Geology: Engineer Ignore It at Your Peril
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 6
Abstract
Geology and related earth processes are an inherent part of civil engineering design and construction. This paper examines eight specific examples to illustrate how geologic factors can dominate project behavior. The examples are from a spectrum of environments associated with design and construction of roads and airfields and vary from the apparently obvious to the more subtle. Failure to understand the geologic conditions at a site almost invariably results in unsatisfactory performance. This complex interplay between geology and engineering is at the heart of the geotechnical profession and should be appreciated by all.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support for the work described in this paper was provided by various organizations including the Air Force (AF) Civil Engineer Support Agency (AFCESA), AF Air Combat Command, AF Space Command, AF 819th and 823rd RED HORSE Squadrons, Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District, Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Project Office, Army Training and Doctrine Command, Southern Command, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Many people contributed to the efforts described here including colleagues at ERDC Waterways Experiment Station (WES) and ERDC Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) and numerous individuals at the project sites. The writers would like to thank Mr. George Blaisdell (CRREL), Mr. James Greene (AFCESA), and the late Mr. Bryant Mather (Director Emeritus, WES) for their review and comments on the paper. The support of ERDC in preparing this paper is also acknowledged. The views expressed in this paper are those of the writers alone and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any government agency.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 6 • June 2005
Pages: 783 - 791
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: May 21, 2002
Accepted: Aug 10, 2004
Published online: Jun 1, 2005
Published in print: Jun 2005
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