Geotechnical Testing, Observation, and Documentation is an in-depth field manual for soil technicians and geotechnical engineers. This indispensable reference guide – designed for use during the investigation, grading, and construction phases of geotechnical projects – has helped thousands of readers understand common laboratory and field tests, classify soil accurately, interpret project recommendations, and document the entire construction monitoring process. This updated and expanded edition offers new material on topics such as deep foundations, shallow foundations, retaining walls, and loss prevention.

Sample test questions appear at the end of every chapter, and a comprehensive case study presents each step of a sample project, from site investigation and lab work through construction and documentation. A quick reference chapter summarizes current tools and references, evaluates compaction equipment, and presents frequently used formulas and equations. The appendixes offer a glossary with more than 500 geotechnical terms, an answer key to chapter questions, and a collection of blank ready-to-use forms. This book is valuable for training new technicians and providing a refresher course for veterans, as well as assisting soil technicians contemplating the NICET or ICC certification exams will find Tim Davis’s book an essential test preparation aid. 225 pp.