The field of geotechnical Engineering includes some important applications as:
a) Foundation design b) Pavement Design c) Design of earth retaining structures
d) Design of earth dams e) Design of embankments f) Underground structures
a) Foundation design: Foundation is most important to require transmitting the load of structure to soil safely and efficiently. Bearing capacity of soil is essential to knowledge of stress distribution below the loaded area, settlement of foundation, effect of vibration, effect of ground water.
b) Pavement Design: A pavement is hard crust placed on soil for the purpose of providing a smooth and strong surface on which vehicles can move. Thickness of pavement depends upon subsoil and its component parts. It is also depend on the effect of repetition of loading intensity of traffic, construction materials, earth fills or cut etc.
c) Design of Earth Retaining Structures: When sufficient space is not available for a mass of soil to spread and form a slope, structure is required to retain the soil.
An earth retaining structure is also required to keep the soil at different levels on it either side. The retaining structure may be a rigid retaining wall or a sheet pile bulkhead which is relatively flexible. The knowledge of the active earth pressure, passive earth pressure, density and moisture content is essential for design of earth retaining structures. The geotechnical engineering gives the theory of earth pressure on retaining structures.
d) Design of Earthen Dams: In construction of earthen dam, soil is main
Constituent, This may be homogeneous and heterogeneous. Therefore, its design requires thorough knowledge of index properties, plasticity characteristics, particle size distribution, specific gravity, permeability, consolidation, compaction and shear Strength etc. Determination of optimum moisture content at which maximum Density will occur is most essential for the design of earthen dam.