Geological engineering is a branch of engineering that uses the application of geology to engineering [5]. Geology is defined as the science that deals with the earth's physical structure and its natural resources [7]. Geological engineers apply their knowledge to the maintenance, operation or design of civil engineering structures or facilities like mining and construction projects [1]. Geological engineers get hired by construction firms so that they can assess ground conditions and natural hazards prior to the construction [2]. They also can get hired by mining, petroleum and environmental companies for their unique education in both geology and engineering [8]. For a civil engineering project to be successful, the engineers must understand the land upon which the project rests. They have to do on-site assessments of physical landscapes where dams, mines, roads, pipelines, railways, forestry, and other extractive operations are planned in preparation for building [4]. Geological Engineers explore, protect, and develop the Earth’s natural resources like water, mineral, and energy in a responsible manner [1]. They also ensure that engineering structures are designed for long-term stability and safety, taking geological conditions and hazards into account [1]. Geological engineers are being demanded because of the steady decline of our earth's natural resources [2]. The study of geology itself has been around for centuries. Geological engineering practice only began as a discipline in the late 19th century [3]. The need for geological engineers became significant in 1928 when four hundred and twenty-six lives were lost as a result of the failure of the St. Francis dam in California [3]. This failure showed that there was not enough appreciation for geological conditions in civil engineering designs [6]. More engineer’s failure in the years following this tragedy prompted the requirement for geological engineers to work on these civil engineering projects [3]. By the 1940’s a trend for civil engineering companies to employ geologists occurred [6]. The two most known geologists to get hired by engineering companies were Charles Berkey and Quido Zaruba [6]. Although these individuals did this exceptionally well, this process was not always successful as not enough geologists had enough engineering knowledge [6]. In search of solving this problem, a new earth scientist, the engineering geologist surfaced [6]. Eventually, engineering geology became a university degree [6]. At Imperial College in London, engineering geology was taught to both engineering and geology students by John Knill as early as 1957 [6]. These courses developed into other countries including Canada and the USA into a degree that most engineering universities offer today, geological engineering [6]. Throughout this study you will get to learn about and understand about the technology changes that are affecting engineers and how they are overcoming these changes in a positive manner. Geological engineering is a very rapidly growing field as the realization of how essential it is to manage risk and create a safer world sets into today's society [1].
Methods
A. Overview of geological engineering applications
The field of Geological Engineering encompasses a wide range of activities including the geological characterization of complex foundations of major buildings and structures, development of natural resources (mining, water, hydroelectricity, forestry, oil and gas), investigation and assessment of groundwater movement and quality, the engineering safety of major infrastructure (dams, reservoirs, offshore drilling platforms, pipelines, roads and railways), and the assessment of geohazard risk (landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes, and the stability of natural dams)[12]. It also includes aspects of fields such as project finance and insurance, land-use planning, forensic geological engineering, and the application of geological knowledge to the repair and preservation of cultural heritage sites [12].
B. Branches of geological engineering
B1. Soil mechanics
Soil mechanics is a discipline that applies principles of engineering mechanics, e.g. kinematics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, and mechanics of material, to predict the mechanical behavior of soils [13].
B2. Rock mechanics
Rock mechanics is the theoretical and applied science of the mechanical behavior of rock and rock masses; it is that branch of mechanics concerned with the response of rock and rock masses to the field forces of their physical environment [13]. The fundamental processes are all related to the behavior of porous media. Together, soil and rock mechanics are the basis for solving many engineering geology problems [13].
C. Responsibilities
As a career, geotechnical engineering is exciting and diverse, but also very demanding. A career in geotechnical engineering involves roles and responsibilities such as:
Subsurface investigation: the job of the geological engineer essentially starts with a collection of soil samples from the project's intended site, using bores and test pits [14]. Among other factors, the analysis will determine the ground's stress bearing capability and stability [14].
Field test: after research into soil quality and stress-bearing factors, geological engineers must determine whether issues like erosion, settlement and slope will pose a safety risk to the proposed project [14].
Computer analysis: as a geotechnical engineer, you will be required to analyze the results of subsurface investigations and field tests with dedicated software [14]. Your ability to understand data and model future conditions will be crucial to the development of the construction project [14]. After analysis, geological engineers may be required to assist in the development of earthworks and foundations suitable to the conditions of the site [14].
