Job Role: Geotechnical Engineer

Geotechnical engineers are in great demand in the field oftrenchless technology并在任何飞越项目中发挥非常重要的作用。他们负责以广泛的调查和提供基本信息岩土工程报告that helps begin the process of planning a project.

Without a geotechnical engineer, proceeding with a trenchless project is essentially drilling in the dark.

钻孔时可能出现各种问题，包括cross-boring和encountering strata for which the contractor is not prepared. (读：Cross-Boring Can Be Deadly: Avoid Tragedy with These Important Work Practices.) This can lead to heavy financial losses for the contractor and even result in damage to property and injury to workers.

Only a licensed geotechnical engineer should perform a geotechnical investigation for a trenchless project. This will ensure that accurate information is made available and that the right decisions are made. Here we will take a look at the job role of a geotechnical engineer.

A Geotechnical Engineer's Job Role

A geotechnical engineer is responsible for different activities in a trenchless project. While the job role is varied and exciting, it is also very extensive and demanding. Other than their expertise in soil and rock investigation, they are also expected to have aworking knowledge of different engineering fields如材料科学，结构工程，石油工程或海洋工程。

Changing technology is helping to develop advanced equipment to make geotechnical investigations more thorough and reliable. Geotechnical engineers need to stay updated with the latest developments in their field to create better geotechnical reports which help contractors make the most of their time and project budget. (读：How These Top Geotechnical Investigation Trends Are Shaping the Future of Trenchless Technology.)

Geotechnical engineers are expected to:

• Perform geotechnical analysis to study and understand the condition of the site under investigation.
• Plan a thorough geotechnical investigation of the site using direct and间接methods of site investigation.
• Analyze the findings obtained from thesite investigationincluding desk study and laboratory analysis of soil and rock samples.
• Interpret地质信息to evaluate subsurface conditions for design feasibility.
• Perform hydraulic fracture and inadvertent return analysis.
• Highlight difficult and tricky subsurface conditions to provide recommendations for risk mitigation for the duration of the project.
• Scheduling and risk management for all work related to geotechnical initiatives.
• Determine the schedule and cost of investigations.
• Monitor and report daily activities.
• Conduct field andlab testson a regular basis to detect changes in geology that may not have been recorded in the initial report.
• 提供维修field test equipment.
• Data management, quality control of geological data, planning, resource forecasting, cost estimating, scheduling and risk management for all geological and geotechnical initiatives.
• Keep themselves up-to-date on new technology and equipment, updated safety regulations and applicable environmental laws.

Equipment in a Geotechnical Engineer's Tool Box

Geotechnical engineers are trained to work with a variety of equipment depending on the site conditions. A trenchless construction project includessurvey tools对于诸如运输，激光经纬仪，全站仪等土地的调查，以测量角度和距离。

他们还包括地面调查的设备，如地面雷达（GPR）, a global positioning system (GPS),钻机to retrieve core samples, a reverse circulation drilling rig,dynamic probingset, soil extensometers, vane shear test equipment, a resistivity meter, and a seismograph. (READ：Why a Detailed Geotechnical Report Means Success for Your Trenchless Project。）

A geotechnical engineer’slab equipmentincludes (but is not limited to):

• Soil cone penetrometer
• 塑料极限和收缩限制集
• Mud balance
• Grain size analyzer
• Proctor压实试验装置
• Core cutter
• Permeability constant head test
• Permeability falling head test
• 相对密度测试
• Consolidation apparatus
• Direct shear test apparatus
• California bearing ratio (CBR) apparatus
• Unconfined compression tester
• Triaxial shear test apparatus
• Static cone penetrometer
• Split spoon sampler
• Plate bearing test
• Proctor hammer

有什么工作风险？

岩土工程师必须在现场和实验室中花费很多时间。他们必须在各种天气条件和所有类型的地形工作。

这为本职业带来了一定的风险，因为它们将不得不应对地质灾害，如山体滑坡，土壤侵蚀，偶尔地震和其他风险的不利影响。

What are the Qualifications to Become a Geotechnical Engineer?

学士学位是在这一领域开始职业的必要学位。相关科目包括工程地质，地球物理，岩土工程和矿产或采矿工程。那些完成土木工程学位的人可以通过与相关机构注册来进入该领域。

Some employers prefer postgraduate qualifications, such as a Masters (MSc) degree in soil or rock mechanics, geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, hydrogeology, or foundation engineering.

Some professional societies and organizations that geotechnical engineers can enroll with areInternational Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo Institute， 和Academy of Geoprofessionals.

What Can Geotechnical Engineers Expect in the Job?

• Long durations of staying away from home for the duration of a project.
• Extensive and extended travel to projects in different locations within the country and abroad.
• Continuous monitoring of the site for potential geological hazards that can risk the project.
• 与项目范围内的不同专业层次结构协调，以保持工作流动平稳和连续。
• Responsibility for the safety of people and equipment that they will be handling for the project.
• 作为所采取的决策和给出的建议将直接影响项目成本，其高度的财务责任。
• 伟大的学习和职业生涯增长机会，与几种类型的专业人士和情况都会有广泛的互动。