Architects have the greatest influence on changes to our landscape. They determine how the skyline will look, where we will live, and how we think about our living environment. The appearance of our landscape is also determined by the civil engineers who plan and build our roadways and bridges. These structures are built to last. Taking into account the magnitude of the investment in millions, even billions, of dollars, a sturdy, solid structure is the first requirement. However, the earth that these structures are built on is anything but sturdy and solid. For this reason, the architect and civil engineer need to start the design process with a relationship with a geotechnical consultant. Geotechnical consultants have a full understanding of the properties of the earth and how structures must take these properties into account.

When we think of properties of the earth that can destabilize a structure, earthquakes are usually the first to come to mind. In areas like California that are spider-webbed with geological faults, earthquake-proofing is the first consideration. These geological faults are the result of the slow, gradual movement of the earth’s tectonic plates. As these plates move, they gradually crush their way against the neighboring plates. When buildings are to be built in these areas, the geotechnical engineer studies the structure of the fault lines and history of the area to determine how the foundation of the new building, roadway, or bridge must be configured so that it will not collapse if an earthquake strikes. It must be remembered that California isn’t the only area that has experienced earthquakes. They also happen in such unexpected areas as Missouri, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Earthquakes aren’t the only event that can threaten the foundation of a structure. Two others are landslides and rock falls, which are very similar. When these events happen, problems can occur at both ends. If the building it at the top of the hill, it can fall down. If it is at the bottom of the hill, it can be buried in falling debris, and people below can be injured by falling rocks. Falling rock zones can occur where the hill structure consists of rock such as limestone that contains many cracks. If water seeps into the cracks as winter approaches, the water can freeze. As we all know, when water freezes, it expands. This expanding ice acts like a wedge, putting stress on the cracks and causing it to crumble. This crumbling rock then crashes down the slope.

Another source of instability in the earth is underground water. The first place to come to mind with this potential problem is the watery State of Florida. Geotechnical engineers have to make sure that structures will not be undermined by sinkholes or soil liquefaction. Careful testing is needed because it is difficult to determine that an area is prone to sinkholes unless they have been seen historically.

But land isn’t the only location where this type of study is needed. Waterside areas also need to be evaluated when a pier is or wharf is to be built.

It should now be obvious that consulting a geotechnical engineer is a vital first step in developing a new structure, whether it is a skyscraper, road, bridge, or wharf is to be built.

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