History and Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering (Webinar)

In History and Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering, you'll learn ...

• The roots of geotechnical practice through ancient civilizations who laid the groundwork for modern techniques through observation and ingenuity
• How soil and foundation engineering has evolved into a cornerstone of modern infrastructure design
• Essential geotechnical engineering principles-covering topics such as bearing capacity, slope stability, lateral earth pressures, seismic hazards like liquefaction, and soil improvement techniques

Overview

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This presentation is designed for engineers from all disciplines who want a clearer understanding of geotechnical engineering concepts, as well as for geotechnical professionals with an interest in the history of their field. While the course covers basic geotechnical topics, it also offers valuable historical and technical context that highlights how soil and foundation engineering has evolved into a cornerstone of modern infrastructure design.

The course begins by tracing the roots of geotechnical practice through ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who laid the groundwork for modern techniques through observation and ingenuity. It follows the timeline through the scientific advancements of the 18th and 19th centuries, culminating in the birth of modern soil mechanics in the early 20th century. Key contributors such as Coulomb, Rankine, Atterberg, Terzaghi, and Casagrande are highlighted for their lasting influence on the profession.

The second part of the course introduces essential geotechnical engineering principles-covering topics such as bearing capacity, slope stability, lateral earth pressures, seismic hazards like liquefaction, and soil improvement techniques. Foundational concepts are reinforced with examples from modern practice, making this course an excellent resource for engineers seeking continuing education or a stronger grasp of the geotechnical perspective in project design and execution. Designed for engineers, builders, architects, project managers, QA professionals, academics, and students, this course provides a solid foundation in both the history and technical fundamentals of geotechnical engineering.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Summarize historical milestones in geotechnical engineering from ancient to modern times.
• Describe the contributions of early civilizations to foundation and earthwork practices.
• Identify key developments and figures from the preclassical, classical, and modern soil mechanics periods.
• Explain the basic concepts of bearing capacity, settlement, and foundation types.
• Describe earth-retaining systems and their components.
• Explain the fundamental principles of slope stability and common causes of slope failure.
• Describe the fundamentals of geotechnical earthquake engineering, including ground shaking and liquefaction.
• Identify basic ground improvement techniques.