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Soils, Earthwork and Foundations: A Practical Approach was conceived as a way to bridge the gap between the sometimes highly theoretical and technically complex world of geotechnical engineering and foundation design on one hand and the ordinary construction activities of actually building foundations and dealing with soil conditions on the other. The book is directed to building code inspectors and others who are involved in permit review and field operations with regard to constructing foundations. References to the 2006 International Building Code and the 2006 International Residential Code are provided where applicable.
This publication is intended to be a guide and resource in regards to soils and foundations. It has sufficient illustrations to provide a level of understanding of the principles involved, and it has sufficient guidelines regarding when it is important to call on professional help, such as a geotechnical engineer or foundation design engineer.
The book is not intended to be a textbook for engineering students, but it may serve as a broad introduction to the subject.
Soils, Earthwork and Foundations: A Practical Approach is a helpful reference to fill the void that has long existed between textbooks intended for professional engineers and the knowledge gained by field experience or on-the-job training of technicians, inspectors, and construction personnel.
The focused, concise chapters make it easy to access the most important and relevant information. Kirby Meyer, PE, FASCE documents the extensive knowledge he has gained from more than 40 years of experience. His writing is interesting and easy to read, and is accompanied by examples of problem areas, and extensive use of illustrations, figures and photos.
The book consists of 25 chapters covering topics such as:
- groundwater and drainage
- foundations not designed by an engineer
- site investigations
- slope stability
- testing rock and soil
- construction inspection
- excavation and grading
- all foundation types of importance
- soil and seismic
- and many other critical issues
Another unique feature of this book is the inclusion of references and discussion of provisions of the building codes that are the legal basis for technical requirements. References, discussions, tables and figures from both the International Building Code and International Residential Code are included.
A companion workbook is also available separately. It contains objectives, key points and a quiz for each chapter of the book. The book and workbook together will benefit anyone preparing for an exam on soils, earthwork, grading and foundations through gained knowledge on the most important issues relevant to the subject.
From the Preface
The subjects of this book are soils, earthwork, and foundations with insights into design, plan review, construction, and inspection. The book is intended to fill a void in technical publishing that has long existed between textbooks intended for use by professional engineers and the knowledge gained by experience and on the job training that has been the traditional training ground for inspectors, construction personnel, and technicians. The contents are based on sound principles and up-to-date technology sharpened by the author's extensive construction exposure and forensic studies of failures. Frequent references to the applicable chapters of the 2006 International Residential Code and 2006 International Building Code have been provided, a feature rarely found in any similar textbook on the subject.
Studying the book will not make the reader an expert professional but will permit the reader to better communicate with geotechnical and structural professionals and benefit those who do code enforcement, plan reviews, construction inspections, laboratory work, and construction related to foundations and earthwork. Architects and engineers will also benefit from the information on design and field applications. Engineering students and graduate engineers who are starting to work as professionals will find it helpful in bringing together course-work topics and practical applications.
While it is labeled a practical book, many of the topics are not thoroughly understood by all practicing engineers. One difficulty is that geotechnical engineers understand their discipline very well but may not always be familiar with the work of structural engineers; the opposite is also true. Designing foundations requires some crossover knowledge of geotechnical engineering, and geotechnical engineers should understand the needs of structural engineers. The author hopes that this book will help bridge that gap.
This book and its workbook, available in a separate volume, will also benefit those who plan to participate in a certification exam on the subject of soils, earthwork, grading, and foundations through gained knowledge on the most important issues relevant to the subjects.
About the Author
Kirby T Meyer is a Texas professional engineer who has a bachelor and a master degree in civil and geotechnical engineering from Texas A&M University and has studied at Harvard and the University of Texas, concentrating in geotechnical and foundation engineering. He has over 40 years experience in the subjects of this book.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: The Purpose of Foundations and a Foundation's Relationship to Soil. Chapter 3: Rock. Chapter 4: Soil. Chapter 5: Groundwater and Drainage. Chapter 6: Site Investigations. Chapter 7: Testing Rock and Soil. Chapter 8: Analysis of Site Information. Chapter 9: Foundation Construction without a Formal Geotechnical Report. Chapter 10: Excavation and Grading. Chapter 11: Site Fill. Chapter 12: Soil and Seismics. Chapter 13: Spread or Strip Footings. Chapter 14: Pier Foundations. Chapter 15: Pile Foundations. Chapter 16: Raft or Mat Foundations. Chapter 17: Soil-Supported Slab Floors with Structural Footings. Chapter 18: Good Foundation Plans. Chapter 19: Foundations Not Designed by an Engineer. Chapter 20: Site Stabilization Techniques. Chapter 21: Recap of Site and Foundation "Red Lights." Chapter 22: Retaining Structures. Chapter 23: Slope Stability. Chapter 24: Construction Inspection. Chapter 25: Foundation Nonperformance. Glossary. Appendix: Example of Soils Report. Metric Units. Index. |
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