Rigorous and technically deep -- yet accessible -- this up-to-date introduction to geotechnical engineering explores both the principles of soil mechanics and their application to engineering practice -- emphasizing the role of geotechnical engineering in real design projects. An accompanying CD provides supplementary software developed specifically for learning purposes -- e.g., SETTRATE. Discusses site exploration and characterization; soil composition; soil classification; excavation, grading, and compacted fill; groundwater -- fundamentals and applications; stress; compressibility and settlement; rate of consolidation; strength; stability of earth slope; dams and levees; lateral earth pressures and retaining walls; structural foundations; difficult soils; soil improvement; and geotechnical earthquake engineering. Makes extensive use of photographs and example problems. For geotechnical engineers, soils engineers, ground engineers, structural engineers, and civil engineers.