Engineering geologist
Encyclopedia
An engineering geologist is a geologist
trained in the discipline of engineering geology
. Many organizations and governments have programs for the qualification, testing and certification of engineering geologists as a protection to the public.
Engineering geologists commonly work with civil engineer
s, architect
s, developers and planners, to ensure that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately provided for.
One of the earliest definitions of the "Engineering Geologist" or "Professional Engineering Geologist" was provided by the Executive Committee of the Division on Engineering Geology of the Geological Society of America in 1951, as follows:
One of the most important roles of the engineering geologist is the interpretation of landforms and earth processes to identify potential geologic and related manmade hazards that may impact civil structures and human development. Nearly all engineering geologists are initially trained and educated in geology
, primarily during their undergraduate education. This background in geology provides the engineering geologist with an understanding of how the earth works, which is crucial in mitigating for earth related hazards. Most engineering geologists also have graduate degrees where they have gained specialized education and training in soil mechanics
, rock mechanics
, geotechnics
, groundwater
, hydrology
, and civil design. These two aspects of the engineering geologists' education provides them with a unique ability to understand and mitigate for hazards associated with earth-structure interactions.
Licensure In the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, the title of Engineering Geologist is legally protected by state registration boards. In California and Oregon, the licensure title is Certified Engineering Geologist, and in Washington it is Licensed Engineering Geologist. These are higher-level licenses and you must first become a Professional Geologist or Registered Geologist. The 2007 California Building Code (=CCR Title 24) specifies the title of Certified Engineering Geologist for the practice of engineering geology. As of 2009, there are about 1,600 Certified Engineering Geologists in California.
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
trained in the discipline of engineering geology
Engineering geology
Engineering geology is the application of the geologic sciences to engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately provided for...
. Many organizations and governments have programs for the qualification, testing and certification of engineering geologists as a protection to the public.
Engineering geologists commonly work with civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
s, architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s, developers and planners, to ensure that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately provided for.
One of the earliest definitions of the "Engineering Geologist" or "Professional Engineering Geologist" was provided by the Executive Committee of the Division on Engineering Geology of the Geological Society of America in 1951, as follows:
A professional engineering geologist is a person who, by reason of his special knowledge of the geological sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design acquired by professional education or practical experience, is qualified to apply such special knowledge for the purpose of rendering professional services or accomplishing creative work such as consultation, investigation, planning, design or supervision of construction for the purpose of assuring that the geologic elements affecting the structures, works or projects are adequately treated by the responsible engineer.
One of the most important roles of the engineering geologist is the interpretation of landforms and earth processes to identify potential geologic and related manmade hazards that may impact civil structures and human development. Nearly all engineering geologists are initially trained and educated in geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, primarily during their undergraduate education. This background in geology provides the engineering geologist with an understanding of how the earth works, which is crucial in mitigating for earth related hazards. Most engineering geologists also have graduate degrees where they have gained specialized education and training in soil mechanics
Soil mechanics
Soil mechanics is a branch of engineering mechanics that describes the behavior of soils. It differs from fluid mechanics and solid mechanics in the sense that soils consist of a heterogeneous mixture of fluids and particles but soil may also contain organic solids, liquids, and gasses and other...
, rock mechanics
Rock mechanics
Rock mechanics is the theoretical and applied science of the mechanical behaviour of rock and rock masses;also compared to the geology, it is that branch of mechanics concerned with the response of rock and rock masses to the force fields of their physical environment.Rock mechanics itself forms...
, geotechnics
Geotechnics
Geotechnics is the application of scientific methods and engineering principles to the acquisition, interpretation, and use of knowledge of materials of the Earth's crust and earth materials for the solution of engineering problems...
, groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water. The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock...
, hydrology
Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability...
, and civil design. These two aspects of the engineering geologists' education provides them with a unique ability to understand and mitigate for hazards associated with earth-structure interactions.
Licensure In the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, the title of Engineering Geologist is legally protected by state registration boards. In California and Oregon, the licensure title is Certified Engineering Geologist, and in Washington it is Licensed Engineering Geologist. These are higher-level licenses and you must first become a Professional Geologist or Registered Geologist. The 2007 California Building Code (=CCR Title 24) specifies the title of Certified Engineering Geologist for the practice of engineering geology. As of 2009, there are about 1,600 Certified Engineering Geologists in California.
See also
- Engineering geologyEngineering geologyEngineering geology is the application of the geologic sciences to engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately provided for...
- GeotechnicsGeotechnicsGeotechnics is the application of scientific methods and engineering principles to the acquisition, interpretation, and use of knowledge of materials of the Earth's crust and earth materials for the solution of engineering problems...
- Geotechnical engineeringGeotechnical engineeringGeotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of earth materials. Geotechnical engineering is important in civil engineering, but is also used by military, mining, petroleum, or any other engineering concerned with construction on or in the ground...
- Geotechnical investigationGeotechnical investigationGeotechnical investigations are performed by geotechnical engineers or engineering geologists to obtain information on the physical properties of soil and rock around a site to design earthworks and foundations for proposed structures and for repair of distress to earthworks and structures caused...