Winner of the 2002 BGA prize.

Noel Simons, Bruce Menzies & Marcus Matthews

A short course in geotechnical site investigation is based on a series of University of Surrey short courses designed both to familiarise students with the practicalities of geotechnical engineering and refresh the knowledge of practising engineering geologists and civil engineers.

In accord with its "Short course" title, this book focuses on the fundamental principles of geotechnical site investigation – in particular the planning of the investigation. The book is illustrated throughout with case studies. Some aspects of soil mechanics are explained using "hand written" Short Course Notes. The book provides:

• an introduction on how to plan the investigation with particular reference to spacing of boreholes, procurement, developing the geological model, and conceptual design
• an outline on how to carry out the desk study and walkover survey with particular reference to the use of geological maps and air photos
• advice on how to identify geotechnical hazards, manage geotechnical risk and start the Risk Register
• a review of key laboratory and field tests for parameter determination.

The prime aim of this book, as with the other books in the Short Course Series, is to provide civil engineers, engineering geologists and students with the means to check that ground properties (inputs) and design predictions (outputs) collectively pass the "sanity test"!

A short course in Soil and Rock Slope Engineering 

Noel Simons, Bruce Menzies & Marcus Matthews

A short course in soil and rock slope engineering is based on University of Surrey short courses that were designed not only to familiarise students with the practicalities of geotechnical engineering, but also to refresh the knowledge of practising engineers and geologists. The book concentrates facts and figures in quick-reference charts and tables. Analytical methods are illustrated with many worked examples. The authors focus on getting the fundamentals right and then using them in practical applications. The book will appeal to young engineers and engineering geologists because particular emphasis is put on explaining the fundamental soil mechanics and rock mechanics involved in understanding and designing soil and rock slopes.

The book provides:

• A full explanation of the fundamentals of soil mechanics and rock mechanics involved in the understanding of slope engineering.

• An outline of the methods used in carrying out slope stability analysis "by hand" to enable the checking of computer outputs.

• A brief introduction to software applications for slope stability analysis and where to find them.

• A review of the principles of investigation and stabilisation of slope failures.

Above all, it is the prime aim of this book to provide civil engineers, engineering geologists and students with the means to check that ground properties (inputs) and design predictions (outputs) collectively pass the "sanity test"!