Geotechnical Engineering:DAMS

What is Geotechnical Engineering?Geo = earth Technical = having special knowledgeWhat do Geotechnical Engineers do?

Evaluate soil properties to fully understand the below surface conditions of an area.

Design the foundations that structures will be built on.

Why do we need Geotechnical Engineers? Questions Geotechnical Engineers answer:

How tall can we make a building on this ground?

What kind of foundation will be able to support this structure?

Can we build a road, bridge or dam here?If we cut through this mountain, will the

slopes collapse down onto the road?

When do we need Geotechnical Engineers?In order to have a successful structure, you

have to have a successful foundation.If the foundation fails then the structure will

fail.Need to protect against differential

settlement, rock slides (slope stability), flooding and many other types of failures.

So to answer the question…Geotechnical Engineers are needed whenever there is construction!

Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Gone Wrong

Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Gone Wrong

Interstate 35W bridge collapse in

Minneapolis, MinnesotaAugust 1st, 2007

Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Gone Right

What is a Dam?A dam is a barrier that impounds water or

underground streams; they serve the purpose of retaining water.

Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity.

A dam can also be used to collect water or for the storage of water, which can be evenly distributed between locations.

Types of Dams…

Arch Dams- Distributes force to the

walls of the valley or canyon

Gravity Dam- Uses the weight of the concrete to absorb the forces of the water

Buttress Dam-Uses buttresses to transfer the force of the water to the

foundation

Types of Dams…

Embankment Dam-Uses mounds of soil or rock with an impervious core to hold the forces of the water

Careers with Geotechnical Engineering• Salary: $51,000–$61,000• Education: Bachelor’s• Experience: 0-2 years

Civil Engineer

• Salary: $50,000–$57,000• Education: Bachelor’s • Experience: 0-2 years

Geotechnical Engineer

• Salary: $43,000–$57,000• Education: Bachelor’s• Experience: 0-2 years

Construction

Coordinator

Civil EngineerDesigns and supervises construction projects

such as airports, bridges, channels, dams, railroads and roads.

Responsibilities also include estimating costs and personnel and material needs, preparing proposals and establishing completion dates.

Geotechnical EngineerPrepares and inspects projects involving

drilling and exploration.

Responsible for geological mapping, report writing, site characterization, numerical modeling and analysis of excavations/supports.

Construction CoordinatorCoordinates construction scheduling and

communication, and acts as a liaison to the project management concerning bids, subcontracting, progress and delays.

May be responsible for estimates, schedules, materials and purchase orders.

Supervises the installation of equipment and components in the assigned field.

Requires technical knowledge to assist installing contractors.

Hoover Dam FactsThere is enough concrete in the Hoover Dam (4

1/2 million cubic yards) to build a 2 lane road from Seattle, Washington to Miami, Florida or a 4 ft. wide sidewalk around the Earth at the Equator.

More than 8.5 million pounds of dynamite was used to blast the foundation for the dam and 8 miles of tunnels through the canyon walls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7Fm2cM-1tU