Introduction to Soil Mechanics

Understanding soil behavior is fundamental to geotechnical engineering, especially in mountainous regions prone to landslides and slope instability. This session delves into the theoretical aspects of soil mechanics, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of soil properties and their implications in geotechnical analysis.

Participants will get familiar with various laboratory experiments and techniques used to determine soil characteristics such as shear strength, compressibility, and permeability. Building upon data obtained from prior field excursions, and hand-on tests done during the session. The session will focus on analyzing and interpreting these results to assess slope stability and predict potential landslide scenarios.

Discussions will emphasize the practical application of soil mechanics theories in real-world contexts, enabling participants to connect theoretical knowledge with field observations. An important goal is to be able to understand which input parameters to choose for numerical modelling.

This collaborative environment aims to foster knowledge exchange and enhance participants’ skills in soil mechanics and geotechnical analysis.