Introduction to Earthworks and Road Construction

[danielneivaamorim]

Hello guys,

Do you have any good bibliography to introduce the basic concepts of soil mechanics and specially earthworks and road engineering?

I'm a Geological Engineer (Portuguese) specialized in Geological Resources (oil & gas) and I've just started my career in a completely different direction my company is doing a national road in a rural zone in Mz.
Actually I'm in charge of a Geotechnical Lab in Mozambique (6 months already) and I've already got in touch with the most part of the lab test procedures and methods but I would like to learn a little bit more and to understand all the basics (think is very important to know why the things are done than just do it without understand).

Cheers,

DNA

 

[oldestguy]

I'm sure you will get many leads. Doing searches n line may help. A number of universities have on-line courses also.

https://books.google.com/books?id=vXNRAAAAMAAJ&source=gbs_book_other_versions

 

[BigH]

What I would suggest too is that you google DOT Geotechnical Manuals (of FHWA) - seems like almost every state in the USA has such a manual - and similiarly for asphalt, concrete and the like. Good place to start.

 

[oldestguy]

Big H gave me another idea. The US Army Corps of Engineers does a lot of civil engineer work and they have many manuals. A search in their publications list will come up with several.

Here is one that you can download and print out.

http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_1110-2-1906.pdf

 

[danielneivaamorim]

Thanks guys!
I'll take a look at it!

 

[Ron]

Daniel....in addition to the excellent suggestions above, you might look at the following:

Geotechnical Lab Texts by:
Braja Das
Joseph Bowles
Lamb (classic)

Pavement Design Texts by:
Yoder and Witczak (somewhat classic)
Huang
AASHTO Pavement Design Manual

Numerous Geotechnical Texts from the classics (Terzaghi and Peck) to contemporary (Coduto)

 

[BigH]

Ron's post got me thinking (sometimes dangerous) - but I strongly suggest obtaining a copy of the following books:

Rollings & Rollings, Geotechnical Materials in Construction, ISBN 0-07-053665-1
Monahan, Construction of Fills, ISBN 0-471-58523-8

Fang's 2nd Edition of Foundation Engineering Handbook (first edition was with Winterkorn) has a chapter on compaction by Hilf.