Geotechnical Engineering

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EnmON

The author does not intend to be apologetic for adding yet another book to the existing list in
the field of Geotechnical Engineering. For onc thing, the number of books avaiiable cannot be
considered too large, although certain excellent reference books by Stalwarts in the field are
available. For another, the number of books by Indian Authors is only a few. Specifically speak.
ing, the number of books in this field in the S.I. System of Units is s mall, and books from Indian

authors are virtually negligible. This fact, coupled with the author's observation that not many

books are available designed specifically to meet the requirements of undergraduate curncu-
lum in Civil Engineering and Technology, has been the motivation to undertake this venture.

The special features of this book are as follows:

1. The S.L System of Units is adopted along with the equivalents in the M.K.S. Units in

some instances. (A note on the S.l. Units commonly used in Geotechnical Engineer-

ing is included).

2. Reference is made to the relevant Indian Standards·, wherever applicable, and ex-
   tracts from these are quoted for the benefit of the student as well a8 the practising
   engineer.


3. A 'few illustrative problems and problems for practice are given in the M.K.S. Units
   to facilitate those who continue to use these Units during the transition period.

4. The number of illustrative problems is fairly large compared to that in other books.

This aspect would be helpful to the student to appreciate the various types of prob-

lems likely t o be encountered.

5. The number of problems for practice at the end of each chapter is also fairly large.

The answers to the numerical Froblems are given at the end of the book.

6. The illustrative examples and problems are graded carefully with regard to the
   toughness.

7. A few objective questions are also included at the end. This feature would be useful

to students even during their preparation for competitive and other examinations

such as GATE.

B. "Summary of Main Points", given at the e nd of each Chapter, would be vcr)' helpful

to a student trying to brush up his preparatiun on the eve of the examination.

9. Chapter-wise references are given; t his is CODl,!idered a better way to encourage fur-

ther reading than a big Bibliography at the end.

• Note: References are invited to the latest editions ofthesc specifications for further details. These
  standards are available from India n Standards Institution, New Delhi and it.s Regional Branch and In-
  epection Offices at Ahmedabad, Bangalorc. Bhopal. llhubaneshwar. Bombay, Calcutta. Chandigarh,
  Hyderabad, Jaipur. Kanpur, Madras, Patnn. Pune and Trivilndrum.
  ix