What Do Geotechnical Engineers Do? Reddy Kancharla Explains
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According to Reddy Kancharla, everything built on the ground requires the expertise of a geotechnical engineer. These professionals are there to ensure the stability of structures and to make sure everything built can withstand external forces.
In this blog post, Reddy Kancharla explains the importance of geotechnical engineering and the various responsibilities of a geotechnical engineer.
Preliminary Assessments
First, geotechnical engineers conduct preliminary investigations. This includes an assessment of the ground and the environment. A geotechnical investigation has to be conducted even before the structure is designed.
Reddy Kancharla explains that there are several aspects to evaluating geotechnical properties, including the exploration of both the surface and the subsurface. Water content and soil properties are measured and analyzed as well.
The investigation can involve a simple physical observation of the site. It can also involve a battery of tests. These tests include penetration tests and soil sampling. Examples of more in-depth tests are Atterberg limit tests, water content measurement, grain size analysis, and more.
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Designing the Project's Foundation
Next, geotechnical engineers also do foundation design. The design of the foundation, its depth, and its type depend on the planned structure and a number of ground properties.
For example, geotechnical engineers take into consideration the bearing capacity. This is the ability of the ground to fully support the load of the structure. They also look at settlement, which refers to the tendency of the soil to move downward due to the vertical strain the structure imposes on the ground.
Determining Ground Movement
Finally, Reddy Kancharla says that geotechnical engineers look at ground movement. Ground movement pertains to the movement underneath the structure caused by climatic changes, a shift in temperature, slope instability, and others.
Reddy Kancharla has been involved in the civil engineering and construction industry, geotechnical consultation, and construction quality assurance. Learn more about the Osmania University alumnus by visiting this page.
