Feet on the ground: engineering geology past, present and future

Abstract

Engineering geology has a long and rich heritage and the UK has been in the vanguard of the development of the subject as a distinct discipline, with the first book on the subject being published in London in 1880. Since then, engineering geology has been applied to projects around the world and engineering geologists have become core members of planning, investigation, design and construction teams in the civil engineering and mining industries. However, in the past few decades we have seen numerical analyses increasingly being accepted as the answer to all geotechnical design questions, although as engineering geologists we are used to dealing with natural materials and processes and recognize that their inherent variability cannot always be reduced to a simple numerical value. Consequently, how do we ensure that any proposed construction works in civil engineering or mining take full account of this variability and the uncertainties that result? To enable engineering geologists to understand and describe these uncertainties are there fundamental skills that define an engineering geologist and, if so, how can these skills be taught or acquired? Also, in a world dominated by readily accessible data that can be downloaded and analysed for so many planned development sites, how important are the field techniques of observation and mapping that an older generation of engineering geologists, including the author, considered their defining skill? Concentrating on the role of engineering geology in relation to civil engineering, these are amongst the questions explored in this paper, leading to observations as to how the profession might develop in the future in order to meet the needs of society.

The lines of evidence approach to challenges faced in engineering geological practice

“…The history of engineering geology was discussed by Griffiths (2014) in the fourteenth Glossop Lecture. He reminded us of the statement by Burwell & Roberts (1950) that engineering geology is not a branch of geology but the application of all branches of geology to the practical problems of engineering.…”

Diversity in the science and practice of engineering geology

“…It is also addressed by Knill in the First Hans Cloos Lecture (Knill 2003) and again by Griffiths in the 14th Glossop Lecture (Griffiths 2014). These sources form the basis of this summary.…”

“…As part of his discussion on risk and uncertainty, he states 'If codes and standards are adopted without question, then ground engineering overall is stagnating and the lack of appreciation of the ground conditions is leading to designs that are safe but over-expensive, over-elaborate and not an effective use of diminishing resources'. Figure 7 from Griffiths (2014) illustrates the relationship between risk and the role of codes and standards, good practice, risk-based analyses, judgement and innovation in the design process. Innovation has an important place in design but 'will require a more flexible attitude, and research and testing of new approaches will be necessary'.…”

“…Innovation has an important place in design but 'will require a more flexible attitude, and research and testing of new approaches will be necessary'. (Griffiths 2014).…”

Chapter 1 Introduction to engineering geology and geomorphology of glaciated and periglaciated terrains

“…This is demonstrated by the case histories of construction failures presented in Section 1.2 and the case studies in Chapter 9. Wherever possible, the publication of material in the scientific literature on the success or otherwise of a project must therefore be encouraged to avoid 'reinventing the wheel' (Griffiths 2014…”