Unit 2191: Comprehensive Geotechnical Engineering

1. Soil Mechanics Fundamentals

• Introduction to Soil Properties
  • Physical properties: texture, structure, density, moisture content
  • Chemical and mineralogical composition
• Soil Classification Systems
  • Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
  • AASHTO classification
• Phase Relationships in Soils
  • Soil phases: solids, water, air
  • Soil phase diagrams and indices (void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation)
• Fundamental Principles Governing Soil Behavior
  • Effective stress principle
  • Permeability and seepage
  • Compressibility and volume change behavior

2. Stress-Strain Behavior of Soils

• Stress Distribution in Soils
  • Types of stresses: total, effective, pore water pressure
  • Boussinesq and Westergaard stress distribution theories
• Soil Strength Parameters
  • Cohesion, angle of internal friction
  • Apparent cohesion and effective stress parameters
• Interpretation of Stress-Strain Curves
  • Elastic and plastic deformation
  • Modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio
  • Stress-strain behavior for different soil types

3. Shear Strength of Soils

• Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
  • Shear strength envelope
  • Parameters: cohesion (c), friction angle (φ)
• Factors Influencing Shear Strength
  • Soil type, moisture content, density
  • Stress history and anisotropy
• Measurement and Calculation Methods
  • Laboratory tests: direct shear, triaxial compression, unconfined compression
  • Field tests: vane shear, shear wave velocity

4. Consolidation and Settlement Analysis

• Theory of Consolidation
  • Terzaghi’s one-dimensional consolidation theory
  • Coefficient of consolidation and permeability
• Settlement Analysis
  • Immediate (elastic) settlement
  • Primary consolidation settlement
  • Secondary compression
• Prediction Methods
  • Computation of settlement magnitude and time rate
  • Use of consolidation test data

5. Slope Stability Analysis

• Factors Affecting Slope Stability
  • Soil properties, slope geometry, water conditions
  • External loads and seismic effects
• Methods for Analyzing Slope Stability
  • Limit equilibrium methods (e.g., Bishop, Janbu, Fellenius)
  • Simplified and advanced numerical methods
• Techniques for Stabilizing Slopes
  • Drainage control
  • Reinforcement (geosynthetics, soil nails)
  • Retaining structures and vegetation

6. Earth Retaining Structures

• Design Principles
  • Types: gravity walls, cantilever walls, anchored walls, sheet piles
  • Earth pressure theories (Rankine, Coulomb)
• Soil-Structure Interaction
  • Active, passive, and at-rest earth pressures
  • Factor of safety and stability considerations
• Stability Analysis
  • Overturning, sliding, bearing capacity
  • Structural design and material selection

7. Deep Foundations

• Types of Deep Foundations
  • Pile foundations: driven, bored, composite
  • Drilled shafts (caissons)
• Load Transfer Mechanisms
  • Skin friction and end bearing
  • Negative skin friction and group effects
• Design Considerations
  • Geotechnical investigation requirements
  • Load capacity and settlement criteria
  • Installation effects and quality control

8. Ground Improvement Techniques

• Overview of Methods
  • Mechanical compaction
  • Grouting techniques
  • Soil nailing and anchors
  • Soil reinforcement with geosynthetics
• Selection Criteria
  • Soil type, project requirements, environmental considerations
• Case Studies and Applications

9. Geosynthetics in Geotechnical Engineering

• Types of Geosynthetics
  • Geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, geonets
• Applications
  • Reinforcement
  • Filtration and drainage
  • Erosion control and separation
• Design and Installation Considerations
  • Material properties
  • Compatibility with soil and environment

10. Seismic Considerations in Geotechnical Design

• Seismic Hazards and Soil Behavior
  • Liquefaction potential
  • Seismic amplification and site effects
• Soil-Structure Interaction During Earthquakes
  • Dynamic response of soil and foundation
  • Foundation design for seismic loading
• Design Strategies for Mitigating Seismic Risks
  • Earthquake-resistant foundation systems
  • Ground improvement for seismic stability