Choosing a specialization in masters is equally important as selecting a college to pursue M.Tech. Geotechnical engineering is a special discipline of civil engineering concerning geologic materials, groundwater's behaviour and structural interconnected properties.
From a scientific perspective, geotechnical engineering largely involves defining the soil's strength and deformation properties. Specialism involves using scientific methods and principles of engineering to collect and interpret the physical properties of the ground for use in building and construction.
What does a Geotechnical Engineer Do?
Geotechnical engineers generally perform ground investigation, geological investigations, sample testing, and prepare reports before any type of construction. They do complete soil investigation and give reports that will be further used to determine the nature and capacity of soil to support a foundation.
They will also do earthwork assessments, generally, this is performed on a periodic basis to assess the risk involved, earthworks are any slope cutting or embankment greater than 1 meter are considered here. After selecting they will assess the condition whether it is fine or needs some repair.
They investigate subsurface soil conditions, design canals, tunnels, open pit walls, dams, etc.
As a geotechnical engineer, you should first have site experience, know about soil properties then only designing will be easy and perfect.
Some of the major works involved in the career of a geotechnical engineer are -
Ground investigations, geological investigations, and improving the ground conditions
Investigation of subsurface conditions
Designing of tunnels, canals, dams, sanitary landfills
Tunnelling works
Let us discuss more on this career. Before proceeding further watch the interesting and inspiring journey of Vardhan.
Which IITs and NITs have a Geotechnical Specialization?
Getting a seat in IIT is a dream for many candidates around there. IITs and NITs have M.Tech. Geotechnical Engineering in various forms, such as foundation engineering, geo-environmental engineering, etc.
9 IITs, namely IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Dhanbad, IIT Palakkad, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Bhubaneswar have this Geotechnical Engineering specialization.
18 NITs out of 31 NITs in India have M.Tech. Geotechnical Engineering program. These 18 NITs are NIT Jalandhar, NIT Bhopal, NIT Allahabad, NIT Agartala, NIT Calicut, NIT Durgapur, NIT Hamirpur, NIT Surathkal, NIT Patna, NIT Jamshedpur, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Rourkela, NIT Silchar, NIT Srinagar, NIT Tiruchirappalli, NIT Warangal, NIT Nagpur and NIT Andhra Pradesh.
Scope of Geotechnology in Metros
Metro works can be either elevated and underground. Under elevated works, Geotechnical works include Ground investigation and deciding the strata and pile capacity.
Now coming to underground works, stations are present so it requires deeper excavation. Here retaining walls like sheet pile, king post, or diaphragm wall is used. This analysis can be done using software likes Plaxis and Walla.
Tunnelling is another subject that includes rock mechanics. Because of vibration caused by the tunnelling, a surrounding damage assessment has to be done.
So in short these are the major scope under metros:-
Ground Investigation and supervision
Geotechnical Designs
Damage assessment
Some of the MNCs where you can make a career in the geotechnical field
BPC Consultants
Atkins
Hydraulic and Engineering Instruments (HEICO)
Cengrs
Spar Geo Infra
Keller India
Fugro
RSK Group
AECOM
Skillsets
Geotechnical Analysis: This includes Geological mapping, analyzing the physical condition of the soil, surface exploration, etc.
Soft skills: This includes software like Plaxis, Walla which are used for 2D designing and excavation, Slide software from rocscience for designing slopes
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