Soil Engineering for Non-Soils Engineers and Technicians

This fundamental, hands-on course will give you a working knowledge of soil behavior and concepts related to applied soil engineering. You'll understand concepts and visualize concepts and solutions rather than rigorous mathematics, theory, and research.

• Technicians and inspectors
• Project engineers and managers
• Architects and landscape architects
• Facility engineers and physical plant staff
• Geologists and earth scientists
• Civil and other engineers
• Construction personnel
• Industry tech/sales representatives
• Public works professionals
• Engineers-in-training
• Attorneys and mediators

This course is intended for those who have no formal geotechnical education but are working in this field and need to develop an understanding of the basics. You will learn concepts and solutions rather than rigorous mathematics, theory, and research.

Review of Soil Properties and Applications

Soil Investigations, Boring Logs, Reporting, and Specifications 

Demonstration of Field Classification and Testing of Soil Samples

Vertical Earth Pressures and Stresses

Soil Strength and Foundations

Bearing Ratio

Importance of Water in Soil

Lateral Earth Pressures on Walls and Basements, Trenches, and Bracing 

How and Why Soil Compresses and Settles

Soil Compaction and Field Control

Slope Stability and Excavation Support

The Mysterious Soils Wizard Procedures for Earthworks

Applications of Geosynthetic in Soil

“Great overview of all aspects of soils engineering…instructors demonstrated great enjoyment for subject material - made class very enjoyable!”

Paul V. MacHalek, General Service Administration

“Great overview of soils.  Great refresher course! Also helped with applying theory with the actual application.

 Amber Stoffels, BNSF Railway

“Very professional, friendly and knowledgeable instructors.”

Chris Beyer, USBR

“Really appreciated case studies, anecdotes, rules of thumb, tables, photos, and references in handouts, and excellent presentation style — thanks!”

Julia Grim, USD-NRCS 

“Best course I have attended…Very well done. Will recommend to others.”

Jeff Sharp, Pierce County, WA

“Great balance of instructional methods - screen, overhead, photos/videos, lab demonstrations, and…the jokes!”

Chris Meyer, Sargento

“This course has helped me understand the concepts that the engineers are talking about.”

 Howard Wade, Abbott

“The Soils Magician was a true highlight of the course. My face hurst from laughing.”

 David Sipple, P.E., Neenah Foundry

“I’m a mechanical engineer in a position that requires lots of civil and electrical engineering knowledge. For the civil info, this class helped tremendously to widen my knowledge base…The presenters were both very entertaining and knowledgeable and kept my attention. Delivered this info in a way that was extremely easy to understand.”

Mandy Wipf,  WAPA 

“This class reinforces construction ideas and methods for correct engineering solutions.”

 Curt Hora, P.E., Iowa Army National Guard

“Great humor!  Excellent speakers. Currently have a contractor forcefully proposing “hydraulic compaction” with flooded sand. Now I have some reasons to explain to owner why not to use this.”

Tred Schnoor, Schnoor-Bonifazi Engineering

David Elton

David Elton, PhD., P.E., F. ASCE, O.E., S.M., taught geotechnical engineering for over 25 years, at the university level and in countless short courses. His teaching is marked by humor, insights into the profession and burdensome homework assignments, for which he has received notoriety amongst students. He is a professional civil engineer with degrees from Clarkson College of Technology, Utah State University, and Purdue University. When he ran out of degrees, he had to work for a living for whoever would take him; first at The Citadel and later Auburn University, where he is a vested member of the Alabama Retirement System. His accomplishments include dozens of very dry technical papers, a few book chapters, two books, editorships, the presidency of the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS!), and numerous teaching and research awards that paper his office walls. He’s been honored with membership in , the National Engineering Honor Society,  a National Scholastic Honor Society, and  the National Civil Engineering Honor Society, and after 25 years, was made full Professor of Civil Engineering. Every publication of his contains at least three Greek letters. Amazing. He retired from university life and spends his time visiting his 13 grandchildren and fascinating short course participants.

James Tinjum

Dr. James M. Tinjum, PE, is responsible for outreach, research, and continuing engineering education in the areas of geotechnical, geoenvironmental, and energy geotechnics with an emphasis on transmitting practical research applications directly to the engineering community. Over the past ten years, he has specialized (consulting, expert support, and research) in foundation investigation, monitoring, and research into foundations for wind turbine generators.