Graduation season has arrived, and many new and aspiring civil engineers are considering their next steps in their careers. Geotechnical engineering may be a lesser-known subset of civil engineering, but it is in-demand, pays well, and supports nearly every civil engineering project. So, Reddy Kancharla wants to share more about it and why it might be an ideal career option for you.
What Does a Geotechnical Engineer Do
Geotechnical
engineers investigate subsurface geologic conditions using rock and soil
mechanics. Reddy Kancharla believes these investigations are essential in
designing structure foundations, earthen structures, and pavement subgrades. In
addition, geotechnical engineers deal with geotechnical hazards and risks. If
the building has support from soil or rock beneath, geotechnical engineers are
in charge of devising practical solutions to ensure the project's safety and
viability.
Geotechnical
engineers investigate soil, rock, groundwater, and artificial materials with
earth retention systems, structure foundations, and other civil engineering
work. In addition, they conduct detailed soil investigations to help determine
the soil’s ability to support a stable foundation. Reddy Kancharla believes
every geotechnical engineer must learn about and understand ground hazards and
risks and find practical solutions to these problems.
What Does This Career Require?
Reddy
Kancharla believes geotechnical engineers, like all engineers, must be
excellent communicators in their daily work. A significant portion of the job
entails writing clear, concise, and technically accurate reports. In addition,
geotechnical engineers must write about site characterizations, their
implications for design, and other analyses they conduct in a way that
non-technical readers can comprehend.
Geotechnical
engineers must work outside in various environmental and weather conditions.
Therefore, they usually divide their time between working on-site and in
offices. Geotechnical engineers must also be proficient with computers, as
using specialized geotechnical software programs and databases is a vital part
of their job.
If you think all these factors are ideal for you, Reddy Kancharla strongly advises you to pursue a meaningful and rewarding career in geotechnical engineering.
