Importance of a geologist in construction project

An engineering Geologist is an individual who applies geologic data, principles, and interpretation so that geologic factors affecting planning, designing, construction and maintenance of civil engineering works and properly recognized and utilized.

They also advise on procedures required for such developments and the suitability of appropriate construction materials. Majority of subsurface exploration for civil engineering project is performed by engineering geologist.

In a construction project an engineering geologist needs are a lot, and plays a very major role in a project, they can predict or forecast of future events and conditions that my develop, they can recommend ways to handling and treating various earth material and process, even provide criteria for excavation and also they can do inspection during construction to confirm conditions of geological environment patterns.

Typical Work Activities Typical activities cover three key areas:

Office-based activities, including:

• consulting geological maps and aerial photographs to advise on site selection;
• undertaking desk studies and assessing sources of site information prior to field investigations;
• assisting with the design of built structures, using specialised computer software or calculations;
• assessing findings for construction engineers;
• collating data and producing reports;
• undertaking additional project management duties;
• overseeing the progress of specific contracts.

Site-based activities, including:

• planning detailed field investigations by drilling and analysing samples of deposits/bedrock;
• supervising site/ground investigations;
• maintaining technical control of a site;
• making visits to new project sites.

Liaising with staff and clients, including:

• advising on and testing a range of construction materials, for example sand, gravel, bricks and clay;
• making recommendations on the proposed use of a site;
• advising on problems such as subsidence;
• providing information and advice to clients as required;
• ensuring that a site investigation progresses to budget;
• managing staff, including other engineering geologists, geotechnical engineers, consultants and contractors;
• attending professional conferences and representing the company or organisation at other events.

When building a tunnel, Prior to tunnel inspections, a general site reconnaissance should be performed by a geologist to observe the existing ground surface

conditions and geology in the vicinity of the tunnel portals and ventilation building located on the side of the tunnels. The purpose of the site reconnaissance is to evaluate the existing surface conditions in an attempt to identify possible causes of the groundwater infiltration experienced within the tunnel structures.

Reference:

- Geotechnical and foundation Engineering Design and Construction, Robert W.Day, New York.

- Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironment Engineering, November 2006. volume 132, number 11, American society of civil engineers.

- http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_ types_of_jobs /Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&pageno=1&idno=111
- OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE, Engineering geologist
- 57th ANNUAL HIGHWAY GEOLOGY SYMPOSIUM HOSTED BY :The Colorado Geological Survey, The Colorado Department of Transportation.