Soil Mechanics Through Project Based Learning

The currently available soil mechanics textbooks explain theory and show some practical applications through solving abstract geotechnical problems. Unfortunately, they do not engage students in the learning process as students do not "experience" what they study. This book employs a more engaging project-based approach to learning, which partially simulates what practitioners do in real life. It focuses on practical aspects of soil mechanics and makes the subject "come alive" through introducing real world geotechnical problems that the reader will be required to solve. This book appeals to the new generations of students who would like to have a better idea of what to expect in their employment future. This book covers all significant topics in soil mechanics and slope stability analysis. Each section is followed by several review questions that will reinforce the reader’s knowledge and make the learning process more engaging. A few typical problems are also discussed at the end of chapters to help the reader develop problem-solving skills. Once the reader has sufficient knowledge of soil properties and mechanics, they will be offered to undertake a project-based assignment to scaffold their learning. The assignment consists of real field and laboratory data including boreholes and test results so that the reader can experience what geotechnical engineering practice is like, identify with it personally, and integrate it into their own knowledge base. In addition, some problems include open-ended questions, which will encourage the reader to exercise their judgement and develop practical skills. To foster the learning process, solutions to all questions are provided to ensure timely feedback.

Traditional textbooks on rock mechanics often fail to engage students in the learning process as such books are packed with theory that students are unlikely to use in their future employment. In contrast, this book delivers the fundamentals of rock mechanics using a more practical and engaging project-based approach which simulates what practitioners do in their real-life practice. This book will be of great help to those who would like to learn practical aspects of rock mechanics and better understand how to apply theory to solve real engineering problems. This book covers geology, rock mechanics principles, and practical applications such as rock falls, slope stability analysis and engineering problems in tunnels. Throughout the whole book, the reader is engaged in project-based work so that the reader can experience what rock mechanics is like and clearly see why it is an important part of geotechnical engineering. The project utilizes real field and laboratory data while the relevant theory needed to execute the project is linked to each project task. In addition, each section of the book contains several exercises and quiz questions to scaffold learning. Some problems include open-ended questions to encourage the reader to exercise their judgement and develop practical skills. To foster the learning process, solutions to all questions are provided to allow for learning feedback.

Traditional textbooks on rock mechanics often fail to engage students in the learning process as such books are packed with theory that students are unlikely to use in their future employment. In contrast, this book delivers the fundamentals of rock mechanics using a more practical and engaging project-based approach which simulates what practitioners do in their real-life practice. This book will be of great help to those who would like to learn practical aspects of rock mechanics and better understand how to apply theory to solve real engineering problems. This book covers geology, rock mechanics principles, and practical applications such as rock falls, slope stability analysis and engineering problems in tunnels. Throughout the whole book, the reader is engaged in project-based work so that the reader can experience what rock mechanics is like and clearly see why it is an important part of geotechnical engineering. The project utilizes real field and laboratory data while the relevant theory needed to execute the project is linked to each project task. In addition, each section of the book contains several exercises and quiz questions to scaffold learning. Some problems include open-ended questions to encourage the reader to exercise their judgement and develop practical skills. To foster the learning process, solutions to all questions are provided to allow for learning feedback.

Educators, are you ready to meet the challenge of cultivating the next generation of engineers in a post-COVID-19 context? Current engineering student cohorts are unique to their predecessors: they are more diverse and have experienced unprecedented disruption to their education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will also play a more significant role in contributing to global sustainability efforts. Innovating engineering education is of vital importance for preparing students to confront society’s most significant sustainability issues: our future depends on it. Advancing Engineering Education Beyond COVID: A Guide for Educators offers invaluable insights on topics such as implementing active-learning activities in hybrid modes; developing effective and engaging online resources; creating psychologically safe learning environments that support academic achievement and mental health; and embedding sustainability within engineering education. Students’ own perspectives of online learning are also incorporated, with the inclusion of a chapter authored by undergraduate engineering students. This book consolidates the expertise of leading authorities within engineering education, providing an essential resource for educators responsible for shaping the next generation of engineers in a post-COVID-19 world.

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.

The aim of this book is to encourage students to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of soil mechanics. It builds a robust and adaptable framework of ideas to support and accommodate the more complex problems and analytical procedures that confront the practising geotechnical engineer. Soil Mechanics: Concepts and Applications covers the soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering topics typically included in university courses in civil engineering and related subjects. Physical rather than mathematical arguments are used in the core sections wherever possible. New features for the second edition include: an accompanying website containing the lecturers solutions manual; a revised chapter on soil strength and soil behaviour separating the basic and more advanced material to aid understanding; a major new section on shallow foundations subject to combined vertical, horizontal and moment loading; revisions to the material on retaining walls, foundations and filter design to account for new research findings and bring it into line with the design philosophy espoused by EC7. More than 50 worked examples including case histories Learning objectives, key points and example questions

This is the seventh edition of the best selling text Soil Mechanics, widely praised for its clarity, depth of explanation and extensive coverage.aaAs with previous editions, it presents the fundamental principles of soil mechanics and illustrates how they areaapplied in practical situations.aaWorked examples throughout the book reinforce the explanations and a range of problems for the reader to solve provides further learning opportunities. Craig's Soil Mechanics assembles all the essential elements of an undergraduate course, leading from the properties of soils and basic theory through to practical applications such as retaining structures and foundations.aaBoth the traditional and limit state methods of design are included, some of the concepts of geotechnical engineering are introduced and the different types of field instrumentation are described. Case studies provide the essential features of ten geotechnical projects and the differences between prediction and performance are illustrated and discussed.

Learn the basics of soil mechanics and foundation engineering This hands-on guide shows, step by step, how soil mechanics principles can be applied to solve geotechnical and foundation engineering problems. Presented in a straightforward, engaging style by an experienced PE, Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering: Fundamentals and Applications starts with the basics, assuming no prior knowledge, and gradually proceeds to more advanced topics. You will get rich illustrations, worked-out examples, and real-world case studies that help you absorb the critical points in a short time. Coverage includes: Phase relations Soil classification Compaction Effective stresses Permeability and seepage Vertical stresses under loaded areas Consolidation Shear strength Lateral earth pressures Site investigation Shallow and deep foundations Earth retaining structures Slope stability Reliability-based design