Training Course in Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Investigation Techniques

Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics

• Soil composition and classification

• Soil phase relationships and properties

• Effective stress principle and permeability

Soil Classification and Index Properties

• Particle size distribution and Atterberg limits

• Soil consistency and plasticity characteristics

• Soil classification systems and standards

Soil Compaction and Shear Strength

• Compaction principles and moisture-density relationships

• Shear strength parameters and Mohr-Coulomb theory

• Laboratory shear tests and field shear strength tests

Stress Distribution and Settlement Analysis

• Boussinesq and Westergaard stress theories

• Types of settlement and prediction methods

• Factors influencing settlement and mitigation approaches

Geotechnical Site Investigation Planning

• Objectives and phases of site investigations

• Desk studies and preliminary data collection

• Planning borehole locations and testing strategies

Soil Sampling Techniques

• Types of soil samples: disturbed and undisturbed

• Sampling methods: hand augers, Shelby tubes, and piston samplers

• Sample preservation and transportation

In-situ Testing Methods

• Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and its interpretation

• Cone Penetration Test (CPT) and piezocone tests

• Plate load tests and vane shear tests

Laboratory Testing and Data Analysis

• Soil classification tests: grain size, Atterberg limits

• Strength tests: triaxial, direct shear, consolidation tests

• Data processing and geotechnical report preparation

Interpretation and Application of Geotechnical Data

• Correlation between field and lab results

• Groundwater considerations and slope stability basics

• Risk assessment and design input parameters

Emerging Technologies in Geotechnical Investigation

• Geophysical methods: resistivity, seismic, GPR

• Remote sensing and GIS applications

• Advances in monitoring and instrumentation