Geotechnical

engineering
 geo
Means Earth

technical
Having a special knowledge

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 What is
geotechnical
engineering?

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A unique combination of
science, experience, judgment
and a passion for
understanding the uniqueness
and variability of ground
conditions resulting from the
forces of nature.

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 It is the art of determining

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the properties of unseen
and variable materials to
provide a facility that
perform as expected at
acceptable level of risk and
at an optional cost.

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 Questions that
Geotechnical engineers
answer
How tall can we make a building on this
ground?
Can we build a road here?
If we cut through this mountain, will the slope
collapse down onto the road?
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When do we need a
geotechnical
engineer?
Whenever there is construction!
– Roads
– Bridges
– Buildings
– Excavations
 Geotechnical engineering gone wrong

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Geotechnical engineering gone right
Geotechnical
hazards in
construction
Soft and marginal
soils including fills
Shallow foundations
and ground-bearing
slabs
 Landslides, slopes
and stabilization
works
Waste including
geocontainment and
barrier systems
 What are the
responsibilities of a
geotechnical engineer

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 Leads investigation and
exploration of the site’s subsurface.

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 . Uses the correct tools to get
different soil samples from the
earth

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Analyzes the soil samples gathered
by testing them in the lab
 Designs the structure’s foundations based
on the analysis from the soil samples

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 Guides the whole construction by
determining the right resources and
equipment that match the characteristics
and behaviors of the ground.

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How to become a
geotechnical
engineer
Earn a degree in
engineering
 ⬗ Bachelor's degree programs in civil, geotechnical,
geological, and environmental engineering
typically last four year

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 Subjects to take
⬗ soil mechanics, soil mechanic lab, geotechnical
investigation (all of them),
⬗ foundation engineering (static and dynamic design,
lateral and axial analysis, pile tests interpretation) ,
⬗ retaining structures and mechanically stabilized earth
engineering,

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 ⬗ slope stability analysis (basic, applied and advanced),
⬗ deep excavation,
⬗ earth dynamics,
⬗ soil improvements,
⬗ earth moving mechanics,
⬗ mapping and topography,
⬗ disaster prevention and mitigation

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 “ ⬗ Due to the safety risks involved with all
construction, geotechnical engineers are
charged with a tremendous
responsibility; therefore, they should
possess the following attributes and skills:

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 ⬗ Critical thinking
⬗ Problem solving skills
⬗ Sound judgment
⬗ Excellent communication
⬗ Practical and technical traits

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 ⬗ Organization
⬗ Technologically savvy (CAD software)
⬗ Aptitude for engineering principles
⬗ Knowledgeable of geological
compositions and formations
⬗ Knowledgeable of construction
techniques and materials
⬗ Environmental concern and passion
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Geotechnical
engineer salary
 The salary level you could earn as a geotechnical engineer
can vary, typically depending on the following factors:

 Your level of education

 Your level of experience
 The specific responsibilities of your job
 The size and type of your employer
 The region in which you work

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 Woodfields Consultants, Inc Geotechnical Engineer
monthly salaries in the Philippines

PHP 51,578 per

MONTH
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 AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY ABROAD FOR
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER

$66,177 per year

Or
Php 3,308,850 per year
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Types of soil
testing used by a
geotechnical
engineer
MOISTURE CONTENT
TEST ON SOIL
 Moisture content or water content in soil is an
important parameter for building construction. It is
determined by several methods and they are

⬗ Oven drying method

⬗ Calcium carbide method
⬗ Torsion balance method
⬗ Pycnometer method
⬗ Sand bath method
⬗ Radiation method
⬗ Alcohol method
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 OVEN DRYING METHOD
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SPECIFIC GRAVITY
TEST ON SOIL
 Specific gravity of soil is the ratio of the unit weight of
soil solids to that of the water. It is determined by many
methods and they are.
 Density bottle method
 Pycnometer method
 Gas jar method
 Shrinkage limit method
 Measuring flask method

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 PYCNOMETER BOTTLE
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ATTERBERG
LIMITS TEST ON
SOIL
 Casagrande’s liquid limit device
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Proctor’s
Compaction Test
on Soil
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