Geotechnical engineering: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:31, 7 July 2025

Latest revision as of 12:01, 7 July 2025

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{{Main|Geotechnical investigation}}

Geotechnical engineers investigate and determine the properties of subsurface conditions and materials. They also [https://paradigm-structural.com/services/geotechnical-design/ geotechnical design] corresponding [[Earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]] and [[Retaining wall|retaining structures]], [[tunnel]]s, and structure [[foundation (engineering)|foundations]], and may supervise and evaluate sites, which may further involve site monitoring as well as the risk assessment and mitigation of [[natural hazard]]s.<ref name="TerzaghiPeckMesri">Terzaghi, K., Peck, R.B. and Mesri, G. (1996), ''Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice'' 3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. {{ISBN|0-471-08658-4}}</ref><ref name="HoltzKovacs">Holtz, R. and Kovacs, W. (1981), ''An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering'', Prentice-Hall, Inc. {{ISBN|0-13-484394-0}}</ref>

Geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists perform geotechnical investigations to obtain information on the [[Physical property|physical properties]] of soil and rock underlying and adjacent to a site to design earthworks and foundations for proposed structures and for the repair of distress to earthworks and structures caused by subsurface conditions. Geotechnical investigations involve surface and subsurface exploration of a site, often including subsurface sampling and laboratory testing of retrieved soil samples. Sometimes, [[Exploration geophysics|geophysical methods]] are also used to obtain data, which include measurement of [[seismic waves]] (pressure, shear, and [[Rayleigh waves]]), surface-wave methods and downhole methods, and [[Prospecting|electromagnetic surveys]] (magnetometer, [[Electrical resistivity and conductivity|resistivity]], and [[ground-penetrating radar]]). [[Electrical resistivity tomography|Electrical tomography]] can be used to survey soil and rock properties and existing underground infrastructure in construction projects.<ref>Deep Scan Tech (2023): [https://www.deepscantech.com/news/deep-scan-tech-uncovers-hidden-structures-at-the-site-of-denmarks-tallest-building.html Deep Scan Tech uncovers hidden structures at the site of Denmark's tallest building].</ref>