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Soil Mechanics
Bodenmechanik
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:10:38
Abstract
Fundamentals of soil mechanics including key processes: classification, site investigation, stresses and their distribution in soils, influence of groundwater in soils and on structures, piping, erosion and filters, stress-strain relationships, stress history, stiffness, strength, settlement calculations, consolidation, slope stability, mechanical compaction.
Objective
Fundamentals in soil mechanics and geotechnics will be presented in order to: * understand soil as a multi-phase hydro-mechanical system * obtain parameters essential for classification and description of soil * recognise key aspects of soil behaviour and the implications of this for obtaining and characterising the stress-strain response and deriving associated parameters (stiffness and strength).
Content
Introduction, basic terms, classification, site investigation Total and effective stresses, stress distribution in soils Influence of groundwater in soil, water pressure on structures, hydraulic fracture (piping), erosion and filters Stress-strain relationships, stress history, stiffness, strength, settlement calculations, time dependency, consolidation Limit equilibrium, slope stability (infinite slope, slip circles, slip surfaces) Mechanical compaction
Resources
Lecture Notes
Notes printed as 2 handbooks with extensive Web support containing the notes and linked animations, challenges and exercises, with overview via mindmap, worked examples of examination questions, glossary, search machine.
Literature
http://calice.igt.ethz.ch/ English translation in preparation.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 120 minutes
- Aids
- Teil 1, Verständnis: Keine Hilfsmittel Teil 2, Aufgaben: Skript gebundenes Büchlein in Original-Format 'Bodenmechanik'; unprogrammierbarer Taschenrechner
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Bodenmechanik |
|
4 h weekly |