"Geological engineering is a discipline of engineering concerned with the application of geological science and engineering principles to fields, such as civil engineering, mining, environmental engineering, and forestry, among others."
Study of geological formations and processes and their impact on civil engineering projects.
Geology: The study of Earth's materials, structures, processes, and history in order to understand geological features such as rock formations, soil layers, and groundwater.
Mineralogy: The study of minerals, including their composition, formation, and properties. This is important in understanding geologic formations and the types of materials found in the earth.
Petrology: The study of rocks, including their composition, classification, and origin. This is important because understanding the properties of rocks can help us understand how they will behave under different conditions.
Physical geology: The study of Earth's physical features, including topography, climate, and geohazards. This is important because geotechnical engineers must understand the physical environment in which they are working.
Structural geology: The study of how rocks deform and how forces are transmitted through them. This is important in understanding the behavior of geologic structures under different conditions.
Geophysics: The study of Earth's physical properties, including its gravitational, magnetic, and seismic characteristics. This is important in understanding the subsurface conditions that geotechnical engineers need to consider when designing structures.
Hydrology: The study of water, including its distribution, movement, and quality. This is important in understanding how water interacts with the subsurface and how it affects geotechnical structures.
Soil mechanics: The study of the behavior of soils under different conditions, including compression, shear, and settlement. This is an important area of study for geotechnical engineers, who must design foundations and other structures that will be supported by soil.
Rock mechanics: The study of the behavior of rocks under different conditions, including stress, strain, and deformation. This is important in designing structures that will be built on or near rock formations.
Geotechnical engineering: The application of geology, soil mechanics, and rock mechanics to the design and construction of structures, such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, and dams. This is the primary focus of geological engineering.
Soil mechanics: Study of the properties of soil and its behavior under different stresses and loads.
Foundation engineering: Designing and constructing foundations that support buildings, structures, and infrastructure.
Earthquake engineering: Assessing and mitigating the risks associated with earthquakes and other seismic activity.
Geohydrology: Study of the movement of water through soil and rock formations.
Geosynthetics engineering: Use of man-made materials (e.g., geotextiles, geogrids, and geomembranes) in engineering applications.
Slope stability engineering: Assessing and mitigating the risk of slope failure due to geologic or human activity.
Rock mechanics engineering: Evaluation of rock properties and behavior, as well as design of mines and tunnels.
Geoenvironmental engineering: Management of human waste and other environmental pollutants through the use of geologic systems.
Geotechnical instrumentation engineering: Use of monitoring systems to assess the behavior and performance of engineered structures and natural geologic materials.
Coastal and marine geotechnical engineering: Designing structures and assessing the behavior of coastal and marine environments.
Groundwater engineering: Managing groundwater resources and assessing the impact of human activities on groundwater quality.
Landslide engineering: Assessing and mitigating the risks associated with landslides.
Tunnelling engineering: Designing and constructing tunnels for transportation, mining, and other purposes.
Dam engineering: Designing and constructing dams for water storage and management.
Mineral resource engineering: Identification and evaluation of mineral resources for extraction and processing.
"The work of geological engineers often directs or supports the work of other engineering disciplines such as assessing the suitability of locations for civil engineering, environmental engineering, mining operations, and oil and gas projects."
"...conducting geological, geoenvironmental, geophysical, and geotechnical studies."
"They are involved with impact studies for facilities and operations that affect surface and subsurface environments."
"...recommendations made by geological engineers on these projects will often have a large impact on construction and operations."
"Geological engineers plan, design, and implement geotechnical, geological, geophysical, hydrogeological, and environmental data acquisition... manual ground-based methods, deep drilling, geochemical sampling, advanced geophysical techniques, and satellite surveying."
"Some examples of projects include rock excavation, building foundation consolidation, pressure grouting, hydraulic channel erosion control, slope and fill stabilization, landslide risk assessment, groundwater monitoring, and assessment and remediation of contamination."
"Geological engineers are included on design teams that develop solutions to surface hazards..."
"...underground and surface excavation projects..."
"Like mining engineers, geological engineers also conduct resource exploration campaigns..."
"Geological engineers...contribute to...mine evaluation and feasibility assessments..."
"...contribute to the ongoing efficiency, sustainability, and safety of active mining projects."
"Geological engineers are also concerned with the analysis of past and future ground behaviour..."
"Mapping at all scales, and ground characterization programs for specific engineering requirements."
"Landslide risk assessment..."
"Groundwater monitoring..."
"Assessment and remediation of contamination..."
"Building foundation consolidation..."
"Slope and fill stabilization..."
"Hydraulic channel erosion control...