This is without any doubt the age of technology. Everywhere you look, you can see people of all generations using various gadgets. However, if you raise your head from your smartphone or tablet, you will see that another field of work is being developed as we speak (or write) – civil engineering. New buildings emerge faster than ever before and the technology plays an important role in this process. But there are also educated people whose hard work ensures that those structures are safe and durable. They are called geotechnical engineers.
Soil experts for fast progress
The main task for experts in the field of geotechnical engineering is to gather data about the soil and rocks in a particular area and analyse them, in order to ensure that the future structure built on that ground is properly “fastened” to the soil. As a prerequisite for a safe construction procedure, geo-engineers need to prepare all the soil calculations in advance. Only then, construction engineers and architects can do their share of work. This is why construction managers have to include geotechnical engineers in their teams.
Their presence brings numerous benefits. Firstly, they ensure a higher level of workplace safety. Secondly, the work of geotechnical engineers lowers the risk of additional expenses that might be incurred by unexpected soil movements and reactions to construction work. Finally, geotechnical engineers are a guarantee that the agreed deadlines will be met. You can learn more about geotechnical risk management here.
Global demand and job perspectives
Although many professions have already fallen to oblivion due to rapid technological development, geotechnical engineers are on the winning streak. Since the global market is changing the rules of the game, this sort of engineering is expected to become one of the most lucrative professions in the years to come. This is not something we’d like to happen – it’s a fact. If you know that people are already planning to build hyperloop transportation tracks, vertical cities and other futuristic megastructures, it goes without saying that this kind of work will be among the most popular ones in the next few decades.
Blending IT and geotechnics
Mentioning geotechnical engineering and the IT-field at the beginning of this piece wasn’t a coincidence. These two fields of expertise can yield amazing results in this time and age. The most obvious advantage that comes from this joint effort is its time-saving nature. For instance, today you can use your smartphone to determine your working location, which speeds up the entire process.
Moreover, we can farewell the old-school, paper-cluttered offices of geotechnical engineers. Nowadays, they use electronic documents. Also, they can simply take photos of areas meant for future construction sites and automatically upload them to their online databases. And if they have a fair wireless connection, they can do a large share of calculations and analysis on the spot; a priceless improvement for large construction projects. This opens new opportunities for geotechnical engineering consultants to improve their range of services and help their clients perfect their skills.
Green engineering and future challenges
As a result of technological progress, it’s possible to enrich your geotechnical work with numerous ecological features. For example, the aforementioned use of smart devices can reduce your paper footprint. Furthermore, some calculations can be done from the office, which reduces the number of times you drive to the construction site.
Furthermore, geotechnical engineering is one of those fields that should incorporate ecology in each and every segment of its work. In the future it will be important not only to build a dam, a bridge or a new city, but to create it in accordance with strict ecological regulations. Therefore, geotechnical engineers will have to become genuine green engineers to meet the demands of the ecological future.
The economic potentials of geotechnical engineering and technology are enormous. The engineers working in this field only need to accept new tech solutions to expand their knowledge and ensure their role in the global economy of the future.
nice…The economic potentials of geotechnical engineering and technology are enormous. The engineers working in this field only need to accept new tech solutions to expand their knowledge and ensure their role in the global economy of the future.