What is Geo-technical engineering?

What is Geo-technical Engineering?

 

Geo in Greek means Earth. From this we can understand that the word Geo relates to ground, land and soil. 

This type of engineering is a specialised branch of civil engineering – the design and construction of mankind’s civilisation and infrastructure. 

To combine the Geo with the technical-engineering we can conclude that Geo-technical engineering focuses on the behaviour and performance of earth materials, it uses the principles of soil and rock mechanics and assesses their integrity prior to Construction, and as ongoing maintenance risks. 

Why do we need Geo-technical Engineers?

 

Geo-technical engineers play a critical part in the Construction process of anything on Earth. Every structure has foundations and if there is an issue with them, then the whole structure is at risk. 

These engineers are able to assess and investigate the soil, clay, sand, silt and rock using science and their wealth of expertise prior to the construction phase. They are responsible for evaluating the ground conditions of a site, finding ways to ensure foundations or slopes are stable, designing foundations, and overseeing work on a construction site. 

Geo-technical engineers are involved in all stages of construction, from designing new structures to ongoing maintenance.

Examples of Geo-technical Engineers

 

There are many aspects to this type of engineering.

Prior to construction, engineers may examine environmental issues such as flood plains and water tables, is the site suitable for a proposed project?

After evaluating the stability of the ground, slopes may need to be stabilised to prevent hazards such as landslides. 

Engineers are also important on coastal defences, they may work on embankments, tunnels or reservoirs. 

A good example of geo-technical engineering is slope stabilisation. This is implementing methodology to stabilise, counterpoise and secure an unstable slope which is either man made or natural, for safety. 

Through the work of slope stabilisation engineers are able to construct infrastructures in regions and areas that may have been previously deemed unsafe.

What is Geo-technical Engineering?

Geo-technical Engineering and Rope Access

 

‘IRATA International’s rope access system is a safe method of working at height where ropes and associated equipment are used to gain access to and from the work position, and to be supported there.’ 

Rope Access technicians are responsible for a wide range of tasks, all whilst being suspended in the air via ropes, they are invaluable in the infrastructure industry as they can reach difficult to access places. 

To conduct geo-technical engineering in difficult to reach areas such as cliffs, embankments and slopes, rope access specialists use industrial rope access techniques.

This enables jobs such as slope stabilisation, vegetation management – (the elimination of unwanted vegetation that threatens assets such as power lines and railways), and site inspections to be carried out safely and securely.

Rope work gives quick and safe access to locations, eliminating the need for traditional methods such as scaffolding, whilst being more efficient and safer! 

Importance of Geo-technical Engineering

 

To summarise, without geo-technical engineering, infrastructure projects would go ahead which could become very problematic at a later stage as necessary essential work would not have been completed beforehand. 

The outcome of constructing on risky groundworks prone to landslides, floods or without slope stabilisation could be catastrophic. Geo-technical engineers ensure projects are safe and successful with minimal impact to the environment. 

To find out more about Geo-technical works and the work involved using rope access solutions, check out CAN Ltd.

To check out our vacancies in the rope access industry, click on our vacancies page.

Or call our office 01458 258 700 to speak to one of our friendly team.