Geotechnical engineering is also known as Geotechnics and it is one of the branches of Civil engineering which deals with the analysis, design, and construction of foundations, slopes, retaining structures, embankments, tunnels, levees, wharves, landfills, and other systems that are made up of or are supported by the soil or by the rock. It uses both the principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics to investigate subsurface conditions and materials. It also determines the relevant physical/mechanical and chemical properties of these materials.
What is a Geotechnical Engineer?
Geotechnical engineers figure out the impact that geological formations may encounter while construction of projects. They use advanced knowledge and skills of scientific processes and mathematical calculations to examine the formation of the earth beneath residential, commercial, or industrial buildings and structures. Geotechnical engineers involve in works like drilling wells, storage facilities, constructing production, transporting petroleum products, and examining groundwater flow.
A career in geotechnical engineering has more possibilities, from marine operations to floating ice platforms in the Arctic, to mining operations.
All the construction process takes place on the ground which makes it easier to see how geotechnical engineering plays a crucial role in all civil engineering projects. Before constructing any structure, it is vitally important to go for a site visit and investigation. Failure of this operation often has had negative and expensive consequences on construction projects. Geotechnical engineers also guard and maintain the earth's physical environment during the development of major public and private projects
Some of the works of Geotechnical Engineer within the framework of the following jobs:
- Geotechnical or Geological Engineers (General): Geotechnical or Geological Engineers analyze and perform mapping operations of technical results that are obtained from seismic surveys and investigate subsurface conditions and materials to determine their properties and risks involved.
- Geotechnical or Geological Engineer (Oil Sands Projects): Geotechnical or Geological Engineers design some of the elements like open-pit walls, mine waste dumps, and dam structures that are used in oil sands mining, and also analyze slope stability, seepage, and hydraulic separation on dam structures.
- Hydrogeological Engineer: Hydrogeological Engineer provides the design & analysis of the ponds which contain discarded oil sand materials, water extraction from soil and sand, and steam injection into wells and evaluates underground water layers trapped in rocks.
- Reservoir Geomechanics Engineer (Oil & Gas Operations): As a Reservoir Geomechanics Engineer, one needs to analyze the strength of soils, drill hole stability, stress constraints, permeability of the rock formations, and the degree of trapped hydrocarbons in underground reservoirs.
- Geomechanics Engineers (Marine Operations): As a Geomechanics Engineers, one must analyze the relationship between the physical structures and the marine geology, slope stability, marine geology, sediment erosion, foundations, and anchoring systems for coastal and offshore structures.
Most Geotechnical engineers spend their time working in comfortable office settings. They occasionally visit the operation sites occasionally and are sometimes may be exposed to potentially hazardous conditions and inclement weather. Extended visits may occur and relocation may be required.
These engineers can be employed by the following types of organizations :
- Colleges & universities.
- Construction contractors.
- Electrical utility companies.
- Mining companies.
- Engineering consulting firms.
- public and private research organizations, etc.