The book offers systematic dynamic analysis of soils and their engineering applications, including machine foundations, and aims to develop a clear understanding of the subject. It comprises sixteen chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the reader to the various problems in soil dynamics. In Chapter 2, concepts of theory of vibrations are discussed along with their applications in designing Vibration Absorbers and Pickups. Wave propagation in elastic medium including wave refraction in layered medium is covered in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 deals with the procedure of determining dynamic properties of soils using various laboratory and field tests. Dynamic earth pressures in retaining walls and dynamic bearing capacity of footings are dealt with in Chapters 5 and 6 respectively. Chapters 7and 8 respectively deal with dynamic behavior of pile foundations and slopes. Causes of liquefaction of soils and prediction of liquefaction potential have been discussed in Chapter 9. In Chapter 10, the procedure of estimating the unbalanced forces in various types of machines are covered. Chapters 11, 12 and 13 deal with the analysis and design of foundations of reciprocating machine, hammer, and turbo-generators respectively. In Chapter 14, problems of vibration isolation and screening are dealt with. Chapter 15 discusses the analysis and design of reinforced earth wall located in seismic areas. A new concept of a conventional rigid retaining wall having reinforced backfill is presented in Chapter 16, giving complete analysis and design procedure considering seismic forces.
Dr Swami Saran, Emeritus Fellow (Retd.) from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, obtained a PhD in 1969. An established teacher, researcher, and active consultant, he is the recipient of Khosla Research Awards (4 times), IGS Awards (6 times) including the prestigious Kuckulmann Award and also awards from ISET, ISTE, and ISCMS. He has guided 29 PhD theses, 84 Masters theses, published 208 research papers and 8 books. He has initiated research work on Reinforced Soil, Analysis of Foundations using Constitutive Laws and Dynamic Analysis of Retaining Walls. He has provided Consultancy to more than 300 projects of national importance. He visited the UK in 1974 under Exchange Program and AIT Bangkok as Visiting Professor in 1987. A National Conference was organized at IIT Roorkee in 2007 to honour him. Considering his contributions, Indian Geotechnical Society conferred Honorary fellowship on him in 2011.
