Geotechnical Engineering: From Site Investigation to Foundation Design

Geotechnical Engineering: From Site Investigation to Foundation Design
by Sentayehu (Sente) Beyene Akalu, PE

Before a single structure rises, the earth beneath must be understood. Geotechnical Engineering: From Site Investigation to Foundation Design equips engineers, students, and design professionals with the knowledge and tools to do just that—starting from the ground up.

Blending clear explanations with real-world experience, this comprehensive guide walks you through the entire geotechnical process: from evaluating soil behavior and conducting field and lab tests, to selecting the right foundation and avoiding costly failures. Whether you're analyzing effective stress, planning a site investigation, or tackling slope stability, this book offers both foundational principles and practical insights for safe, efficient, and resilient design.

Inside you’ll find:

• A full walk-through of soil mechanics, classification, and stress behavior

• Guidance on planning and executing effective site investigations

• Foundation design principles for both shallow and deep systems

• Real-world case studies and field-tested tips

• Checklists, diagrams, and formulas for everyday reference

Written by a licensed professional engineer with decades of field experience, this book is ideal for early-career engineers, seasoned professionals refreshing their skills, and students eager to turn theory into practice.

Because great structures don't start above ground—they begin with understanding what lies beneath.