Geotechnical engineering is the field within civil and construction engineering that studies the behaviour of soil and foundations, using soil mechanics, cone penetration tests and foundation advice to build safely and stably.
Every structure rests on the subsoil. Geotechnical engineering ensures that this subsoil can carry the load without harmful settlement or subsidence occurring.
What geotechnical engineering covers
- Soil mechanics: the study of the strength, stiffness and water permeability of soil.
- Soil investigation: mapping soil layers through cone penetration tests and borings.
- Foundation advice: determining the right type of foundation (shallow or pile).
- Groundwater management: analysing pore water pressure and drainage.
Application
Geotechnical engineering is applied in almost every construction project:
- Housing: choosing between a shallow foundation or piles.
- Infrastructure: designing roads, dikes and tunnels.
- Earth retaining: sheet piling and shoring for excavations.
| Investigation | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cone penetration test | Bearing capacity and layering |
| Boring | Soil samples and water level |
| Laboratory test | Strength and settlement parameters |
The results lead to a geotechnical recommendation that determines how deep and with which technique the foundation is built. This prevents subsidence, cracks and instability.
Related terms
- Soil mechanics
- Cone penetration test
- Foundation
- Soil
- Settlement
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