Geotechnical Engineering

VCB 2033
Introduction

Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.

Describe the importance of

Geotechnical Engineering.
Describe problems associating with
soils.

WHAT IS GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING?

Elements of Geotechnics
1.

Engineering Geology

2.

Soil Mechanics

3.

Rock Mechanics

 Terzaghi

(1948):
Soil Mechanics is the application of
laws of mechanics and hydraulics to
engineering problems dealing with
sediments and other unconsolidated
accumulations of solid particles
produced by the mechanical and
chemical disintegration of rocks
regardless of whether or not they
contain and admixture of organic
constituent

THE
LEANING
TOWER OF
PISA, ITALY
Construction began 1173 A.D
completed in about 200 years
Height = 55.86 m
Circular base diameter = 20 m
Weight = 15,700 metric ton
Weak clay layer below= 11 m
Tilt angle before 1990 = 5.5 degree
Concrete ring constructed
1400 ton Lead ingot placed on
concrete ring
70 ton clay were remove
Tilt angle now = 3.99 degree

Introduction and evolution of

Geotechnical Engineering
Soil is the oldest and most complex engineering
material.
Soil was used by our ancestors to build

Burial sites
Flood protection
Shelters

Roman engineers, especially Vitruvius (first century

B.C. during the reign of Emperor Augustus) paid great
attention to:
i.
ii.

Soil types (sand, gravel, etc.)

Design and construction of solid foundation

However, the above factors were based on trial and error

method; no theoritical basis for design.

Introduction and evolution of

Geotechnical Engineering

Coulomb (1773), a French physicist who is best

remembered for his work in electricity and magnetism is
also credited as the first person to use mechanics to
solve soil problem.
Coulomb was a member of the French Royal Engineers
interested in protecting old fortress that fell easily from
cannon fire.
Coulombs failure criterion and method of analysis still
prevail

Introduction and evolution of

Geotechnical Engineering

The first large scale attempts at geotechnical

engineering occurred in Sweden during the early
decades of the 20th century. The Swedes introduced
the word geotechnical (Geotekniska, is Swedish)
during this period.
Wolmar Fellenius was the most prominent soil
engineer during that time in Sweden and his method of
slope stability analysis is still being used today.
In the 20th century, rapid growth of cities, industry and
construction of skyscrapers, dams, tunnels, roads, ports
and harbours facilities, airports, towers etc. which
requires stable and yet economical foundations gave
rise to new questions about soil.

Introduction and evolution of

Geotechnical Engineering

1925, publication of Erdbaumechanik auf

Bodenphysikalischer Grundlage (German for The
Mechanics of Earth Construction Based on Soil
Physics) gave birth of geotechnical engineering by
Karl Terzaghi (1883-1963), the undisputed father of
soil mechanics.
Erdbaumechanik laid the foundation for soil
mechanics which deals with the fundamental
principles of soil mechanics on which more advanced
studies are bases.

Role of Geotechnical
Engineers

To an engineer: SOIL is a
material that can be..
Built

on building, roads etc.

Built in tunnels, bunker etc.
Built with embankments, dams,
dykes etc

Engineers study soil because

it s a
Support

for
structure, etc
construction
material to build
embankment,
etc
foundation for
roads etc
fill material etc

Engineers
Primarily

interested in mechanical
properties of soils: e.g:
Depends on nature of soil grains,
current stress, water content and unit
weight, etc.

Typical Geotechnical
Investigation

Geotechnical Problems
Landslide
Settlement

of soil
Foundation-related problems
Underground constructions tunnel
Dam construction
Retaining walls
Soil-bearing capacity

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems
Inadequate
foundations in
muddy soils
below sea level
caused these
houses in the
Netherlands to
subside.

Geotechnical Problems
House on
soil that
contain
clays that
swell
when they
become
wet, and
shrink
when they
dry.

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Landslide

Earthquake

Slope Stability

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Geotechnical Problems

Slope Stability

collapsed
tower

Highland Tower Tragedy

Slope Stability

Slope Stability

Nov 2008 - slope failure at Ulu Yam Selangor with 2 casualties

Slope Stability

Dec 2008 20 meter

slope failure at CIMB
Group building at Jalan
Semantan, Damansara

Slope Stability

Dec 2008 20 meter

slope failure at CIMB
Group building at Jalan
Semantan, Damansara

Slope Stability

Dec 2008, Taman Bukit

Mewah, Hulu Klang close
to Bukit Antarabangsa.
Four casualties, 14
bungalows destroyed

Slope Stability

Slope failure at
Taman Bukit
Mewah

Slope Stability

Slope Erosion near Taman

Bukit Segar Jaya, Cheras an
early sign of an impending
slope failure

May 2011-Landslides at Madrasah AtTaqwa in Hulu Langat Selangor

causing 16 casualties

Geotechnical Problems

Soil as an Engineering
Material
Soil

meant different thing

to different group of
people
Geologist
Geotechnical engineer
Farmer

Soil as an Engineering Material

The Soil
Profile

e.g: the
Florida soil

E.g.: Forest soil in Florida

To a Geotechnical Engineer
Sand
Clay
Sandy

soil
Sandy Clay
Elastic Clay
Silt
Bedrock