The British Academy for Training and Development offers this training program in Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Investigation Techniques, designed to provide engineers and technical professionals with a solid foundation in soil behavior and modern geotechnical site investigation methods.

Understanding soil mechanics is crucial for safe and efficient foundation design and construction, while effective geotechnical investigations ensure accurate assessment of subsurface conditions, minimizing risks and optimizing project outcomes. This course blends theoretical knowledge with practical approaches to soil testing and data interpretation, empowering participants to make informed decisions in geotechnical engineering projects.

Who Should Attend?

• Geotechnical and civil engineers involved in site investigations and foundation design.

• Engineering geologists and field technicians.

• Construction managers and supervisors overseeing ground works.

• Consultants and contractors specializing in geotechnical projects.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• Understand fundamental principles of soil mechanics and soil behavior.

• Learn standard and advanced techniques for geotechnical site investigations.

• Acquire skills in soil sampling, in-situ testing, and laboratory analysis.

• Develop capability to interpret geotechnical data for engineering decisions.

• Improve safety and reliability in foundation and earthworks projects.

• 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