No building can be erected without foundation: an building pit must be excavated to create foundations. Soil mechanics is the theory of mechanical properties of soils, foundation engineering - the theory of stability of foundations and construction methods used for their production. This also includes predicting the deformation of the substrate. Due to the diversity of the manifestations of natural soils, subsoil investigations have to be carried out for larger construction projects and the mechanical properties of soils have to be investigated in the laboratory. The soil mechanics laboratory is therefore of central importance in this field.
Teaching
The courses provide knowledge about the material composition, hydraulic and mechanical properties of soil and the application of this knowledge for the design and stability verification of foundations. In addition, the most important construction methods are presented with which foundations can be built even under the most difficult conditions.
Research
In research, the institute deals with fundamental questions of the properties and settlement behavior of very soft sediments up to over-consolidated and partially saturated soils. In addition, projects are underway to optimize the technical properties and long-term behavior of landfill surface covers, freeze/thaw behavior, crack resistance of mineral seals and the stability of slope stabilization systems in waterways. Further investigations concern the structural changes of geosynthetic clay sealing membranes and the regressing erosion in connection with the stability of dykes and dams.
Contacts and addresses
Universität der Bundeswehr München
Department of soil mechanics and foundation engineering
bldg. 33, secretariat room 3252
85577 Neubiberg
Univ. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Conrad Boley
phone 089 6004-3476