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Fundamentals of Soil Dynamics
Geoderma, 33 (1984) 255--257
255
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - P r i n t e d in The Netherlands
Book Reviews
Fundamentals of Soil Dynamics. B.M. Das. Elsevier, New York, N.Y., 1983, xiii + 399 pp., US$39.50. This book is concerned with the fundamentals of soil dynamics as related to the design of foundations for vibratory loading, airblast loading on ground and foundations, and earthquake effects including lateral earth pressures on retaining walls and liquefaction. It consists of eleven Chapters. The first four chapters deal with the fundamentals of vibration and stress waves propagation theory. Chapters 5 and 6 cover the analysis of foundation vibration using the theories of elastic half space and lumped parameter system, respectively. Chapter 7 examines the dynamic bearing capacity of shallow foundations. Chapter 8 introduces general characteristics of earthquake ground motion. The last three chapters discuss the dynamic lateral earth pressure on retaining structures, the compressibility of soils under dynamic loads, and the evaluation of liquefaction potential. The book has been developed for teaching an introductory course for graduate students. The presentation of the fundamentals of vibration theory is traditional and emphasizes the analysis of single degree of freedom systems. The basic concepts of wave propagation theory in one and three dimensions are introduced, and their application to field and laboratory testing is given. The stresses and displacements caused by air blast loading (nuclear explosion) are also discussed. The basics of the vibration of foundations supported on an elastic medium are presented for the vertical, sliding, torsional and rocking modes. Lumped parameter solutions are also given for these modes. The effects of embedment, depth to rigid base, inhomogeneity, anisotropy and nonlinearity of soil on the foundation performance are not extensively discussed. The chapter on dynamic bearing capacity of shallow foundations is comprehensive and provides a good analysis of transient loading. The presentation of earthquake related problems is an introduction to the subject. Important contributions and references are sometimes missing. The description of the characteristics of earthquake ground motion can be misleading to the unaware reader, because the limitations of the proposed relationships between parameters are not clearly stated. The application of finite element techniques to vibration of horizontal layers and soil--structure interaction is not discussed. The chapter on liquefaction outlines the basic problems involved in the evaluation of liquefaction potential and discusses in detail the simplified procedure developed by Seed and Idriss in 1971. However, it doesn't provide a comprehensive review of recent developments, such as cyclic torsional tests, field techniques, numerical analysis, etc. This book has the advantage over similar texts of attempting to cover a wide range of soil dynamics problems, including earthquake related problems.
256
It can be used as a t e x t b o o k for an introductory course dealing with all these problems, but additional references and reading material will be needed to adequately cover topics such as foundation vibration and liquefaction. J.-L. CHAMEAU (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Dictionary of Geotechnics. S.H. Somerville and M.A. Paul. Butterworth, London, 1983, 283 pp. £stg. 20.00.
Dictionary of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. J.A. Barker. Construction Press, Longman House, 1981, 210 pp. £stg. 12.50. Geotechnical engineering is a relatively young and developing subject. Thus, these two dictionaries are vital tools for everyone studying or working in the fields of geotechnical engineering, as well as for those who by the nature of their professions and interests, from time to time require basic information about the subject. The Butterworth dictionary includes over 1600 terms while the Longman dictionary contains over 2500 entries giving definitions and supplementary information on the terms and apparatus used in soil and rock engineering, geology and geomorphology, site investigation, in-situ instrumentation, dewatering, foundation engineering, earthmoving and compaction, trenching and excavation. The Longman dictionary does not include any diagrams, except a drawing for locating the centre of rotation of critical slip circle in Fellenius' method. Many diagrams and practical information with typical tabulated values and results are however presented in the Butterworth dictionary with a corresponding reduction of the number of entries. In the Butterworth dictionary, reference material has been included to point the reader towards additional study where necessary, rather than to include a greater number of shorter entries. An alternative solution was adopted by the author of the Longman dictionary who gives much thought to the cross-referencing of all the entries. Thus, the information included in the two dictionaries is complementary. Both dictionaries are works of day-to-day reference and educational texts for engineers and contractors, as well as for degree and postgraduate students of geotechnical subjects. M.E. P O P E S C U (Bucharest)
