Simons N., Menzies B., Matthews M. A Short Course in Geotechnical Site Investigation

Thomas Telford Publishing, 2002. — 368 p.A short course in geotechnical site investigation is the third volume in the popular and authoritative 'Short course' series. This book focuses on the fundamental principles of geotechnical site investigation - in particular the planning of the investigation. This indispensable book is illustrated throughout with 23 case studies, seven of which are detailed examples of best practice. Some aspects of soil mechanics are explained using 'hand written' Short Course Notes.List of case studies.
Planning and conceptual design.
Overview.Key attributes of successful geotechnical engineering practice.
Key elements in planning the investigation.
The desk study and walk-over survey.
What is the desk study?
Why do desk studies?
Overview of how a desk study is done.
What to look for in a desk study.
Aerial photography.
Overview of the walk-over survey.
Equipment needed for a walk-over survey.
Feature identification.
Local enquiries.
Geotechnical hazards and risk management.
Overview.
Hazards from natural and man-made materials.
Geotechnical hazards.
Managing geotechnical risk.
Why ground conditions are a risk.
Problems with the current approach.
Eliminating uncertainty – new methods of working.
Parameter determination: classic and modern methods.
Overview: key terminology, parameters and test types.
Milestones in research: the past 30 years.
Introduction to key laboratory and field methods.
Laboratory tests.
Field tests.
Appendix 1: Recommended list of units.
Appendix 2: Writing reports by David Palmer.
References and bibliography.