Geotechnical Engineering: Foundations, Soil Testing, and Applications in Civil Engineering

Foundation System

Designing of Shallow Foundations Systems - Bearing Capacity Failure

Shallow Foundation

For transferring building loads to the underlying ground, mostly for firm soils or light loads, and differential settlement.

Soil Mechanics

A discipline that applies the principles of engineering mechanics to soils to predict the mechanical behavior of soil.

Geotechnical Engineering

The branch of civil engineering that deals with soil, rock, and underground water, and their relation to the design construction and operation of engineering projects.

Deep Foundation

For transferring building loads to the underlying ground, mostly for weak soils or heavy loads.

Deep Foundation Systems

Driven Piles and Drilled Shafts.

Soil Testing

Includes Vane Shear Test and Standard Penetration Test.

Geotechnical Challenges

Includes impact of excavations, grading, or filling, stability of natural and proposed earth slope, and Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering.

Retaining Walls

Prevent soils from spreading laterally.

Retaining Structure Systems

Includes Reinforced Earth Walls, Gavions, Tie-backs, and Excavation Support Systems.

Ground Improvement

Includes Impact Roller to Compact the Ground and Sheepsfoot Roller to Compact Clay Soils.

Sheet Piles

Sheets of interlocking steel or timber driven into the ground, forming a continuous sheet to resist lateral earth pressures.

Tunneling

The process of creating tunnels.

Geo-Fabrics

Used for reinforcement, separation, filtration, and drainage in roads, retaining walls, and embankments.

Geotechnical or Geological Engineers (General)

Provide analysis and mapping of technical results obtained from seismic surveys, and investigate subsurface conditions and materials to determine their properties and risks.

Geotechnical or Geological Engineers (Oil Sands Projects)

Design open pit walls, mine waste dumps and dam structures used in oil sands mining, and analyze slope stability, seepage and hydraulic separation on dam structures.

Hydrogeological Engineer

Provide design and analysis of ponds containing discarded oil sands materials, water extraction from soil and sand, and steam injection into wells.

Reservoir Geomechanics Engineer (Oil & Gas Operations)

Analyze the strength of soils, drill hole stability, stress constraint, permeability of rock formations and the degree of trapped hydrocarbons in underground reservoirs.

Geomechanics Engineer (Marine Operations)

Analyze the relationship between physical structures and marine geology, anchoring systems, sediment erosion, slope stability, and foundations for offshore and coastal structures.

Mining Companies

Companies involved in the extraction of minerals.

Oil and Gas Exploration, Production and Transportation Companies

Companies involved in the exploration, production, and transportation of oil and gas.

Petroleum Service Companies

Companies that provide services related to petroleum.

Research & Academe

Includes Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) and various universities.