What Does
Geological Engineering Mean?
Geological Engineering is a branch of civil engineering that involves the survey of the geological conditions of a particular area. The details of this survey are used for locating, designing and constructing different types of engineering works. In trenchless construction, geological engineering plays an important role because it is important to be aware of the terrain and any formations present before any kind of underground tunneling work is carried out. In fact, geology and tunnels go hand in hand because tunneling can be very risky.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Geological Engineering
The topography of a given area may look straightforward, but below the surface, soil conditions may be drastically different. Since tunneling sometimes involves passing through vast swaths of land, soil conditions may vary a number of times. Much of the geological information of an area, including underground utilities, may be available in city records and can be referred to before a project is considered. However, information may be outdated and require updating. Carrying out a comprehensive geological survey by professional surveyors helps the project designer to consider all kinds of ground conditions to arrive at a sustainable design for the tunnel. Tunneling involves use of heavy machinery such as a tunnel boring machine (TBM) or a horizontal directional drilling rig (HDD). An improperly surveyed project site can lead to failure of project, incurring heavy financial losses for the owner and contractor and can also prove hazardous for the workers.