Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?

[Rhuynh]

Hello Everyone,
I'm a new graduate, looking to start my career as a Geotechnical Engineer. I previously worked as a Materials Testing Technician, and mostly with Asphalt and Concrete. I'm wondering how often do Geotechnial engineers work with asphalt and concrete?

Also could you please name some software used in geotechnical engineering. So that i could maybe read about them and learn more about them.

 

[Ron]

Most geotechnical engineers that I have worked with (and I worked for 18 years in one of the largest geotechnical firms in the world), do not deal with asphalt or concrete. They prefer to deal with soil conditions related to structures, not pavements. They can't get out of it sometimes, but they prefer not to deal with it.

Most geotechnical firms also have a materials engineering/materials testing component and they generally work well together, but the construction materials engineering aspects are usually handled by other than geotechnical engineers.

As for software for geotechnical engineering, what do you want? Foundation analysis? Settlement analysis? Pile analysis? Slope stability? Bearing Capacity? Boring logs?

Google these subjects...you'll find plenty.

 

[Rhuynh]

Thanks for your response Ron, I appreciate the insight. I figured my work experience meant minimal exposure of geotechnical engineering.

I've googled the subject and there are just so many software out there. I'm assuming that there aren't many software that deals with multiple geotechnical engineering topics. They probably just deal with one topic at a time. I suppose i could read and review multiple software, but short of buying ever program, i won't be able to get a grasp of the functions or a sense of the program. (unless it's freeware of course).

 

[BigH]

As Ron pointed out - unless the materials deal with compaction issues (other than engineering strength, consoliation, classification) geotechnical engineers do not deal "much" with concrete and asphalt. Yet it is interesting how often we do become involved. Many geotechnical firms, in order to provide construction services to the clients for which they did the geotechnical investigation, will have the capability of routine concrete work - cylinders, slumps, air testing - but not for concrete technology as such.
As for software - I don't think that you learn much geotechnical engineering by software - you use the software to make your life easier in analyzing problems - which you should be able to do by hand / back of envelope, etc. If you have no feel for the problem, you will not understand the software output. Suggest you get some very good texts on geotechnical engineering. I always suggest M.J. Tomlinson's book on Foundation Design and construction and on Piles. You will find that Peck Hanson and Thornburn; Terzaghi and Peck's 2nd edition will be quite useful - as would Tschebotarioff's Foundation book. These books present a lot of real case studies in their presentation - and you can see how geotechs think.

 

[Patgeotech]

Rhuynh,

Just something further to note - there are occasions when a geotechnical engineer does become involved with concrete (as BigH) implied. In fact some software anaylses will require concrete parameters - i.e. deep excavations.

A geotechnical engineer can become involved with deep excavations (gunite or shotcrete) and a concrete knowledge is essential to ensure the end product is a safe and effective one. Very few geotechnical engineers become involved with lateral support design, probably because of their training and geotechnical background. On our part of the world, the geotechnical engineers tend to come from a civil engineering background where an understanding of the various materials is essential. Some geotech engineers do not come from a civil engineering background and hence lack the materials knowledge or do not need it - all depends on what field of geotech engineering you find yourself in.

I have worked with geotechnical engineers (civil engineers) that were involved with various asphalt and concrete liners associated with waste engineering - again the materials knowledge was beneficial to the end product.

I think that a geotechnical engineer that comes from a materials testing background tends to understand the interactions between the ground and various other materials a little bit better - the geotechnical engineer is becoming a specialised and flexible engineer. I would encourage graduate engineers to understand not only soils but other materials as well because one never knows when a problem will arise that incorporates various material aspects.

 

[Ron]

BigH....

and you can see how geotechs think.

Nahh! I won't go there!

 

[fattdad]

In many of the small firms, it's healty to know as much as you can learn. I'd include materials testing in that mix as well as ground water flow as it relates to environmental assessments, dewatering, ground water resources and wetland creation. Enjoy learning what the structural engineers are up to also. It'll help you understand how to give them the advice they need.

When I become an engineer, I had first worked as a geologist for 8 years, I worked at a geotechnical consulting firm. Landfills and underground storage tanks were emerging issues. The "geotechnical engineers" were not interested in that at all! But, to me the fundamentals were geotechnical and I joined the emerging "environmental" business.

I'd say if it's interesting to you, learn about it. I've been managing our constructin testing business for the last three years. I've learned enough to know I'll be glad when I'm not doing it any more, sigh. . .

f-d

¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

 

[BigH]

Yeah - I know, Ron, 5 geotechnical engineers and 6 answers!

For the record, although a civil engineer trained geotech, I have worked as pavement and materials engineer on highway projects. What one usually finds is that many (not all) geotechs get good seasoning in many different types of projects where, if they aren't involved directly, are involved peripherally - and hence learn something for the next project. Now, I'm involved with stainless steel pipes, rebars and bolts and nuts - a long way from "strict" geotechnical engineering.

 

[Rhuynh]

I have a fundamental knowledge of geotechnical engineering from my educational background. My knowledge of the theory and parameters are there. I'd just like to apply the theory, short of doing page after pages of problems from my textbooks, i'm looking for a more practical understanding such as limitations of software, and interpretation of data output, and just a sense of industry practices.

 

[Ron]

I have the opposite experience. I was hired as a Materials Engineer in the aforementioned "large firm". Because of the heavy geotechnical experience of the firm, I was an anomaly (structural background amidst a bunch of "dirt" guys who didn't give a crap about the structural aspects...just the dirt related stuff). I enjoyed it immensely! Best experience I could have ever gotten. I did the construction materials stuff, ran a geotechnical lab, and did a few geotechnical investigations under the tutelage of some very fine geotechnical engineers. Became recognized within the company as a broadly experienced materials engineer and somewhat of a pavement "expert". I was honored to be included in such and when I ventured out on my own, I had the confidence to work with some world-wide recognized pavement guys (to drop a few names...Matt Witczak, John Emery, and Lynn Irwin) I have treasured such experiences my entire career.

My point is that even though you might be plugged into a technical slot that says "Geotechnical Engineer" you are much better served to learn everything you can about the related construction...concrete, asphalt, steel, etc...so that you can better understand you chosen field and its relative interaction with all other construction.

Read BigH's posts...not just this one....he is exactly what I'm talking about...he is a geotechnical engineer who can delve into related subjects with great technical input and insight....because he is interested and has experience in multiple areas. Fattdad's is similar. Follow their lead...you won't be sorry!!

 

[ngangey]

materials testing for soil is related to geotechnical engineering but for concrete and asphalt is not that much..we have the same case but for me i started as lab technician for soil and rock which is connected to geotechnical. you can try gINT for the software but you really need to learn first the basic such as logging, sampling, drilling etc.