G5- Geotechnical Engineering Flashcards
- The understanding of geotechnical engineering began early in the
18th Century
Father of Modern Soil Mechanics
Karl Terzaghi
- The application of soil and rock mechanics principles to the development of infrastructures.
geotechnical engineering
Two Scientific Specialisms of Geotechnical Engineering:
- Geotechnics
- Engineering Geology
the application of geological, geophysical and hydrological scientific principles.
Geotechnics
the application of geological knowledge and techniques to enhance engineering projects
Engineering Geology
These are branch of geotechnical Engineering:
- Soil Mechanics
- Rock Mechanics
- Foundation Engineering
the engineering mechanics and properties of soil.
Soil mechanics
the engineering mechanics and properties of rocks.
Rock Mechanics
applies geology, soil mechanics and structural engineering to the design and structures of foundations for civil engineering and other structures.
Foundation Engineering
Geotechnical engineering can be matched by the following:
- Earthquake Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Hydraulics Engineering
- Known as ground investigations
- Involves sampling and testing physical properties of soil and rocks.
geotechnical surveys
Critical Factors Assessed by geotechnical surveys
- Consistency
- Structure
- Strength
- Drainage Properties
whether the soil is hard and soft.
consistency
the arrangement and layers of soil and rocks.
structure
how much weight the soil can support
Strength
how well water moves through the soil
drainage properties
Types of Geotechnical Testing:
- Consolidating Testing
- Triaxial Testing
- Direct Shear Testing
- Permeability Testing
- California Bearing Ratio Testing
- Plate Load test
determine how much and how fast soil compresses under pressure. Predicting soil settlement over time.Consolidating Testing
Consolidating Testing
measures the mechanical properties of soil, rock or granual materials.
Triaxial Testing
determine how soil and rocks respond to shear stress. Resistance to deformation.
Direct Shear Testing
assessing the permeability of earth materials. Key elements of the stability of earth structures.
permeability testing
Types of permeability testing
The falling head test and the constant head test
Falling head test
measures fine-grained soils
Constant Head Test
Measures coarse-grained soils.
a penetration test used in design of flexible pavements.
- California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Testing
measures the soil response to a vertically applied load and measures the bearing capacity of the soil.
Plate Load Test
- Communicates the results of tests carrier out on rocks and soil.
- Provides a detailed analysis of the ground conditions at a specific site
Geotechnical reports
Importance of geotechnical reports
- Risk Assessment
- Cost-effective Design
- Safety
- Regulatory Compliance
Importance of Geotechnical Engineering
- Foundation Design
- Slope Stability
- Ground Improvements
assess soil and rock properties to design safe and effective foundations for structures.
Foundation Design
- evaluate the stability of slopes and embankments to mitigate landslides and erosion.
Slope stability
- evaluate the stability of slopes and embankments to mitigate landslides and erosion.
ground improvements
Salary
Ranges from 22,000 to 55,000 per month