255
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - P r i n t e d in The Netherlands
Book Reviews
Fundamentals of Soil Dynamics. B.M. Das. Elsevier, New York, N.Y., 1983, xiii + 399 pp., US$39.50. This book is concerned with the fundamentals of soil dynamics as related to the design of foundations for vibratory loading, airblast loading on ground and foundations, and earthquake effects including lateral earth pressures on retaining walls and liquefaction. It consists of eleven Chapters. The first four chapters deal with the fundamentals of vibration and stress waves propagation theory. Chapters 5 and 6 cover the analysis of foundation vibration using the theories of elastic half space and lumped parameter system, respectively. Chapter 7 examines the dynamic bearing capacity of shallow foundations. Chapter 8 introduces general characteristics of earthquake ground motion. The last three chapters discuss the dynamic lateral earth pressure on retaining structures, the compressibility of soils under dynamic loads, and the evaluation of liquefaction potential. The book has been developed for teaching an introductory course for graduate students. The presentation of the fundamentals of vibration theory is traditional and emphasizes the analysis of single degree of freedom systems. The basic concepts of wave propagation theory in one and three dimensions are introduced, and their application to field and laboratory testing is given. The stresses and displacements caused by air blast loading (nuclear explosion) are also discussed. The basics of the vibration of foundations supported on an elastic medium are presented for the vertical, sliding, torsional and rocking modes. Lumped parameter solutions are also given for these modes. The effects of embedment, depth to rigid base, inhomogeneity, anisotropy and nonlinearity of soil on the foundation performance are not extensively discussed. The chapter on dynamic bearing capacity of shallow foundations is comprehensive and provides a good analysis of transient loading. The presentation of earthquake related problems is an introduction to the subject. Important contributions and references are sometimes missing. The description of the characteristics of earthquake ground motion can be misleading to the unaware reader, because the limitations of the proposed relationships between parameters are not clearly stated. The application of finite element techniques to vibration of horizontal layers and soil--structure interaction is not discussed. The chapter on liquefaction outlines the basic problems involved in the evaluation of liquefaction potential and discusses in detail the simplified procedure developed by Seed and Idriss in 1971. However, it doesn't provide a comprehensive review of recent developments, such as cyclic torsional tests, field techniques, numerical analysis, etc. This book has the advantage over similar texts of attempting to cover a wide range of soil dynamics problems, including earthquake related problems.
256
It can be used as a t e x t b o o k for an introductory course dealing with all these problems, but additional references and reading material will be needed to adequately cover topics such as foundation vibration and liquefaction. J.-L. CHAMEAU (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Dictionary of Geotechnics. S.H. Somerville and M.A. Paul. Butterworth, London, 1983, 283 pp. £stg. 20.00.
Dictionary of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. J.A. Barker. Construction Press, Longman House, 1981, 210 pp. £stg. 12.50. Geotechnical engineering is a relatively young and developing subject. Thus, these two dictionaries are vital tools for everyone studying or working in the fields of geotechnical engineering, as well as for those who by the nature of their professions and interests, from time to time require basic information about the subject. The Butterworth dictionary includes over 1600 terms while the Longman dictionary contains over 2500 entries giving definitions and supplementary information on the terms and apparatus used in soil and rock engineering, geology and geomorphology, site investigation, in-situ instrumentation, dewatering, foundation engineering, earthmoving and compaction, trenching and excavation. The Longman dictionary does not include any diagrams, except a drawing for locating the centre of rotation of critical slip circle in Fellenius' method. Many diagrams and practical information with typical tabulated values and results are however presented in the Butterworth dictionary with a corresponding reduction of the number of entries. In the Butterworth dictionary, reference material has been included to point the reader towards additional study where necessary, rather than to include a greater number of shorter entries. An alternative solution was adopted by the author of the Longman dictionary who gives much thought to the cross-referencing of all the entries. Thus, the information included in the two dictionaries is complementary. Both dictionaries are works of day-to-day reference and educational texts for engineers and contractors, as well as for degree and postgraduate students of geotechnical subjects. M.E. P O P E S C U (Bucharest)