Question

 Explain field applications of geotechnical engineering.

Answer 1

Field applications of Geotechnical Engineering:

1. Design of foundation for various civil structures: As foundation resting on soil carries load of any particular structure, geotechnical engineering is applicable to design such stable foundations for various loads. 2. Design of pavement for various types of roads: Layers of pavement made up of sand, gravel is laid on sub grade soil can be designed in terms of thickness, load carrying capacity using geotechnical engineering. 3. Design of earth retaining structures: Geotechnical engineering is also applicable to design and construct earth retaining structures like retaining wall and sheet pile useful for hill roads, landslides. 4. Design of water retaining structures: Geotechnical is very much applicable for easy and safe design and execution and maintenance of earthen dam, weir, barrage etc. 5. Design of underground structures: Underground pipelines i.e. water supply and sewage lines require geotechnical engineers for effective work. It is also significant in safe excavation of proposed alignment. 

Answer 2

Field applications of Geotechnical Engineering: 1. Design of foundation for various structures: Foundation is required to transfer the load of super structure to foundation soil and to give stability to the super structure. The size and type of foundation is affected by the bearing capacity of soil. The GTE helps in design of foundation by investigating bearing capacity of soil. 2. Design of pavement for various roads: A pavement constructed with various material placing in layer in compact, dense form which support to vehicle wheel loads. The wheel load is repetitive and varying in magnitude. The thickness of each layer for type road, nature, climate condition and bearing capacity of soil on which pavement is constructed is varying. The GTE is applicable in pavement layer design i.e. thickness. 3. Design of earth retaining structures i.e. retaining wall, sheet pile: The sloping ground is to be leveled by constructing earth retaining structure and Filling natural soil behind it. The GTE is helpful to ensure stability of such structure by studying earth pressure. 4. Design of water retaining structures i.e. Dam, weir etc.: The construction of earthen dam requires permeable and impermeable soil. The position each soil, their function is different. The section of dam should be stable against water pressure, seepage pressure, which can be studied under GTE. 5. Design of underground structures i.e. pipeline, tunnels etc.: The shape of tunnel depends on the type of soil, geological stability of beds. GTE is necessary to study shear strength, permeability of soil for such structure. 

Answer 3

Field Application of geotechnical engineering:

1. In foundation design

2. In pavement design

3. In earth retaining structure

4. In design of earthen dams.

5. In design of embankments.

6. In design of underground structures. 

In design of underground structures: While designing the underground structures such as tunnels conducts power houses. The role of soil is important as load is transferred through the soil, therefore stress distribution should be taken into account.