Customer Reviews

Foundation Analysis and Design

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am quite pleased with J. Bowles' previous edition (4th), but unless you are familiar with or solely use the metric system of units, I would recommend the 4th Edition (1988). It contains the same basic information, and includes both US and metric (in parenthesis) units.

Gary Marcus.

This book has been a Design manual for many years for a practising engineer like me, who has found extensive usage of this book for all types of foundation problems. The fifth edition of the book has many additional features like many user friendly programs included in the floppy and many worked out examples which explain the step by step procedure for using the programs. In the chapter on Sheet pile wall design , the presentation of conventional 'free' and 'fixed earth'methods have been dispensed with and the author recommends the usage of FEM methods instead,due to the easy availability many of the author's FEM programs.But a comparison of the results of any sheet pile problem solved by the conventional and the FEM methods along with the author's explanation would have helped the users to understand the basic difference in approach by the two methods.Since FEM approach of the author does not consider the active earth pressure below the dredgeline( the reasons for this assumption is not clearly explained ),the method gives very much lower embedment depth as compared to the conventional approach wherein stability is checked with active earth pressure upto the bottom of the sheet pile.Hence the FEM approach needs to be used with caution. On the whole the book is a real treasure

I was very impressed with an earlier edition of Bowles' book as he had some very well-explained design examples (the best I had seen on design of sheet-pile walls). When I purchased this edition, I was dismayed to find that the text is very much centered around the software included with the book. In some cases the author provides sample computer output rather than illustrative design examples. This text left me regretting making the purchase, and hoping to find a used copy of one of the earlier editions.

I regret this purchase. If you want to know how to do these calculations...do not buy this book. If you would like to blindly use a diskette to solve problems...well by all means purchase now.

I have used this book since its 2nd edition and have always been impressed by this book. It is now fully metric thank God and expanded to cover just about all possible foundation and retaining wall problems. A must for all practicing engineers.

I have used this text book since its 2nd edition and was always impressed by this book. Relevant for both students and the practicing engineer, it is an authority on foundation and retaining wall design. In my opinion all structural engineers should have a copy of this book.

If you have only a few geotechnical engineering books, this should be one of them. As a practicing geotechnical engineer I use this book 2 to 3 times per week. It includes the theory and essential reference material.

Its a very good source, and considered a bible by some, but is strictly in metric and also relies on software instead of thorough calculations at certain points. I dont have a hatred of metric, but I wasnt raised on trained in the system so it'll make you feel quite left out if youre not an SI guy/girl. As to the software comment, its very true and sometimes examples skip steps at which point the author jumps from A to D to M to Z with little or no explanation.

This book is an excellent working reference for any civil/geotechnical engineer. The example problems are very well written. The charts and graphs are easily read and very clearly printed. Excellent section on the design and analysis of segmental retaining walls. Beware of some other sites selling versions of this book printed overseas and sold here.

I'm a civil engineer involved in the design of large hydraulic structures.

We still use Bowles in our firm for designing many structures including retaining walls of different kinds, cellular cofferdams, buildings foundations, etc.

It includes many examples, easy to understand, and many charts and tables very useful for the designer.