Client meetings: a regular duty of the geological engineer is to meet with clients for evaluations of project progress [14]. Budget and time constraints will be important factors in any discussion and geological engineers will be expected to know and provide a variety of important information [14].
Geotechnical life: geological engineers will be required to spend most of their time in the field and in analysis laboratories [15]. The job involves lots of travel and plenty of strict deadlines and work in most weather conditions [15]. A geological engineer should be inquisitive, motivated and dedicated but will also require formal, university level training, a bachelor's degree, sometimes in a subject relating to the field (mathematics, science, geology) [15]. Beyond the undergraduate level, some postgraduate courses may deliver an advantage when applying for geological positions [15]. Professional accreditation may also be required [15].
Geological engineering is a constantly changing field employees will have to deal with new equipment, updated safety regulations and other factors above and beyond their duties to a client's construction project. With this in mind, keeping on top of scientific and industry news is an important habit but also a way to seek out the best employment opportunities.
D. Qualifications
Relevant degree subjects include earth, physical, mathematical and applied sciences and engineering. In particular, the following subjects may increase one’s chances:
engineering geology and geotechnics
geology
geophysics
mining engineering [15]
E. Employers
You could find employment in a range of fields and the level of competition varies accordingly [15]. Engineering geologists are required within certain areas of the construction industry, on regeneration programs and similar projects [15].
You could work within the public sector, mostly for councils, or in the private sector where projects vary according to the company [15]. The majority are related to construction (and can involve contaminated land) but also to resources such as minerals, groundwater and renewable energy [15].
The main employers of engineering geologists are:
civil engineering contractors
civil engineering consultancies
environmental consultancies
geotechnical and geo-environmental site
investigation companies
construction companies
petroleum companies [15]
The more multidisciplinary a company or consultancy is, the more likely an employer will require a good level of experience.
The specific focus of a particular company is likely to affect the type of qualifications required. For example, a company which undertakes geotechnical and geo-environmental ground investigation projects may ask for a degree in geology or engineering geology, or civil or geotechnical engineering, in addition to postgraduate experience [15].
The industry is growing due to an increasing awareness of the impact of new developments on the environment.
F. Pay scale
The median annual wage for mining and geological engineers was $93,720 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $55,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $160,510.
In May 2016, the median annual wages for mining and geological engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Oil and gas extraction
$126,020
Support activities for mining
$91,960
Metal ore mining
$91,660
Coal mining
$85,410
Engineering services
$85,010 [16]
Results
The advancements in today’s technology have changed engineering for the greater good. Engineers now have access to new and improved technological systems, software, and appliances that allow them to further develop the quality and efficiency of their work. Engineers have developed a new technological laser, called the Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS), that allows geologists to take an active, 3D, picture that will range find in high detail [9]. Due to this, geologists have now altered how they study historical artifacts, landscapes, and buildings, making it costlier and time efficient [10]. The TLS works automatically by using a pattern laser light that calculates the position of the subject and the time it will take for the laser light to travel to the subject. Millions of points can be detected, allowing for a precise shape of the subject [10]. More advanced Terrestrial Laser Scanners are able to take photographs of the subject which can be produced into 3D models [11]. Terrestrial Laser Scanners have become increasingly beneficial in historical sites. The Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia has started using the TLS to copy the exact font of the original gravestones, which have been weathered and degraded, onto new gravestones [10]. This allows the cemetery to restore its history while continuing to honor the fallen soldiers with proper recognition. TLS is also being used in Kentucky to record the engineering on the World War II structures located on Fort Campbell [10]. The TLS is scanning the old military base, searching for concerns in the buildings and assuring that everything is up to standards. The U.S. Army plans to continue using the TLS to guarantee that all of their installations are up to grade [10]. The development of the Terrestrial Laser Scanner has opened new doors and lead to new opportunities for geologists.
Conclusion
In summary, we observed how and why engineering geologists became a recognized discipline. Our results prove just how important and essential geological engineers are in today’s society. This new technology that they are producing has endless possibilities and will surely be beneficial to the future of geology. Our studies show that geological engineers are very well needed today and by the looks of how fast our natural resources are declining, they will become more and more demanded in the future.