Amazon.com description: Product Description: This book combines the essential components of Braja Das' market leading texts, PRINCIPLES OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING and PRINCIPLES OF FOUNDATION ENGINEERING. It includes the fundamental concepts of soil mechanics as well as foundation engineering, including bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations (spread footings and mats), retaining walls, raced cuts, piles, and drilled shafts. Intended as an introductory text, the book stresses the fundamental principles without becoming cluttered with excessive details and alternatives. While featuring a wealth of worked-out examples and figures that help students with theory and problem-solving skills, Das maintains the careful balance of current research and practical field applications that has made has made his books the leaders in the fields.