Geomechanics in Soil, Rock, and Environmental Engineering

"""… covers some topics which are not to be found in other texts, for example, the design of working platforms, foundations on fissured soils, and the material on excavation analysis including groundwater… suitable for more advanced undergraduate courses and post-graduate courses in geotechnical engineering."" —Harry Poulos, Senior Consultant, Coffey International ""Small’s text covers a broad range of information available to help assess the properties and strength of soil, rock, and environmental controls encountered in certain types of construction applications. In 12 chapters (some with associated appendixes), Small (emer., geotechnical engineering, Univ. of Sydney, Australia) covers the basic concepts and tests used in soil mechanics, describes finite layer and finite element method mathematical techniques, presents site investigation requirements, and examines sample collection and lab and field testing methods. Information on analyses and considerations associated with shallow and deep foundations, slope stability, excavations, retaining structures, soil improvement, and geotechnical aspects related to disposal of municipal, industrial, and mining wastes are also provided. The last chapter presents methods needed for testing rock, along with the analyses and considerations recommended for construction in rock. Ample equations, figures, photographs, graphs, and tables fully support the text, as do generous references and a substantial index. The text assumes a fundamental knowledge of geomechanics and would benefit from a glossary. The strength of the text is in the broad coverage of the presented information; however, a few chapters lack meaningful introductions that would help provide a framework for their content."" —CHOICE, December 2016 ""… covers some topics which are not to be found in other texts, for example, the design of working platforms, foundations on fissured soils, and the material on excavation analysis including groundwater… suitable for more advanced undergraduate courses and post-graduate courses in geotechnical engineering."" —Harry Poulos, Senior Consultant, Coffey International ""Small’s text covers a broad range of information available to help assess the properties and strength of soil, rock, and environmental controls encountered in certain types of construction applications. In 12 chapters (some with associated appendixes), Small (emer., geotechnical engineering, Univ. of Sydney, Australia) covers the basic concepts and tests used in soil mechanics, describes finite layer and finite element method mathematical techniques, presents site investigation requirements, and examines sample collection and lab and field testing methods. Information on analyses and considerations associated with shallow and deep foundations, slope stability, excavations, retaining structures, soil improvement, and geotechnical aspects related to disposal of municipal, industrial, and mining wastes are also provided. The last chapter presents methods needed for testing rock, along with the analyses and considerations recommended for construction in rock. Ample equations, figures, photographs, graphs, and tables fully support the text, as do generous references and a substantial index. The text assumes a fundamental knowledge of geomechanics and would benefit from a glossary. The strength of the text is in the broad coverage of the presented information; however, a few chapters lack meaningful introductions that would help provide a framework for their content."" —CHOICE, December 2016"