Civil Engineering - Geotechnical Engineering

What is geotechnical engineering?

Geotechnical engineering deals with the engineering behaviour of soil and rock: bearing capacity, settlement, slope stability, liquefaction potential, shoring and deep foundation design. The work typically starts with boreholes and in-situ tests (SPT, CPT, pressuremeter), continues with laboratory testing (grain size, consistency limits, oedometer, shear strength) and ends with a soil and foundation investigation report. That report is an input to the structural design, not a formality: the recommended foundation type must follow from measured data.

When you need it: the building permit process, assessment before adding a storey or retrofitting, retaining and shoring design, fill and slope projects, infrastructure and industrial foundations, ground improvement decisions.

Ask when comparing quotes: how many boreholes and to what depth, which field and laboratory tests, is a geophysical survey included, is the laboratory accredited, the qualification of the signing engineer, the delivery schedule. The cheapest quote usually means the fewest boreholes — compare scope, not price.