Critical State Soil Mechanics (CSSM) provides a complete theoretical framework for describing the mechanical behaviour of soil. Finite element techniques allow CSSM theories to be applied to the prediction of ground movements associated with foundations, excavations and other situations in geotechnical engineering. This book covers all the basic theory of CSSM and finite elements and contains a complete FORTRAN listing of a finite element program CRISP (Critical State Program), developed by research workers in the Cambridge University Soil Mechanics Group. Critical state theories describe soil as a two phase elasto-plastic yielding continuum, but the program also includes elastic descriptions of soil behaviour so that simpler analyses can be carried out if desired. Engineers often use finite element programs to predict the behaviour of structures made of steel, concrete, wood and composite materials when they are loaded by mechanical forces. The book describes many of the special techniques appropriate to the use of the finite element method in geotechnics. For example, soils continue to deform under constant loads as water flows through the pores.
The text includes the derivation of the finite element formulation of the fully coupled consolidation problem, with a simple, one-dimensional program showing how theory is turned into practice. Other features specific to geotechnical analyses are included, such as excavation and construction simulation.