Geotechnical engineering: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:35, 29 July 2023

Revision as of 11:39, 29 July 2023

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{{Use American English|date=July 2023}}

{{short description|Scientific study of earth materials in engineering problems}}[[Image:Boston CAT Project-construction view from air.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Boston]]'s [[Big Dig]] presented geotechnical challenges in an urban environment.]]

[[File:Precastconcreteretainingwall.tif|thumb|Precast concrete retaining wall]]

[[File:slope 2d plain.svg|thumb|A typical cross-section of a slope used in two-dimensional analysesanalyzes.]]

'''Geotechnical engineering''', also known as '''geotechnics''', is the branch of [[civil engineering]] concerned with the engineering behavior of [[earth materials]]. It uses the principles of [[soil mechanics]] and [[rock mechanics]] to solve its [[engineering]] problems. It also relies on knowledge of [[geology]], [[hydrology]], [[geophysics]], and other related sciences.

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[[Image:Seabees compactor roller.jpg|thumb|A [[compactor]]/[[road roller|roller]] operated by U.S. Navy Seabees]]

{{See also|Earthworks (engineering)}}Geotechnical engineers are also involved in the planning and execution of [[Earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]], which include ground improvement,<ref name="Han 2015" /> slope stabilisationstabilization, and stope stability analysis.

====Ground improvement====

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{{Main|Slope stability}}

Geotechnical engineers can analyseanalyze and improve the stability of slopes using engineering methods. Slope stability is determined by the balance of [[shear stress]] and [[shear strength (soil)|shear strength]]. A previously stable slope may be initially affected by various factors, making the slope unstable. Nonetheless, geotechnical engineers can design and implement engineered slopes to increase stability.

=====Slope stability analysis=====