Geotechnical Consultants – The Revolutionary Stratagem

Geotechnical engineering consulting is a service that extends insights and support to projects that have a broader impact on the environment. The primary objective of geotechnical consultants is to mitigate the environmental adversaries created by man and create a harmonious human-environment plane to facilitate viable engineering projects. Geotechnical consulting is related to geotechnical engineering. And what is geotechnical engineering, you may ask? It is that branch of civil engineering that deals with soil and rocks mechanics and their engineering application to develop humanity.

BACK TO BASICS – GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND ITS HISTORY

Geotechnical engineering is interlinked with the engineering behaviour of earth materials. A geotechnical engineer performs the following tasks –

• They investigate the subsurface conditions of the earth and the related materials
• A geotechnical engineer determines the relevant physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the subsurface materials.
• They are involved in designing the earthworks and retaining the foundational structure and likewise.
• They also monitor the site conditions and evaluate the risk posed by that site, such as predicting and preventing disasters and mitigating damage caused by natural hazards.

During the early years, geotechnical engineering was based on hit and miss methods. But, the discipline witnessed tremendous intellectual expansion between the years 1700 and 1900. Karl Terzaghi, who published his book on soil mechanics in 1925, is regarded as the father of geotechnics. Terzaghi, along with other big-wigs from all over the world, founded the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.

Geotechnical consultants add life to a project which was erstwhile on paper by choosing optimal foundations and site preparation techniques.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIRING GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS

The earth is precarious and undulating, but space is limited. Hence, wisely selecting a site and the foundation technique becomes imperative for any project’s success. Geotechnical consultants provide the much-needed respite and design foundations with man-earth compatibility.

Cost-saving: If laying heavy loads on spread foundations is an art, then a geotechnical consultant is an artist. They justify bearing pressures three to four times higher than the typical values recommended in a conservation report. This justification can lead to phenomenal savings in a project. The potential weight that a floor slab will experience depends upon several factors like soil moisture content, soil plasticity, the type of soil, and so forth. The current trend among geotechnical engineers is to recommend a depth of five feet below floors and foundations. Over-excavation may add some extra cash to the bill, but reducing the over-excavation and reducing the volume by a few feet across the entire building while leaving the foundations on the native soil can mean cost savings in thousands, even for a small project.

Offering clarity: It is always advisable to have a geotechnical engineer on board for any project. They provide insightful and necessary guidelines throughout the design and construction of the project. Having precise and coordinated specifications prepared by the geotechnical, civil, structural, and mechanical engineer creates clarity and reduces confusion.

Improving quality – Hiring a geotechnical consultant with the design team to review the final building may lead to changes that will enhance the project’s efficiency, quality, and constructability. The optimal choice is to include a geotechnical engineer throughout the design and bid process.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANT

Geotechnical engineering becomes a critical part of any construction as land or ground is the base for any project. After hiring a geotechnical engineer, you can expect an improvement in the project’s overall design and environmental, economic, and social feasibility. The geotechnical engineering process involves:

• Drilling through soil or rocks.
• Collecting samples of soil and rocks.
• Testing them in the laboratory.

The geotechnical engineer also analyzes the consequent report, outlines the site’s risks, and recommends the technology and technique to build a stable foundation. Based on the geotechnical engineer’s comments, the structural engineer designs the structure of the entire project.

Geotechnical consultants are unrivalled members of a holistic and robust construction project. They determine the endurance of a building.

CONCLUSION –

In any situation, avoiding a geotechnical engineering consultant will do more harm than good as the benefits are much greater than the cost incurred in hiring a consultant. Geotechnical engineers reduce costs and amplify the overall strength of a project. They gather data on the soil at critical depths for lab testing and explore various locations on the site to identify the most excellent efficiency.

Geotechnical engineering consultants offer advice and recommendations to confirm a building or structure is compatible with the underlying soil. A geotechnical engineer’s presence remains immense during all phases of the project, from designing to pre-construction and construction. In case you are looking for geotechnical engineering in Edmonton, make sure to collect the necessary data and do the required research before finalizing any firm. It is vital to choose a service that is congruent with your project needs and costs.