The world has no shortage of engineers, but it does need people who specialize in certain areas of engineering.
‘Geoprofessions’ refer to the engineering disciplines that relate to the Earth and the environmental services applied to it. Here we are discussing four engineering branches that relate to geotechnical engineering and information about how they can be used:
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is probably the closest in relation to geotechnical engineering. Environmental engineers try to solve problems facing the environment by using the principles of engineering, chemistry and biology.
The tasks of environmental engineers include:
- Preparing and evaluating investigation reports.
- Designing water reclamation, air pollution control, and waste conversion projects.
- Providing technical support for projects.
- Obtaining and updating plans and procedures and advising corporations and governments about the same.
- Making sure municipal and industrial facilities comply with environmental regulations.
- Analysing scientific data and performing quality-control checks.
- Monitoring the progress of environmental improvement programmes.
- Conducting studies about hazardous waste management.
As you can see, some of these roles are similar to those of a geotechnical engineer. Environmental engineers also assess whether the sites are safe enough for construction.
They also look at the task from the opposite perspective. The geotechnical engineers want to make sure that no humans are endangered; environmental engineers make sure that wildlife and nature aren’t harmed.
Geological Engineering
Geological engineering is also known as ‘engineering geology’. Geology, as we all know, is the study of pressure and time. More specifically, the effect that these two elements have on rocks. Engineering geologists are concerned with
They apply of the geological sciences to engineering study in order to assure that the company has accounted for the geological factors of the engineering work such as design, location, operation, construction, and maintenance.
Engineering geologists are educated about the recognition and interpretation of natural processes. The understand how these processes impact human-made structures and vice versa. They also mitigate against hazards resulting from adverse natural or human-made conditions.
Their prime objective is to protect life and property against damage caused by various geological conditions such as cyclones, earthquakes, and floods.
Water Resource Engineering
Another field that can offer assistance is water resource engineering, also known as hydrogeology. Like environmental engineering, water resource engineering is a subset of civil engineering.
Water resource engineers design and develop systems and equipment for water resource management facilities and water treatment plants. With this equipment, they can help manage human resources. They also oversee the construction and maintenance of these systems. Water treatment plants, sewage systems, underground wells, and naturally flowing springs are some of the areas where water resource engineers operate.
They are in charge of treating the water and managing aquatic resources. This is why they build tools and equipment to help with their cause. They analyse data from other places in the area to develop the best procedure.
This is a huge task as they must keep the water clean and free of contaminants. Obviously, clean water is a necessity wherever you live. The water resource engineers must also take government regulations and their budget into account when designing these systems. They may work for the government themselves or at separate engineering firms.
They collaborate with geotechnical engineers and advise them on constructing that it does not affect the water. The water resource managers must also bring fresh, clean water to the newly built area.
Climate Engineering
As their name suggests, climate engineering is engineering with respect to the Earth’s climate. Climate engineers attempt to intervene with the Earth’s climate in a bid to prevent it from changing too adversely. The main aim is to reduce global warming. They can do this by either removing carbon dioxide or managing solar radiation.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and contributes to the heating up of the Earth because it prevents heat from escaping. By eliminating some of it from the atmosphere, the engineers hope to decrease climate change.
Solar radiation management is when climate engineers design and develop tools so the Earth will absorb less solar radiation. It goes directly to the root of the problem and tries to fix it. They are not the simple solution to climate change and must not be used as the sole method to fix the overall temperature of the Earth. In fact, we should all do our part if we want the Earth to remain a habitable place for the future generations.
These are the fields that relate to geotechnical engineering and what SparGrp is doing. These engineers can use their expertise to help us design and construct buildings in an eco-friendly manner.
Contact us for a discussion about your next Geotechnical Project in India or overseas.