Table of contents : Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Preface -- Author -- Chapter 1 Geotechnical characterization: In situ testing -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Geotechnical investigation -- 1.2.1 Preliminary surface survey -- 1.2.2 Geophysical investigation -- 1.2.2.1 Introduction -- 1.2.2.2 Electrical resistivity method -- 1.2.2.3 Seismic refraction method -- 1.2.2.4 Spectral-analysis-of-surface-waves (SASW) method -- 1.2.2.5 Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) -- 1.2.3 Geomechanical investigation -- 1.2.3.1 Introduction -- 1.2.3.2 Trial pits and shafts 1.2.3.3 Borehole drilling -- 1.2.3.4 Rotary coring -- 1.2.4 Note on undisturbed soil sampling -- 1.2.4.1 Introduction -- 1.2.4.2 Direct sampling -- 1.2.4.3 Indirect sampling -- 1.2.4.4 Sampling of sands -- 1.3 In situ testing -- 1.3.1 Introduction -- 1.3.2 Standard penetration test (SPT) -- 1.3.2.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure -- 1.3.2.2 SPT corrections -- 1.3.2.3 Equipment calibration -- 1.3.2.4 Correlations of (N1)60 with soil properties and parameters -- 1.3.3 Cone penetrometer test (CPT/CPTu) 1.3.3.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure: measured parameters -- 1.3.3.2 Interpretation of results: soil classification charts -- 1.3.3.3 Correlations with soil characteristics and parameters -- 1.3.4 Dynamic probing test (DP) -- 1.3.4.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure -- 1.3.4.2 Comment regarding the use of dynamic probing tests: interpretation of results -- 1.3.5 Vane shear test (VST) -- 1.3.5.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure -- 1.3.5.2 Interpretation of test results for deriving cu -- 1.3.6 Plate load test (PLT) 1.3.6.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure -- 1.3.6.2 Interpretation of results -- 1.3.6.3 Final remark -- 1.3.7 Cross-hole seismic test (CHT) -- 1.3.7.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure -- 1.3.7.2 Interpretation of results -- 1.3.7.3 Final remark -- 1.3.8 Down-hole seismic tests -- 1.3.9 Self-boring pressuremeter test (SBPT) -- 1.3.9.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure -- 1.3.9.2 Interpretation of results -- 1.3.10 Ménard pressuremeter test (PMT) -- 1.3.10.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure 1.3.10.2 Interpretation of results -- 1.3.11 Flat dilatometer test (DMT) -- 1.3.11.1 Essential aspects of the equipment and test procedure -- 1.3.11.2 Interpretation of results -- 1.3.12 Tests for permeability characterization -- 1.3.12.1 Pumping tests -- 1.3.12.2 Borehole or Lefranc tests -- 1.4 Global overview on site characterization -- 1.4.1 Summary of in situ tests -- 1.4.2 In situ versus laboratory tests -- 1.4.2.1 Introduction -- 1.4.2.2 Advantages and limitations of laboratory tests -- 1.4.2.3 Advantages and limitations of in situ tests