Subsoil investigations, sheeting and bracing, control of groundwater, shallow foundations, piles and pile foundations. Examines the nature of particulate media and their description and characteristics. Compares deterministic and probabilistic approaches to the action and reaction of structures of, on, or in soil when subjected to loadings. Considers uncertainties in material parameters and their effect on designs. Stability is assessed in terms of reliability as well as customary factors of safety.
Emphasis is placed on contrasting the models with the constitutive behavior of real soil.