Books on the history of geotech and how it’s devloped over time? 2

[SAN_DIEGO_GEO]

Hi all,

I have ordered the book written on KVT. Sounds like it should be a good book. But I am curious if any of you have any recommendations on a book on the actually history of Geotech (when subsurface work started, what methods where used and how it progressed etc..). Particularly, a book that goes back further than Tarzaghi.

Any recommendations are appericiated !!

Thanks

 

[Okiryu]

If that book is Erdbaumechanik, I think that is the first one for soil mechanics. For pile foundations, Chellis book is a classic. Also you can search for old ASCE or Enginnering News Record papers.

 

[SAN_DIEGO_GEO]

Im not looking for analysis or design books but an actual history of the development of geotech as an industry and as a discipline.

 

[Okiryu]

Perhaps oldestguy can share something here...

OG if you are around, would love to see you input!

 

[Ron]

Try this link....

http://www.worldcat.org/title/history-of-geotechnical-engineering-up-until-1700/oclc/535220498

 

[oldestguy]

OG here:
Sorry guys, not much can be added. My undergrad and grad. soils eng prof (and later employed by) was B.K Hough who had grad. classes from Terzaghi and others at Harvard; apparently was acquainted with Peck, but had little respect for him. Hough gave me his copy of the text by Tergazhi (in German), which I have since passed on to an engineering friend. Hough started in at US Corps of Eng. working on dams. In my later other jobs one company used Osterberg as an expert guiding us in a few law suites. I got along good with him since we both were of Swedish lineage.

I'll add one question. Who was it that first coined the word "geotech"? I know it happened about in the late 50's or early 60's and I was not fond of it at all and reluctantly adopted it. Supposedly placed the soils engineering field higher in respect standing among engineers??

A later edit: In this link my question may be answered, but lots of info here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_von_Terzaghi

 

[oldestguy]

While somewhat changing the goal, here is a link about Osterberg. One thing not mentioned is the only car he drove was a Volvo.

https://www.nap.edu/read/13338/chapter/39#214

 

[SlideRuleEra]

San Diego Geo - One reason you are not finding much is that "Geotechnical" is a modern term, in common use since the 1970's. You may have more luck searching using terms such as "Soil Mechanics" or "Foundation Design".

Reasonably accurate subsurface investigations (soil borings) were used in the 19th century, long before Terzaghi . The equipment was similar to what is used today; but steam powered. Historically, I believe a common use was for design of lighthouses. Terzaghi's contribution was how to better interpret the soil boring findings, making the results more useful.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[Doctormo]

From a quick internet search:

http://aashtoresource.org/docs/defa...-and-terzaghi---printer-friendly.pdf?sfvrsn=0

Seems to be a nice summary of the "beginning" and I am sure there are many like it.

 

[SAN_DIEGO_GEO]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

 

[Okiryu]

Found also this interesting:

http://wap.sciencenet.cn/blogview.aspx?id=21374