INTRODUCTION TO THE DISCIPLINE:

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Head: Engr. Honorata De Guzman

Team Name: GEOl Diggers (BSCE-1103 Group 6)

Team Leader: Mr. Ian Paul R. Gualberto

Team Members: Ms. Jeanzenn Vera Balmes

Mr. Lee Aron Cuevas

Ms. Kristine Jewel Menor

Ms. April Joy Sarmiento

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Pablo Borbon Main II
Batangas City

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE & FINE ARTS

ENGG 401 – INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION TO THE DISCIPLINE:

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

The term ‘Soil’ has diverse definitions in different scientific fields. It has originated from
the Latin word Solum. To an agricultural specialist, it signifies ‘‘the loose material on the earth’s
crust consisting of disintegrated rock with an admixture of organic matter, which supports plant
life’’. To a geologist, it implies the disintegrated rock material which has not been transported
from the place of origin. But, to a civil engineer, the term ‘soil’ depicts the loose unconsolidated
inorganic material on the earth’s crust produced by the disintegration of rocks, overlying hard
rock with or without organic matter. Foundations of all structures have to be placed on or in such
soil, which is the primary reason for our interest as Civil Engineers in its engineering behavior.

In earlier times, buildings were built with certain assumptions about soil conditions, and
the type of foundation for any structure was decided by the builders themselves. Following some
well-publicized foundation-related engineering issues, most notably the Leaning Tower of Pisa,
builders and researchers around the world were prompted to adopt a more scientific approach
that examines the subsurface. These principles and analysis became the pillars of the
contemporary geotechnical engineering that we do have now in the present time.

Subsequently, Geotechnical engineering is widely recognized as the branch of civil

engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of such earth materials. This field is vital in
civil engineering, but also has applications in military, mining, petroleum, and other engineering
disciplines that are concerned with construction occurring on the surface or within the ground.
Geotechnical engineering uses principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics to investigate
subsurface conditions and materials; determine the relevant physical/mechanical and chemical
properties of these materials; evaluate the stability of natural slopes and man-made soil deposits;
assess risks posed by site conditions; design earthworks and structure foundations; and monitor
site conditions, earthwork and foundation construction.

Karl von Terzaghi, the famous civil engineer and geologist who developed the principle
of effective stress in soils, is widely credited with the development of modern geotechnical
engineering. He is also known as the "Father of Modern Soil Mechanics" for developing the
framework for foundation-bearing capacity theory and the theory of the rate of settlement
prediction. Geotechnical engineering today investigates subsurface conditions and materials
using soil mechanics and rock mechanics principles. These principles are used to determine the
relevant physical and chemical properties of soils, as well as to assess the stability of natural
slopes and man-made soil deposits.

Moreso, Geotechnical engineering is a civil engineering specialty discipline concerned

with the behavior and structural interconnected properties of geologic materials and groundwater.
Natural soil and rock are examples of geologic materials, but so are man-made materials such as
compacted soil fill, crushed stone, concrete, and manufactured stones. The investigation of
geological material properties on a construction site is critical for the design and construction of
stable structures that do not settle, deform, or crack and do not collapse due to foundation failure.

In general, Geotechnical engineers perform geotechnical investigations including surface

exploration and subsurface exploration of the site to obtain information on the physical
properties of the soil and rock underlying a site to design foundations for proposed structures.
Geotechnical Engineer is responsible for the following tasks in a project:

● Estimate the magnitude and location of the load points of the structure, which need to be
supported on the ground.

● Develop an investigation plan to explore the subsurface, including plotting the locations
of the boreholes on the overall layout, so that none of the boreholes is directly under the
load-supporting point in the ground.

● Determine necessary soil parameters through field and lab testing or make necessary
calculations/inferences from the geotechnical report regarding the soil characteristics and
behavior.

● Design the foundation system most safely and economically based on the finding of the
soil investigation report and lab testing. Propose the construction sequencing or any
special arrangement that may be required to carry out the excavation & foundation works
and get approval from the required authorities.

● Pavement design is flexible or rigid and its performance, based upon the subsoil on which
it rests.

● Analyze the effects of excavation and construction on the nearby and adjoining structures
and recommend the safety precautions and methods to be adopted for their safety.