Roy Whitlow Basic Soil Mechanics ~upd~
Used to calculate both the ultimate settlement amount and the time rate of settlement using the coefficient of consolidation ( Cvcap C sub v 6. Practical Engineering Applications
Defining the three-phase system and classifying soils based on particle size.
Basic Soil Mechanics: Whitlow, R: 9780582381094 - Amazon.com roy whitlow basic soil mechanics
Whitlow organizes the subject matter logically, guiding the reader from basic physical properties to complex engineering design applications. 1. Soil Classification and Identification
One of the primary strengths of Basic Soil Mechanics is its systematic and logical progression. The book is structured to guide a newcomer from the very origins of soil to the advanced concepts required for geotechnical design. The core chapters cover: Used to calculate both the ultimate settlement amount
Basic Soil Mechanics systematically guides the reader from the origin of soils to advanced design concepts. While the 3rd edition comprises 12 chapters, the structure remains largely consistent across revisions, ensuring a logical learning progression. The journey typically begins with the formation and classification of soils before moving into the physics that governs their behaviour. The table below outlines the core chapters from the 3rd edition as a key example of this structure:
The text is designed to serve a broad spectrum of the engineering community: The core chapters cover: Basic Soil Mechanics systematically
| | Title | Key Topics Covered | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | Origins and composition of soil | The geological cycle, weathering processes, and soil formation. | | 2 | Classification of soils for engineering purposes | The Unified and British Standard classification systems for soils. | | 3 | Basic physical properties of soils | Phase relationships (voids ratio, porosity, density), consistency, and index properties. | | 4 | Water in soil: occurrence and effects | Groundwater, capillary water, pore pressure, and effective stress. | | 5 | Water in soil: permeability and seepage | Darcy's Law, flow nets, and the mechanics of water flow through soil. | | 6 | Stresses and strains in soils | Stress distribution, settlement, and the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. | | 7 | Measurement of shear strength | Introduction to the Shear Box Test , Triaxial Test , and other key laboratory methods. | | 8 | Earth pressure and retaining walls | Lateral earth pressure (at-rest, active, passive) and Rankine & Coulomb theories for wall design. | | 9 | Stability of slopes | Methods of slope stability analysis, such as the Swedish Circle Method and the use of Method of Slices . | | 10 | Soil compressibility and settlement | Consolidation theory (Terzaghi's 1-D theory), calculation of immediate and primary consolidation settlement. | | 11 | Bearing capacity of foundations | Terzaghi's bearing capacity theory and general bearing capacity equations for shallow foundations. | | 12 | Site investigations and in-situ testing | Planning and execution of site investigations, covering boreholes and in-situ tests like the SPT and Cone Penetration Test . |
Basic Soil Mechanics is designed as a core text for undergraduate degree courses in civil engineering, as well as for BTEC HNC/D programs. Its accessible style and practical focus have made it a standard recommendation for students in construction and building programs as well. Crucially, the book is also "a valuable resource for practising engineers engaged in the design and construction of soil-related structures and systems". Many professionals keep their copy for use throughout their careers, as a reliable reference on fundamental principles.