This text states that residual soils are found in many parts of the world, and that they are used as construction materials for roads, embankments, and dams, as well as being used as foundations for buildings, bridges, and load-bearing pavements. It says that the characteristics and engineering properties of residual soils vary significantly from the more familiar transported soils, and that the fact that residual soils often occur in areas with tropical, subtropical and semi-arid climates, adds another dimension to their engineering performance. This text deals specifically with the mechanics of residual soils, and it is written as a practical professional guide for geotechnical engineers working with residual soils.