Combined Soil Mechanics and Foundations Works

Soils in Construction

W.L. Schroeder, S.E. Dickenson and D.C. Warrington
Waveland Press (2004)

This is a unique textbook. Most soil mechanics and foundations textbooks are aimed at design professionals or engineering students; Soils in Construction is aimed at the contractor and the construction management student. It presents soil mechanics concepts in an easy to understand fashion. It includes many worked examples and illustrations to make understanding of the basic concepts simple.

Click here for more information on the book, including how to order.

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To order paper copies click here for Volume 1 and here for Volume 2.

Soils and Foundations Reference Manual

Naresh C. Samtani, PE, PhD and Edward A. Nowatzki, PE, PhD
FHWA-NHI–06-088
FHWA-NHI-06-089
December 2006

The Reference Manual for Soils and Foundations course is intended for design and construction professionals involved with the selection, design and construction of geotechnical features for surface transportation facilities. The manual is geared towards practitioners who routinely deal with soils and foundations issues but who may have little theoretical background in soil mechanics or foundation engineering. The manual’s content follows a project-oriented approach where the geotechnical aspects of a project are traced from preparation of the boring request through design computation of settlement, allowable footing pressure, etc., to the construction of approach embankments and foundations. Appendix A includes an example bridge project where such an approach is demonstrated. Recommendations are presented on how to layout borings efficiently, how to minimize approach embankment settlement, how to design the most cost-effective pier and abutment foundations, and how to transmit design information properly through plans, specifications, and/or contact with the project engineer so that the project can be constructed efficiently.

The objective of this manual is to present recommended methods for the safe, cost-effective design and construction of geotechnical features. Coordination between geotechnical specialists and project team members at all phases of a project is stressed. Readers are encouraged to develop an appreciation of geotechnical activities in all project phases that influence or are influenced by their work.

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California Geotechnical Manual

California Department of Transportration
March 2021

Caltrans Division of Engineering Services, Geotechnical Services (GS), has responsibility for development and implementation of uniform standards, procedures, and guidance for the geotechnical products and services for State Highway System Projects. The
Geotechnical Manual fulfills this responsibility by documenting the Department’s
geotechnical investigative, design, and reporting standards.  This manual is a comprehensive reference of virtually all aspects of geotechnical design and construction, especially as they relate to transportation applications.

The manual is a “living document” in that it is changing, section by section.  The copy here is put together from the various documents for your convenience, and is up to date as of March 2021.

Soils and Foundation Handbook 2017

Florida Department of Transportation

We also offer the 2004 edition of this work.

A very up-to-date reference on soils and foundations. Contains practical information on not only soils and foundations but also project organization and reporting. Contains much new technology lacking in the NAVFAC books, such as information on the Marchetti Dilatometer, SPT correction factors, Statnamic, detailed CPT information, and many other topics. Includes information on the following:

• Subsurface Investigation Procedures
• Subsurface Investigation Guidelines for Highways and Related Structures
• In-situ testing
• Laboratory Tests
• Materials Description, Classification and Logging
• Analysis and Design
• Presentation of Geotechnical Information
• Construction and Post-Construction Activities
• Determination of Design Skin Friction for Drilled Shafts Socketed in the Florida Limestone
• A complete list of ASTM and AASHTO Specifications for geotechnical work

Soils and Geology Procedures for Foundation Design of Buildings and Other Structures (except Hydraulic Structures)

Army TM 5-818-1
October 1983

This manual presents guidance for selecting and designing foundations and associated features for buildings, retaining structures, and machinery. Foundations for hydraulic structures are not included. Foundation design differs considerably from design of other elements of a structure because of the interaction between the structure and the supporting medium (soil and/or rock).

Information contained herein is directed toward construction usually undertaken on military reservations, although it is sufficiently general to permit its use on a wide variety of construction projects.

This manual includes:

1. A brief summary of fundamental volumetric – gravimetric relationships.
2. Summaries of physical and engineering properties of soil and rock.
3. General descriptions of field and laboratory investigations useful for foundation selection and design.
4. Design procedures for construction aspects, such as excavated slopes and shoring.
5. Empirical design equations and simplified methods of analysis, including design charts, soil property-index correlations, and tabulated data.
6. Selected design examples to illustrate use of the analytical methods.

Since the user is assumed to have some familiarity with geotechnical engineering, design equations and procedures are presented with a minimum of theoretical background and no derivations. The topics of dewatering and groundwater control, pile foundations, and foundations on expansive soils are covered in greater depth in separate technical manuals and are only treated briefly in this manual.

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Structure Design Guidelines for Load and Resistance Factor Design

Florida Department of Transportation

The Structures Design Guidelines (SDG), sets forth the basic Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) design criteria that are exceptions to those included in the AASHTO/LRFD Bridge Design Specifications published in Customary U.S. Units by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD), and hereinafter simply referred to as “LRFD.” These exceptions may be in the form of deletions from, additions to, or modifications of the LRFD specifications. AASHTO/LRFD and the Structures Design Guidelines (SDG) must always be used jointly and in concert with the FDOT’s Plans Preparation Manual (PPM) in order to properly prepare the contract plans and specifications for structural elements and/or systems that are included as part of the construction work in FDOT projects. Such elements and/or systems include, but are not necessarily limited to, bridges, overhead sign structures, earth retaining structures, and miscellaneous roadway appurtenances.