An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering Author: William D. Kovacs | Language: English | ISBN:
0132496348 | Format: PDF
An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering Description
An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering offers a descriptive, elementary introduction to geotechnical engineering with applications to civil engineering practice.
- Hardcover: 864 pages
- Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (October 28, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0132496348
- ISBN-13: 978-0132496346
- Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches
- Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
This review is for the 2nd edition of the outstanding geotechnical engineering text "An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering". Other reviews I've seen appear (based on their dates) to be for the 1st edition. My focus in this review will be to point out additions to the 2nd edition that make it of interest while trying to mention the general contents of the book. While a bit lengthy, this review is not exhaustive (it would take a book), so if your favorite topic isn't emphasized, it may well be included, but not a current hot button for me.
In summary, the 2nd edition retains all of the features that made the 1st edition such an outstanding text, while adding key elements that make the book come closer to living up to its broad title of being an introduction to geotechnical engineering. As noted by one reviewer, the 1st edition was, more than anything, an excellent soil mechanics text. It still retains much of that character, so if you want a foundation design text, look elsewhere. However, as a geotechnical engineer, I must point out that an understanding the concepts expressed in this book is critical to performing foundation design, slope stability, or retaining structure analyses that are of any value. As with the 1st edition, there are topics treated that take this book well beyond an introductory text.
As noted by reviewers of the 1st edition, the clear, insightful, discussions of shear strength, pore pressure parameters, and stress paths alone set this book apart and make it worthy of purchase. To that I would add the discussion of consolidation testing as well as estimation of magnitude and time rate of consolidation settlement. I sat in Prof. Holtz classroom at Purdue in 1982, and consequently have my bias.
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