Abstract
Nearly all engineering structures are supported in some way on natural earth materials; this inevitably creates an interaction between geological conditions and foundation analysis, design and construction. Thus, both geologists and geotechnical engineers have a vital role to play in many engineering operations which interact with the ground. In this paper, the interplay between geotechnical engineers and geologists is discussed.
To analyse and design geotechnical engineering works in urban areas, the practice of geotechnical engineers includes the study of the mechanical properties of natural earth materials and, very often, the use of mathematical models to describe the fundamental behaviour of these materials. With the help of recent advances in techniques of site investigation and laboratory testing, new insights into soil stress-strain relationships at small strains and recent stress history effects have been gained and are introduced in this paper. In addition, some mathematical soil models such as the non-linear Brick model, which has the capability to capture these new observed soil behaviour, is discussed and examined. The use of geological information in assisting the back-analysis of a case history in the city centre of Cambridge is illustrated. The ongoing processes of field monitoring and back-analysis can help to refine and improve our understanding of the behaviour of soil structure interactions, which in turn provides guidance for future design. It is intended that through the introduction, discussion and illustration, geologists will have a better understanding of soil behaviour. It is hoped that this understanding will help to create a better partnership between geologists and geotechnical engineers in the future.
