GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING
THE FOUNDATION
SPECIALIST
Group
3
BALLES
TA
MONDI
A
SHARK
ER
PAMA
History
Description/Definition
AGENDA Key Areas
Purpose
Job Opportunities
HISTORY OF
GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING
F U N FA C T: D I D Y O U K N O W ?
• Humans have used soil for construction
materials, flood control, and irrigation
since at least 2000 BC
• Leonardo da Vinci studies on soil behavior
and structural stability laid the foundation for
the principles of soil mechanics and
equilibrium.
• Geotechnical mechanics began
in 1773 with Charles coulomb's
introduction
Karlofvon
mechanics to soil problems
Terzaghi
(October 2, 1883 – October 25, 1963)
- an Austrian mechanical engineer,
geotechnical engineer, and geologist known
as the "father of soil mechanics and
geotechnical engineering".
DESCRIPTION/
DEFINITION
WHAT IS GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING?
• It studies the behavior of earth materials and their
interaction with structures.
• The main objective of geotechnical engineering is
to evaluate the influence of geological factors on
engineering projects.
• It includes field inspections, laboratory tests and
site observations to evaluate the physical
properties of soils and rocks, which are essential
for the construction of slopes, tunnels, retaining
walls and foundations.
• It is the assessment of soil permeability, strength,
erosion and landslide risk.
KEY ASPECTS OF GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING:
Soil Rock Foundation
Mechanics Mechanics Engineering
Slope Retaining
Stability Structure
WHY IS GEOTECHNICAL
IMPORTANT?
• Environment – It protects soil, water, and air
quality while designing resilient structures
like green roofs and permeable pavements.
• Economy - Accurate geotechnical
assessments are crucial in avoiding costly
construction failures by identifying potential
issues early, allowing for timely and cost-
effective solutions.
• Community – It plays a critical role in
community planning and safety by ensuring
that buildings and infrastructure are
constructed safely, thereby preventing
potential hazards to human life.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Geotechnical engineers work both on-site and in an office
setting. They collect borehole cores, examine them in a laboratory
and determine appropriate parameters for engineering analysis.
Most Construction
commo
n Civil engineering
industri Military
es that
hire Mining
geotech Oil and Gas
nical
enginee
rs are:
SOME PROJECTS
GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERS MAY WORK
IN:
• Retaining wall
• Landfills
• Dam sites
• Slope stability
• Pavement evaluations
• Pile design studies
• Roadway and bridges
GEOLOGICAL,
GEODETIC, and
GEOTECHNICAL
•Geological Engineering: Studies the Earth's
composition, processes, and history, with a focus on
understanding the Earth's systems and processes.
•Geodetic Engineering: Concerned with
measuring and surveying the Earth's surface, with a
focus on determining the size and shape of the
Earth and monitoring its changes.
•Geotechnical Engineering: Applies geological
and geodetic principles to the design and
construction of infrastructure, with a focus on
ensuring the safety and stability of buildings,
bridges, and other structures.
THANK
YOU!
