Geotechnical Engineering—A Historical Perspective

What is the definition of soil for engineering purposes as described in the text?

According to the historical overview, the construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in what year?

The historical development of geotechnical engineering between 1700 and 1927 is divided into four major periods. Which period is designated as 'Classical Soil Mechanics—Phase I'?

In 1717, French royal engineer Henri Gautier studied the natural slopes of soils. What was the unit weight he recommended for clean dry sand?

Who is credited with using the principles of calculus for maxima and minima in 1776 to determine the true position of the sliding surface in soil behind a retaining wall?

Which engineer was the first to use the symbol φ (phi) for soil friction angle and also provided the first ultimate bearing-capacity theory for shallow foundations in 1840?

In 1856, Henri Darcy published a study that defined a very useful parameter in geotechnical engineering. What was this parameter?

Who developed the theory of stress distribution under loaded bearing areas in a homogeneous, semiinfinite, elastic, and isotropic medium, published in 1885?

The modern soil mechanics period saw key developments in understanding clay properties. Around 1908, who defined clay-size fractions as particles smaller than 2 microns in size and explained soil consistency through liquid, plastic, and shrinkage limits?

Who is recognized as the 'father of modern soil mechanics' and published the celebrated book 'Erdbaumechanik' in 1925?

The first conference of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (ISSMFE) was held in what year and at what location?

Which landmark book, co-authored by Karl Terzaghi and Ralph Peck, was published in 1948?

At the second ISSMFE conference in Rotterdam in 1948, A. W. Skempton presented a landmark paper on what concept for clays?

In what year was the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (ISSMFE) renamed to the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) to reflect its true scope?

According to Table 1.2, who was the president of the ISSMFE/ISSMGE from 1969 to 1973?

Professor Ralph B. Peck, a giant of the profession, worked as an assistant to Karl Terzaghi from 1939 to 1943 on which major project?

In what year did Ralph B. Peck receive the National Medal of Science from President Gerald R. Ford?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa weighs about 15,700 metric tons and is supported by a circular base. What is the approximate diameter of this base?

The Garisenda Tower in Bologna, built in the 12th century, has tilted about 4 degrees. What is its approximate height?

In 1746, Francois Gadroy reported the results of the first laboratory model test on a retaining wall. What was the height of this model wall?

Which engineer, in 1846, provided details for deep slips in clay slopes and theorized that failure occurs when mobilized cohesion exceeds the existing cohesion, with failure surfaces approximated as arcs of cycloids?

The publication by William John Macquorn Rankine in 1857 provided a notable theory that is considered a simplification of whose earlier work?

Who demonstrated the phenomenon of dilatancy in sand in 1887?

Wolmar Fellenius developed the stability analysis of saturated clay slopes based on what two key assumptions?

Karl Terzaghi's research on the theory of consolidation, which spanned from 1919 to 1924, was primarily conducted while he was teaching at a college in which city?

How many individuals and countries were represented at the first ISSMFE conference at Harvard University in 1936?

According to the list of topics covered at the first ISSMFE conference in 1936, which of the following was NOT mentioned?

What is the name of the international journal of soil mechanics that began publication in England in 1948?

According to Table 1.1, the IX ISSMFE conference was held in 1977. In which city did it take place?

Which ISSMGE Technical Committee for the 1997-2001 period was designated TC-4?

What branch of civil engineering is described as involving natural materials found close to the surface of the earth and including the application of soil mechanics and rock mechanics principles?

What was the primary cause identified for the tilting of the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

In Bernard Forest de Belidor's 1729 textbook, what unit weight was specified for clay?

What was the significance of the year 1857 in the context of Classical Soil Mechanics—Phase I?

Jean Fontard's investigation into the failure of the 17-m high earth dam at Charmes involved conducting what type of tests on clay specimens?

Arthur Langley Bell, based on his work at Rosyth Dockyard, used which tests to measure the undrained shear strength of undisturbed clay specimens?

Where did Karl Terzaghi receive his Doctor of Technical Sciences degree in January 1912?

In his 1939 James Forrest Lecture, Karl Terzaghi proclaimed that most foundation failures were no longer what?

Which regional conference on geotechnical engineering was the first to be held, taking place in Stockholm in 1954?

The book 'The Measurement of Soil Properties in the Triaxial Text' was published in 1957 and is considered an important milestone. Who were the authors?

According to Table 1.2, who was the first president of the ISSMFE, serving from 1936 to 1957?

What was the last major international conference attended by Professor Ralph B. Peck?

Dykes dating back to approximately 2000 B.C. were built in the basin of which river to protect the town of Mohenjo Dara?

The Asinelli Tower in Bologna, a counterpart to the Garisenda Tower, is 97 m high and weighs 7300 metric tons. What is its approximate degree of tilt?

Henri Gautier's 1717 study on the 'angle of repose' determined what natural slope for ordinary earth?

Who were the two French engineers mentioned as having studied special cases of Coulomb's work in 1820, related to inclined backfills and surcharges?

According to Table 1.1, the XV ISSMGE Conference was held in 2001. In which city was it located?

According to Table 1.2, which engineer from Japan served as president of the ISSMGE from 1997-2001?

Which of these was NOT listed as one of Ralph B. Peck's major consulting projects after his retirement?

The publication of Karl Terzaghi's 'Erdbaumechanik' in 1925 is considered the birth of a new era. What was the primary result of the research detailed in this book?