Why Should You Hire a Geotechnical Engineer?

Every successful construction project must be built on solid foundations. Before any earth is broken, you need to put in the necessary (and very literal) groundwork to ensure that the project is feasible, that the construction is safe, and that there will be no adverse effects on the environment. 

You need the assistance of a geotechnical engineer.

Geotechnical engineering is a subset of civil engineering that focuses on how earth materials like soil, rock and groundwater interact with man-made structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams and roads.

The goal is to ensure that the subsurface - the geology beneath any construction - is capable of supporting whatever is built on top. This can involve analysis of the existing site, and the design and construction of all manner of foundations, slopes and retaining structures to strengthen it.

The focus of geotechnical engineering at a development consultancy like Eliot Sinclair is to ensure the safety, strength and longevity of a construction by ensuring it is built on the most solid of foundations. This is why you'll find geotech professionals brought in as consultants in pretty much every private or commercial building project or civil engineering development. 

What does a geotechnical engineer do?

Geotechnical engineers are brought in at the very beginning of a construction project. Their job is to investigate the geological properties of the site - the soil, the bedrock, the groundwater, the slope stability - to analyse its suitability for the proposed construction project. Also to identify potential risks and hazards like settlement, slope instability and groundwater seepage. They drill, take soil samples and use different tests to conduct this analysis.

This information is compiled in a geotechnical report, which, among other things, will outline:

• The geological history and soil composition of the site.
• The geological and geotechnical feasibility of your site, and how it compares to surrounding sites.
• The load-bearing capacity of the ground.
• The groundwater conditions and water flow paths, and how they might affect the proposed construction.

The geotechnical engineer is then tasked with crafting solutions to any identified issues, using principles of hydrology and soil and rock mechanics to design foundations that can safely support the weight and pressures of the structures that will be built.

When it comes to geotechnical design, engineers will work closely with other professionals, such as architects and structural engineers, to craft solutions that align with the realities, limitations and goals of the project. In a multidisciplinary consultancy like Eliot Sinclair, these experts collaborate simultaneously on a project, providing significant time and cost savings.

Geotechnical engineering is important because it identifies potential ground risks, confirms the feasibility of your construction plans, and helps you make more informed decisions through the lifecycle of the project. By capitalising on geotechnical engineering services, you'll gain expert guidance on a wealth of critical project considerations, such as: 

• The placement of structures. 
• How secondary structures like roads and car parks will affect your project. 
• Water mitigation. 
• Land remediation. 
• General risk assessment and reduction. 

So what problems do geotechnical engineers solve? Ultimately, geotechnical investigation ensures the safety, stability and sustainability of any built structure, including private and commercial construction and civil engineering projects. 

In truth, the reasons to hire a geotechnical engineer from a development consultancy firm like Eliot Sinclair extend beyond the success of a given project. Bringing in specialty geotech knowledge can deliver tangible benefits to your development project, most notably:

Time and money savings

Armed with a deep understanding of the geological conditions of your site, you can optimise construction methods, lower material costs, minimise or prevent unexpected delays and avoid costly remediation efforts. Ultimately a geotechnical engineer's knowledge and expertise can drive serious efficiencies, saving you a lot of time and money and helping you to maximise the profitability of any given project.

Safety and compliance

Depending on local geotechnical rules and regulations, geotechnical recommendations are often a requirement of the permitting process for a construction project. By conducting thorough, accurate geological investigations, engineers ensure that your project complies with all the necessary codes, rules and regulations. They also help to make sure that the project is safe for workers during the construction phase, for the surrounding environment, and for those who use or visit the site once the project is complete.

At Eliot Sinclair we're passionate about shaping a better tomorrow, by providing the geotechnical expertise you need to plan, design and deliver your development project. We provide all the consultancy services needed to complete the transformative private or commercial projects that will push New Zealand forward.

With offices up and down Te Waiponanmu, we grant you local access to the best technical minds, who can guarantee the safety and compliance of your project while driving efficiencies within it.

Save time, money, and hassle, and build better. Get in touch with our friendly team today.