Correctly assessing the shear strength of soils is often a critical component of geotechnical engineering design. This course examines fundamental concepts of shear strength and the engineering behind the specification and interpretation of field and laboratory tests to obtain reliable shear strengths for practical design. Shear strength assessment using laboratory tests, field tests, correlations, and analytical techniques will be discussed. Along with addressing general soil types, like clays and sands; the special categories of compacted clay, low-plasticity silts, and organic clays and peats will be covered.

Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering is a practical short course that covers the basics of earthquake geology and engineering seismology, procedures for evaluating the seismic stability of slopes and retaining walls, and procedures for evaluating liquefaction potential and associated phenomena.

Soil Strength and Slope Stability is a practical short course that covers the factors that determine drained and undrained strengths of soils, and methods of evaluating the stability of slopes using computer programs and simple approximate methods. For more information please read the following brochure.

Geotechnical Applications of Geophysical Methods is an introductory short course on how proven geophysical methods can be used to compliment traditional subsurface investigations, and which geophysical methods are best suited for particular geotechnical engineering applications and sites.

Soil Improvement: Technologies, Design, and Performance is a practical short course that covers a wide range of soil improvement technologies, including blast densification, compaction piles, deep dynamic compaction, vibro-compaction, vibro-stone columns, deep soil mixing, permeation grouting, compaction grouting, jet grouting, gravel drains, electro-osmosis, freezing, and heating. Technology applicability, degree of improvement, design, performance, and QA/QC are all addressed. Seismic applications are emphasized.Brochure

Specifying and Interpreting Geotechnical Lab Tests is a practical short course on selecting appropriate soil laboratory tests, establishing proper test parameters, and interpreting test results to characterize soil behavior for geotechnical engineering applications. Course participants will gain familiarity with these and other topics related to specifying and interpreting geotechnical laboratory tests. Hands-on testing and laboratory demonstrations are not part of the course. Course Notes Available

This course was offered in a two-day format in San Francisco, CA on July 17-18, 2003 and in Long Beach, CA on July 21-22, 2003. Settlement of Structures and Embankments is a practical short course focusing on methods and tools for estimating and controlling settlements of buildings, embankments, landfills, and bridges. Dr. J. Michael Duncan and Dr. George M. Filz taught the course. Participants received comprehensive course notes and software programs (CONSOL 3.0, SetCalc 1.0, ZSTRESS 2.0, SchmertmannStrainInfluence worksheet). Course Notes Available

This course was offered in Dulles, Virginia on April 25, 2000. Professor Mitchell and Professor Martin covered the characteristics and distributions of earthquakes in the Eastern U.S., methods for estimating the potential shaking intensity and duration, and recent developments in building codes and sources of information for engineering design. The latest procedures for evaluating the liquefaction potential at specific sites were presented. Course Notes Available.

This course has been offered three times -- in Richmond, Virginia in May 22, 1998, in Long Beach, California on July 23, 1999, and in San Francisco, California on July 26, 1999. The course was taught by Professor Duncan and Professor Stephen Wright of the University of Texas at Austin. Course Notes Available

This course has been offered once -- in Baltimore, Maryland on October 30, 1998. This course was taught by Professor Mitchell and several experienced practitioners from notable national consulting and specialty contracting firms.