Field applications of Geotechnical Engineering are as follows:
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 st. 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 permealile 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.