Geotechnical Engineering

Soil Mechanics and other Geotechnical Topics at Bright Hub

Studying the behavior of earth materials is a vast subject that includes the study of soil properties, foundations, slopes, risk mitigation, and ground improvement methods. The following topics will guide you through much of the terminology and theory...

Ecology: Understanding Energy Flow in Biological Systems

Before learning about the difference between geological energy and biological energy, and how energy flows in each, let’s take a detailed look at both the energy forms and understand how they exist in nature.

Finding and Describing a Position on the Surface of the World

Latitude and longitude are used to define the absolute location of any place. This requires an accepted system of coordinates to be in place, and these are used to pinpoint the location of a place on the surface of the earth.

Geotechnical Topics: Soil Properties

The study of the chemical and physical properties of soil helps in managing resources while working with a particular kind of soil. Not all soils have similar properties, and working with them requires understanding soil properties in detail.

Mohs Scale of Hardness and Modern Materials

The ancient idea of testing the hardness of a particular rock by trying to scratch it with another rock was standardized in the early 1800s. This system is still in use today due to its ridiculous ease of use even though other systems have been developed...

Geotechnical Topics: Soil Compaction

Soil compaction means increasing soil density that makes working with soil easy, helps in erecting stable structures, and reduces maintenance costs. Read to learn about the desirable, and undesirable, effects of mechanical soil compaction on construction...

Geotechnical Topics: Soil Permeability

Soil permeability is a characteristic property of soil, and studying it helps to erect better structures, construct stable foundations, and perform agricultural activities. Permeability of soil depends upon various factors, and important related aspects...

Geotechnical Topics: Soil Formation

Understanding the soil formation process is the first step toward understanding the vastness and complexity of soil mechanics.

Geotechnical Topics: Soil Classification

Soil classification gives generalized information about the behavior and nature of soil belonging to a particular region or location. It also gives scientists, engineers, and agriculturists information about the kind of soil they are going to be dealing...

Groynes and Littoral Drift

A beach that requires constant replenishment or change in its sand dune structure is an ideal candidate for some sort of protection work which can prevent littoral drift. Groynes are one form of coastal protection which helps beaches retain their character...