under Corner of Rectangular Footing Vertical Stress Increment under Irregularly Shaped Footing Summary References Problems 9. Settlements Introduction Elastic Settlements Primary Consolidation Settlement One-Dimensional Primary Consolidation Model Terzaghi’s Consolidation Theory Laboratory Consolidation Test Determination of Cv e-log σ Curve Normally Consolidated and Overconsolidated Soils Final Consolidation Settlement for Thin Clay Layer Consolidation Settlement for Multilayers or a Thick Clay Layer Summary of Primary Consolidation Computations Secondary Compression Allowable Settlement Ground Improving Techniques Against Consolidation Settlement Summary References Problems 10. Mohr’s Circle in Soil Mechanics Introduction Concept of Mohr’s Circle Stress Transformation Mohr’s Circle Construction Sign Convention of Shear Stress Pole (Origin of Planes) of Mohr’s Circle Summary of Usage of Mohr’s Circle and Pole Examples of Usage of Mohr’s Circle and Pole in Soil Mechanics Summary Reference Problems 11. Shear Strength of Soils Introduction Failure Criteria Direct Shear Test Unconfined Compression Test Triaxial Compression Test Other Shear Test Devices Summary of Strength Parameters for Saturated Clays Applications of Strength Parameters from CD, CU, and UU Tests to In Situ Cases Strength Parameters for Granular Soils Direction of Failure Planes in Sheared Specimen Summary References Problems 12. Lateral Earth Pressure Introduction At-Rest, Active, and Passive Pressures At-Rest Earth Pressure Rankine’s Lateral Earth Pressure Theory Coulomb’s Earth Pressure Lateral Earth Pressure due to Surcharge Load Coulomb, Rankine, or Other Pressures? Summary References Problems 13. Bearing Capacity Introduction Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory Generalized Bearing Capacity Equation Correction due to Water Table Elevation Gross versus Net Bearing Capacity Factor of Safety on Bearing Capacity Summary References Problems Numerical Answers to Selected Problems Subject Index Author Index Unit Conversion Table