Starting primarily on the formal definition, geotechnical engineering is a branch of civil
engineering that deals with the elements of the behavior, characteristics, and nature of earth materials
involved in each structure construction and formation. Among the functions and services involved in this
aspect are the critical investigation and observation of subsurface condition and materials, design of
earthworks and structure foundation, analysis of their physical, mechanical and chemical properties of
the earth materials in the site, and the review of the site condition during the actual construction phase.
For these characteristics, the author of this paper has deemed the field of geotechnical engineering indeed
significance for the concerns of sustainable land development and structure construction.
Geotechnical is a sub division of civil engineering. It handles a form of research that incorporates
use of earth materials. It embraces approaches or rock mechanics and soil to inspect chemical and physical
characteristics that are related with subsurface matter.
Geotechnical engineering is a fundamental subject in civil and environmental engineering that
engineers are required to refer to when any type of retrofitting, design or construction of projects and
developments are encountered in a city or in a rural area. Indeed, in many projects like geotechnical
structures, such as earth dams, geotechnical engineering is the main subject. In this paper, the role of
geotechnical engineering in sustainable and resilient cities is elaborated mainly through a series of
questions and answers.
Geotechnical Engineering is a major branch in Civil Engineering. It was developed to deal with soil
which is the common denominator of all civil engineering projects, from buildings to roads, and water
foundations to hydrology. All of these concerns with soil or ground. Geotechnical engineering was
designated to study the mechanical behavior of soil.
Geotechnical engineering is the systematic application of techniques which allows construction
on, in, or with geomaterials, i.e., soil and rock. Every civil engineering structure and construction is related
to soil in some way, and subsequently, its design will depend on properties of the soil or rock. Geotechnical
operations are of importance with respect to soil sampling, investigating geomaterials properties,
controlling groundwater level and flow as well as environmental and hydrological interactions.
Foundation engineering, excavations and supporting ground structures, underground structures, dams,
natural or artificial fills, roads and airports, subgrades and ground structures, and slope stability
assessments are examples of geotechnical engineering applications in practice.
Nowadays there are a lot of global geoenvironmental engineering challenges. The major existing
challenge is the pollution. To overcome this, cleaning the geoenvironment of mother earth is a crucial
need. There are some natural processes that rectify and repay for manmade pollutions in the soil and
groundwater. There are also some manmade technologies to rectify the problems created by developing
and developed countries. But most of these manmade and natural processes are very slow.
Furthermore, this form of engineering is also incorporated in stability of both manmade and
natural deposits. This category also advocates for the upgrade of ground programs to ensure that the soil
is ready for structural support. Geotechnical engineering is further responsible for retaining earth
structures especially when they interact with soil. It is a branch that incorporates analysis, observation
and design techniques that are associated with earth structures. The activities that are involved in this
project include stipulating the surrounding. Others are identifying the schedules and budget of the
project.
This evaluation also determines the characteristics of subsurface materials and the condition of
water that is available on ground. This assessment also entails conduction of research on rocks and soil.
This is via collecting essential samples to be inclusive of tests in the laboratory. In addition, arranging
materials that relate with geotechnical samples facilitate the engineering project. This also paves way for
predictions that are used by engineers during the design procedure.
People need to have a secured feeling when passing a bridge or using a skyway. This particular
need causes the existence of Geotechnical engineers in the field of building construction services. Their
vital role is to create mandated analysis within areas of building projects that ensures the strength and
the capability of the environment to handle several stresses that are to be caused to it by the said
construction. By doing so, the Geotechnical engineers set a fine foundation that identifies the insurance
that each person could gain from the fact that the buildings constructed for them is based on a strong
ensuring analysis that made the said construction of buildings possible for pursuance.
Evidently, this concept of evaluation plays a significant function that enables engineers to stick to
the project during its implementation. Furthermore, evaluation is vital when it grants the construction
team with a design. This is to ensure that the project is put into practice in a successful manner. The
purpose of geotechnical methods is to initiate overall properties of a certain site. This is by assessing
quantities to be observed during the construction procedure. The significance of geotechnical in civil
engineering is clear when it gives essential details to design a project.
Geotechnical engineers are responsible for evaluating subsurface and soil conditions and
materials, using the principles of soil and rock mechanics. They are commonly appointed as consultants
on construction projects. Engineers also examine environmental issues such as flood plains and water
tables. By doing so, they are able to determine whether a particular site is suitable for a proposed project,
and can inform the engineering design process with regard to how ground conditions can be made safe
and effective for construction. The geotechnical engineer does sometimes have the opportunity to specify
certain properties or treatment of soils, rocks and other materials used in construction.
From geotechnical surveys, engineers will be able to evaluate the stability of the ground, including
any slopes and soil deposits, assess any risks and/or contamination, and help to determine the types of
foundations and earthworks that will be required. The potential for hazards such as landslides,
earthquakes and other seismic activity can also be assessed.
Geotechnical engineers can be involved in ‘ground improvement’, in which soil is treated through
a variety of different techniques to improve strength, stiffness, and/or permeability.
Geotechnical engineering is also important in coastal and ocean engineering, in relation to
building wharves, jetties, marinas and coastal defenses, as well as foundation and anchor systems for
offshore structures such as oil rig platforms. Engineers may also work on embankments, tunnels, channels,
reservoirs, irrigation systems, and so on.
In general, a Geotechnical Engineer is responsible for the following tasks in a project:
Estimate the magnitude and location of the load points of the structure, which need to be
supported on the ground. Develop an investigation plan to explore the subsurface, including plotting the
locations of the bore holes on the overall layout, so that none of the bore holes is directly under the load
supporting point in the ground. Determine necessary soil parameters through field and lab testing or make
necessary calculations/inferences from the geotechnical report regarding the soil characteristics and
behavior. Design the foundation system in the safest and most economical manner based on the finding
of the soil investigation report and lab testing. Propose the construction sequencing or any special
arrangement that may be required to carry out the excavation & foundation works and get approval from
the required authorities. Pavement design as flexible or rigid and its performance, based upon the subsoil
on which it rests. Analyze the effects of excavation and construction on the nearby and adjoining
structures and recommend the safety precautions and methods to be adopted for their safety.
Geotechnical engineering is a critical component of nearly all infrastructure related endeavors
whether they be civilian or military. This is because everything except space structures such as satellites
is founded on the earth. Furthermore, if there are issues with the foundation, then the entire structure is
in trouble. Therefore, geotechnical engineers play a critical role in every constructed project.
Geotechnical engineering relies on the continuous application of engineering judgment. This
judgment can be best developed by careful study of past successes and failures, and years of experience.
Through continued education and mentorship, experiences are passed from one generation to the next
leading to continued advancement of the profession.
Geotechnical engineering plays a key role in all civil engineering projects, since all construction is
built on or in the ground. In addition it forms an important part of extractive industries, such as open cast
and underground mining and hydrocarbon extraction, and is essential in evaluating natural hazards such
as earthquakes and landslides.
Whether on land or sea, the tasks performed by geotechnical engineers are numerous, in-depth
and paramount to the long-term stability of structures and earthworks. With the advent of more ground
improvement techniques and sustainable design methods, professionals will be challenged moving
forward – having to ensure the strength of foundations, slopes, and walls, while reducing their
environmental impact.