2. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering

2. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering

2.1 Soil Properties and Laboratory Tests

• Tests for: Strength, Permeability, Compressibility, Phase Relationships

• Determination of: Index Properties, Engineering Properties

• Soil Classification: Descriptive, Textural, ISI, MIT, USCS

• Boring Log Interpretation

• Sieve Analysis and Interpretation

• Determination of Atterberg Limits

2.2 Stresses on Soil and Seepage

• Effective Stress: Affecting Factors, Capillary Rise, Quick Sand Conditions

• Seepage Analysis: Seepage Pressure, Flow Nets and Applications

• Soil Compressibility: Various Indices

• Compaction: Definition, Affecting Factors

2.3 Shear Strength of Soil and Stability of Slopes

• Concept of Shear Strength

• Principal Planes and Principal Stresses

• Mohr-Coulomb Theory of Shear Strength

• Calculation of Normal and Shear Stresses at Different Planes

• Principle Stress at Failure Condition

• Types of Shear Tests

• Stability of Slopes

2.4 Soil Exploration, Earth Pressure and Retaining Structures

• Soil Exploration: Methods, Planning, Soil Sampling and Samplers, Field Tests, Site Investigation Reports

• Earth Pressure Theories

• Stability Analysis of Retaining Walls

• Techniques to Increase Stability of Retaining Walls

2.5 Fundamentals of Foundation

• Definition, Types: Shallow and Deep

• Functions, Factors Affecting

• Site Investigation of Foundation

• Concept of Spread and Mat Foundation

2.6 Bearing Capacity and Foundation Settlements

• Bearing Capacity: Types, Effects of Various Factors

• Modes of Foundation Failure

• Terzaghi’s General Bearing Capacity Theory

• Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Cohesion-less and Cohesive Soils

• Consolidation: Concept, Types and Tests

• Settlement: Types, Nature, Effects and Calculations