Geotechnical engineering is a branch of civil engineering that applies soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and groundwater conditions to design foundations, retaining structures, earth structures, and environmental containment systems. Geological engineers use principles of earth sciences and geotechnical engineering to solve problems involving soil, rock, and groundwater, and to design underground structures. They often work with other professionals on major projects involving site selection, natural hazards, foundations, groundwater, slopes, dams, and environmental remediation.

1. Branch of Civil Engineering that applies
the principles of soil mechanics, surface
rock
mechanics, and groundwater conditions to
the design of foundations, retaining
structures, earth structures, and
environmental containment systems.

3. Geological Engineers use the principles of the
earth
sciences and geotechnical engineering in the
solution
of problems involving soil, rock and groundwater,
and to design structures in and below the
ground.
Often work with other interdisciplinary
professionals
such as geologists, civil engineers, mining
engineers,
and environmental scientists.

4. Major projects involve site selection,
natural geologic hazards, foundation
engineering, and groundwater exploration

5. Geotechnical/Geological Investigations
Foundation Design
Embankments and Dams
Slope Stability/Landslide Mitigation
◦ Pipeline Construction
◦ Environmental
– Corrective Action (Superfund, RCRA,
Industry)
– Landfill Construction

6. Siting Dams and
Reservoirs
Foundation Design
– Buildings
– Power Plants
– Highway Structures
– Water/Wastewater Plants
Nature and Extent of
Contamination

7. Shallow Foundations
– Spread Footings for Buildings
– Ring Walls for Tanks
– Mat Foundations
Deep Foundations
– Piles (Pipe, Timber, H-pile)
– Caissons/Drilled Piers
Foundations for
– Power Plants
– Bridges
– Buildings

8. Concrete
Rockfill
Earthfill

9. Highway Approaches
Reservoirs
Industrial Ponds
Disposal Areas
Preload Soft Soil

10. Sheetpile Walls
Soil Mixing
Soldier Pile Walls
Mechanically Stabilized
Earth (MSE)
Support for Deep
Excavations

11. Natural Slopes
Constructed Slopes
– Fill Slopes
– Excavation Slopes
Slope Movements
– Translational
Slides
– Rotational Slides
– Mudflows
Slope Stabilization

12. Landfills
– Construction
– Remediation
Corrective Action
– Vertical Cut-Off
Walls
– In-Situ
Remediation
– Capping Systems
Industrial
– Disposal of By-
products
– Waste
Minimization

13. Investigate the site to determine prior
land use and potential on-site and offsite
impacts.
If impacts exist, determine the
contaminants, extent in all media
(soil, groundwater, sediment, surface
water, etc.) and associated risks to
human health and the environment.