This book introduces the basic principles of engineering behaviour of soils. The text is designed in such a manner that the syllabi of a core course in Soil Mechanics/Geotechnical Engineering I prescribed in the curriculum of most of the Indian universities is covered. While reading the text, student experiences classroom teaching-learning process. An emphasis is made on explaining the various concepts rather than giving the procedure.
After reading this book, students should be able to:

• Give an engineering classification of a soil
• Understand the principle of effective stress, and then calculate stresses that influence soil behaviour
• Calculate water flow through ground and understand the effects of seepage on the stability of structures.

This textbook is primarily intended for the undergraduate students of civil engineering.

• Numerous numerical solved examples
• Objective Type Questions (with Answers) at the end of each chapter
• Use of SI Systems of units

M. PALANIKUMAR, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore. He has a vast experience in teaching the subjects related to Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of Civil Engineering. He is a life fellow of Indian Geotechnical Society and a life member of Institution of Engineers and Indian Society for Technical Education. An active consultant in geotechnical engineering, he has published/presented several papers in technical journals and conferences.