Geotechnical Engineering

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

The branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of earth materials. Geotechnical engineering is important in civil engineering, but is also used by military, mining, petroleum, or any other engineering concerned with construction on or in the ground. Geotechnical engineering uses principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics to investigate subsurface conditions and materials; determine the relevant physical/mechanical and chemical properties of these materials; evaluate stability of natural slopes and man-made soil deposits; assess risks posed by site conditions; design earthworks and structure foundations; and monitor site conditions, earthwork and foundation construction.

A typical geotechnical engineering project begins with a review of project needs to define the required material properties. Then follows a site investigation of soil, rock, fault distribution and bedrock properties on and below an area of interest to determine their engineering properties including how they will interact with, on or in a proposed construction. Site investigations are needed to gain an understanding of the area in or on which the engineering will take place. Investigations can include the assessment of the risk to humans, property and the environment from natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, soil liquefaction, debris flows and rock falls.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER

A geotechnical engineer then determines and designs the type of foundations, earthworks, and/or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be built. Foundations are designed and constructed for structures of various sizes such as high-rise buildings, bridges, medium to large commercial buildings, and smaller structures where the soil conditions do not allow code-based design.

Foundations built for above-ground structures include shallow and deep foundations. Retaining structures include earth-filled dams and retaining walls. Earthworks include embankments, tunnels, dikes, levees, channels, reservoirs, deposition of hazardous waste and sanitary landfills.

WORKING SITES

Geotechnical engineers work with government, commercial, industrial and private organizations and developers to assist with projects such as highways, bridges, dams, tunnels, tanks, public infrastructure improvement.

Geotechnical engineers are a subset of civil engineers who focus on materials in and below the earth's surface mainly soil and minerals.

OTHER SPECIALITES:

GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

Geological engineers identify and try to solve problems involving soil, rock and groundwater, and design structures in and below the ground, using the principles of earth science and engineering. Geological engineering includes a number of ground engineering specialties such as geotechnical engineering.

GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERS MAY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING TASKS:

Investigate the engineering feasibility of planned new developments involving soil, rock and groundwater plan and undertake site investigations for proposed major engineering works such as bridges, dams and tunnels design measures to correct land contamination and salination.