Principles of Foundation Engineering, Eighth Edition

Braja M. Das

Preference :

In the general sense of engineering, soil is defined as the uncemented aggregate of mineral grains and decayed organic matter (solid particles) along with the liquid and gas that occupy the empty spaces between the solid particles. Soil is used as a construction material in various civil engineering projects, and it supports structural foundations. Thus, civil engineers must study the properties of soil, such as its origin, grain-size distribution, ability to drain water, compressibility, shear strength, loadbearing capacity, and so on. Soil mechanics is the branch of science that deals with the study of the physical properties of soil and the behavior of soil masses subjected to various types of forces. Rock mechanics is a branch of science that deals with the study of the properties of rocks. It includes the effect of the network of fissures and pores on the nonlinear stressstrain behavior of rocks as strength anisotropy. Rock mechanics (as we know now) slowly grew out of soil mechanics. So, collectively, soil mechanics and rock mechanics are generaly referred to as geotechnical engineering.

Foundation engineering is the application and practice of the fundamental principles of
soil mechanics and rock mechanics (i.e., geotechnical engineering) in the design of foundations
of various structures. These foundations include those of columns and walls of
buildings, bridge abutments, embankments, and others. It also involves the analysis and
design of earth-retaining structures such as retaining walls, sheet pile walls, and braced
cuts. This text is prepared, in general, to elaborate upon the foundation engineering aspects
of these structures.