Introduction to Soil Mechanics - Video Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and figures from the lecture notes on soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering.

Soils as Engineering Material

Soil used as a construction material in civil engineering projects; it supports structural foundations.

Soil Properties

Grain-size distribution, ability to drain water, compressibility, shear strength, and load-bearing capacity.

Soil Mechanics

Branch of science that studies the physical properties of soil and the behavior of soil masses under various forces.

Soils Engineering

Application of soil mechanics principles to practical problems.

Geotechnical Engineering

Subdiscipline of civil engineering dealing with natural materials near the earth’s surface; applies soil and rock mechanics to foundations, retaining structures, and earth structures.

Angle of Repose

The natural slope angle of soil surfaces, representing stable ground inclination.

Slip Planes

Planes along which soil fails or slides in geotechnical problems.

Lateral Earth Pressure

Pressure exerted by soil on retaining structures and walls.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

A classic geotechnical problem caused by a weak soil layer leading to tilt; stabilized by soil excavation beneath the structure.

Coefficient of Permeability

Also known as hydraulic conductivity; a measure of how easily water flows through soil (Darcy’s concept).

Boussinesq

Development of the theory of stress distribution under load-bearing areas in a homogeneous, semi-infinite, elastic, isotropic medium.

Rankine

Earth pressure theory that simplifies Coulomb’s approach for soils and retaining structures.

Coulomb

Earth pressure theory using calculus to determine the sliding surface behind a retaining wall.

Poncelet (Ø)

First to use the symbol Ø for soil friction angle and to provide an early ultimate bearing-capacity theory for shallow foundations.

Atterberg

Defined clay-size fractions (<2 microns), identified liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit, and the plasticity index.

Fellenius

Developed stability analysis methods for undrained saturated clay slopes.

Langley Bell

Contributed relationships for lateral pressure and resistance in clay and for bearing capacity of shallow clay foundations.

Terzaghi

Known as the father of modern soil mechanics; developed the theory of consolidation for clays.

ISSMFE (International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering)

Professional organization; its first conference was held at Harvard in 1936 with Terzaghi presiding.

Geosynthetics

Non-biodegradable geo-materials used in civil engineering; categories include geotextile, geogrid, geomembrane, geonet, and geosynthetic clay liner.