Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
(OP)
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.
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.





RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
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.
RE: Materials Testing = 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).
RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
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.
RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
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.
RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
Nahh! I won't go there!
RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
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!
RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
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.
RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?
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!!
RE: Materials Testing = Geotechnical Engineering?