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. Engineering geologic studies may be performed during the planning, environmental impact analysis, civil engineering design, value engineering and construction phases of public and private works projects, and during post-construction and forensic phases of projects. Engineering geologic studies are performed by a geologist or engineering geologist educated, professionally trained and skilled at the recognition and analysis of geologic hazards and adverse geologic conditions. Their overall objective is the protection of people and property against damage and the solution of geologic problems.
Engineering geologic studies may be performed
- for residential, commercial and industrial developments;
- for governmental and military installations;
- for public works such as a power plant, wind turbine, electrical transmission line, sewage treatment plant, water treatment plant, pipeline (aqueduct, sewer, outfall), tunnel, trenchless construction, canal, dam, reservoir, building, railroad, transit, highway, bridge, seismic retrofit, airport and park;
Geologic Hazards
Typical geologic hazards evaluated by an engineering geologist include
- fault rupture on seismically active faults ;
- seismic and earthquake hazards (ground shaking, liquefaction, lurching,lateral spreading, tsunami and seiche events);
- landslide, mudflow, rock fall and avalanche hazards ;
- unstable slopes and slope stability;
- erosion;
- slaking and heave of geologic formations;
- ground subsidence (such as due to ground water withdrawal, sinkhole collapse, cave collapse, decomposition of organic soils, and tectonic movement);
- volcanic hazards (volcanic eruptions, hot springs, pyroclastic flows, debris flows, gas emissions, volcanic earthquakes);
- collapsible soils;
- shallow ground water/seepage; and
- other types of geologic constraints.