Soil Mechanics
Soil mechanics is a scientific field of the civil engineering discipline that studies the mechanical behavior of soil. Soil mechanics is critical in civil engineering as it describes the principles that govern the way civil infrastructure projects such as buildings, bridges, tanks, embankments, dams, and tunnels, are supported by the soil.
Soil mechanics differs from classical fluid mechanics or solid mechanics as the soil is (a) a heterogeneous mixture of solid particles (gravel, rock, sand, silt, and clay), liquid, and gas (three-phase system), and (b) is a particulate material. Understanding and predicting soil’s behavior is complex as it is stress-dependent and nonlinear.
To derive soil’s mechanical properties, in-situ and laboratory testing are performed and analytical solutions or constitutive models are used to simulate its behavior.
In general, the purpose of using soil mechanics varies depending on the project, but broadly it aims to ensure soil’s stability and limit deformation while controlling groundwater flow.
Media
- World-leading geotechnical engineer Professor John Burland introduces viewers to the world of soil mechanics.
- Ove Arup Foundation
- Introduction to Soil Mechanics - Basic Concepts and Index Properties
- Elementary Engineering
Educational Resources
- Clay Minerology Powerpoint Presentation. Prepared and donated by Professor Sivakugan, James Cook University, Australia.
- Consolidation of Clays Powerpoint Presentation. Prepared and donated by Professor Sivakugan, James Cook University, Australia.
- Effective Stresses and Capillary Chapter 6. Lecture Notes. Prepared and donated by Professor Sivakugan, James Cook University, Australia.
- Permeability and Seepage Powerpoint Presentation. Prepared and donated by Professor Sivakugan, James Cook University, Australia.
- Permeability and Seepage Chapter 7. Lecture Notes. Prepared and donated by Professor Sivakugan, James Cook University, Australia.
- Soil Classification Powerpoint Presentation. Prepared and donated by Professor Sivakugan, James Cook University, Australia.
- Soil Classification Chapter 3. Lecture Notes. Prepared and donated by Professor Sivakugan, James Cook University, Australia.
Selected Topics
Web Class Assignments
External Resources
See Also
Buchanan Lecture 2021: video available
Nov, 30, 2021The following material has been provided by ASCE...
Numerical Modelling: On the Importance of an Appropriate Soil Model
Jul, 22, 2021The following was prepared by Dr. Ronald B.J. Bri...
Bull’s Liver Soil
Sep, 10, 2019This is a video of rock flour, also known as Bull...
Clay Mineral Image Collection
May, 13, 2019A collection of field emission scanning electron...
Geotechnical Engineering Practice in the Mycenaen Civilization (1600-1100 BC)
Jan, 18, 2022by Dimitrios Zekkos, John Manousakis, Adda G. Ath...
New ISSMGE TC304 Course on “Probability Analysis in Civil Engineering” by Dr. Jie Zhang
Nov, 09, 2021Professor Jie Zhang of Tongji University (China)...
