Engineering geology

Engineering Geology Engineering Geology is the application of the science of geology to the understanding of geologic phenomena and the engineering solution of geologic hazards and other geologic problems for society. Often the engineering geologist studies and helps solve problems for engineering and public/private works projects. Engineering geology is the study and application of geological sciences to the planning, design and construction of projects. Engineering geologic studies are performed by geologists educated and professionally trained and skilled at the recognition of geologic hazards and adverse geologic conditions, with the objective being the protection of people and property against damage from geologic hazards or solution to problems. Engineering geologic studies are performed for private residential, commercial, and industrial developments; for public works such as power plants, treatment plants, pipelines, tunnels, dams, reservoirs, buildings, railroads, highways, airports, parks, and forest construction; for mines and quarry excavations and tunnels; wetland and habitat restoration programs; for coastal, harbor, and waterfront developments; for outfalls, drilling platforms and other offshore structures. Typical geologic hazards evaluated by engineering geologists include faults (seismically active to inactive), seismic hazards, liquefiable soils, landslides, mudflows, avalanches, unstable slopes, erosion, slaking of geologic formations, ground subsidence, volcanic hazards, and many other types of potential adverse geologic conditions. Engineering geologists, working in conjunction with geophysicists, also evaluate conditions such as bedrock excavatability (rippability) of rock materials for projects involving excavations and blasting during earthwork, and blasting impacts. Methods used by engineering geologists in their studies are performed by geologic field mapping; sampling of earth and rock materials; review of geologic literature, geologic maps, geotechnical reports, engineering plans and environmental reports; excavation, sampling and logging of drilled borings, backhoe test pits, bulldozer pits and trenches; geophysical surveys (seismic refraction traverses, resistivity surveys, ground penetrating radar surveys, high-resolution sub-bottom profiling; and other geophysical methods); review and interpretation of stereoscopic aerial photographs, oblique aerial photography, satellite imagery; and other methods. The work is typically culminated in the preparation of engineering geologic reports. The report, often performed in conjunction with a geotechnical engineering report, describes the work performed, references reviewed, tests performed, findings (e.g. geologic conditions, groundwater and seepage, geologic hazards, seismicity), rippability of materials, stability of geologic materials), and recommendations for mitigation of geologic hazards and adverse geologic conditions. The engineering geologic report may become part of an environmental impact report (EIR) or environmental impact statement (EIS) and a detailed geotechnical engineering report. The type of investigations performed by engineering geologists vary geographically.

Characteristics of Successful Engineering Geologists: 1. Observation skills: Ability to observe and understand the important physical features, as well as the small, subtle and seemingly unimportant features. Ability to listen and take good notes. 2. Spatial skills: Ability to visualize and draw geologic structures (for example faults, bedding planes, landslides, jointing, etc.) in 3-dimensions. 3. Problem solving: Desire to analyze and solve problems. 4. Scientific curiosity: Desire to know the truth regardless of whether or not it agrees with your original idea about something. 5. An open mind: Ability to withhold your final judgement until all data has been gathered and analyzed. 6. Writing and communications: Ability to write and communicate geologic and engineering ideas to other geologists, non-specialists and the public. 7. Math and computer skills 8. Team player: Ability to work in teams and get along with others. 9. Desire to work outdoors

Tools of the Engineering Geologist: 1. Brunton Compass 2. Geologic Pick 3. Topographic Maps 4. Aerial Photographs 5. Camera 6. Drill Rigs, Backhoes, Bulldozers – Typically rented with an operator 7. Geophysical Instruments (Seismograph, Gravity Meter, Resistivity, Magnetometer, Electromagetic, Ground Penetrating Radar, High-Resolution Sub-Bottom Profiler, etc.) 8. Calculators and Computers

Education: Education of Engineering Geologists requires a college degree, such as a Bachelors or Masters in Geology, or Geologic Engineering. Course work in Geophysics, Seismology, Hydrogeology, Soil Mechanics, and Geotechnical Engineering is also helpful. A PhD is required for certain university teaching and research positions and certain governmental positions.

by Greg Farrand, CEG, San Diego, California