CGCivil Geo Tools

Geotechnical Engineering

Practical engineering resources with formulas, examples, assumptions, limitations, and clear internal links to related calculators.

5 min

Active, Passive, and At-Rest Earth Pressure

Active, passive, and at-rest earth pressure explained for retaining walls and braced excavations.

5 min

Cohesion and Friction Angle Explained

Cohesion and friction angle explained as soil strength parameters for geotechnical calculations.

5 min

Expansive Clay Soil Explained

Expansive clay soil explained, including shrink-swell behavior, moisture changes, and foundation implications.

5 min

Factor of Safety in Slope Stability

Factor of safety in slope stability explained with interpretation, uncertainty, and practical use.

5 min

How Drainage Affects Retaining Walls

How drainage affects retaining walls and why water pressure often controls wall distress.

5 min

How to Read a Geotechnical Report

How to read a geotechnical report, including borings, lab data, groundwater, recommendations, and limitations.

5 min

Soil Unit Weight Explained

Soil unit weight explained for geotechnical calculations, including total, dry, saturated, and effective unit weight.

5 min

Terzaghi Bearing Capacity Explained

Terzaghi bearing capacity equation explained with terms, assumptions, and practical limitations.

5 min

Ultimate vs Allowable Bearing Capacity

Difference between ultimate and allowable bearing capacity, including factors of safety and serviceability limits.

5 min

USCS Soil Classification Explained

USCS soil classification explained with coarse/fine fractions, plasticity, and engineering interpretation.

5 min

What Is an Infinite Slope Model?

Infinite slope model explained for shallow planar slope stability screening.

5 min

What Is Bearing Capacity?

Bearing capacity explained for shallow foundations, including ultimate capacity, allowable pressure, settlement, and field checks.

5 min

What Is Plasticity Index?

Plasticity index explained for soil classification, clay behavior, and geotechnical interpretation.

5 min

What Is Undrained Shear Strength?

Undrained shear strength explained for saturated clays and short-term stability checks.

5 min

Why Retaining Walls Fail

Why retaining walls fail, including drainage, surcharge, sliding, overturning, bearing, and construction issues.