Design and Performance of Embankments on Very Soft Soils

Even if it is an important topic in geotechnical engineering, embankments on soft or very soft soils have been the subject of few books and, to my knowledge, none recently published. This book "Design and Performance of Embankments on Very Soft Soils" is thus very welcome.

The authors [...] have an excellent knowledge of advanced soil mechanics and of new technologies for both characterizing soft soil deposits and solving settlement or stability problems, as well as field monitoring and interpretation. The book reflects this state-of-the-art knowledge. Soils are described using modern concepts of yielding and yield curves; sampling quality is considered; the use and interpretation of DMT, T-bar and piezocone soundings are described. Technologies for reducing and/or accelerating settlements and for improving stability are also described.

With this book in English, in addition to the general technical aspects previously mentioned, Professors Márcio Almeida and Esther Marques offer the geotechnical community the remarkable and unique Brazilian experience with embankments on very soft organic soils.

Serge Leroueil, Department of Civil and Water Engineering, Laval University, Quebec City, PQ, Canada