Book excerpt: This book covers the field of applied geotechnology related to all aspects of construction in ground, including compacted fill, excavations, ground improvement, foundations, earth retaining systems and geotechnical site characterization. It suits the first year of a graduate course on ground improvement and geoconstruction and will suit practicing engineers, both consultants and contractors. Distinctively it covers the identification of problematic soils and appropriate mitigation measures, and the inspection of ground construction work. It combines the technical and the practical in applied geotechnology.