r/Geotech

All other factors being equal, I'm curious what number you all set as the target threshold for global stability of a retaining wall when using SLIDE or GeoStudio or whatever. I have a number but I don't want to bias the conversation. I know about FERC values for embankment dams which I consider to be gospel for those purposes, but when it comes to the 15ft tall MSE wall at your local multi-family housing project, what number are you designing for, or hoping to see when evaluating the proposed conditions? Thanks. Again this is static analysis for typical conditions, short-term and long-term analysis as appropriate.

Can a geotechnical driller in the US make over six figures a year ? Say like bigger firms or even smaller

Thoughts on retrieval? Thanks

Getting into mining/tunnel engineering from civil I’m a UK-based Graduate Civil/Structural Engineer in my second year into a role. I work on a huge infrastructure project based in the South-West and have a had a chance to work with backfill and underground structures while on site. My role is mostly design, design management, coordination and quality management (making sure what’s built is accordance with the engineering design and assessing any changes/deviations).

I’ve gained an interest in earthworks/tunnelling/mining as a result. I wanted to pivot into mining and tunnelling, but given the super niche nature of mining, there are very few UK roles (and almost no entry level vacancies). I think what is letting me down is my lack of mining engineering degrees/background. I’ve even applied to a couple of FIFO Australia role and no luck.

Any tips, do I go back to university a get a master’s in mining engineering/Geotechnical Engineering or am I locked out? Thanks.

Suggest how to calculate passive resistance for HP14x117 pile embedded 11'-5" into the soil

https://preview.redd.it/9iunh6vfa0kh1.png?width=1448&format=png&auto=webp&s=5e38c2d49f748449b6beac2c7c900f994449213b

https://preview.redd.it/wj9265vfa0kh1.jpg?width=1448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1fce82443a4a72064a2a82f16649302f053e0889

We recently got a geokon slope inclinometer probe. The wells we are surveying are too low for our pully system to fit properly. Have any of you guys made risers for inclinometer casing? Im looking for some guidance. Casing is 70mm

Hi Guys

I am doing some research on the current workflow of geotechnical engineer when designing piles.

specifically on how designers go from a geological model to the designed pile dimensions.

so i made a list of 7 surveys instead of 1 long questionair to allow you to participate at your own pace. the surveys are mostly multiple choice questions and should be 10 min each (~20-30 Questions)

your participation is of great value

Hi all,

I’ve had this query ever since I compared the test results from two different geotechnical testing agencies.

Vendor 1 performs grain size distribution and, for example, gets Sand = 20%, Silt = 75%, Clay = 5%. They then classify the soil as non-plastic, without reporting the Atterberg limits, and proceed with a Direct Shear Test (DST), reporting both cohesion (c)- minor and friction angle (φ)-major.

My fundamental question is: how is the testing agency deciding whether a DST is appropriate in the first place?

Also, for a soil with such a high silt fraction, would it be more appropriate to establish its plasticity through Atterberg limits and then decide on the appropriate shear strength test?

I’m also trying to understand the distinction between the results from DST and triaxial tests (e.g., UU). A UU triaxial test can give an undrained cohesion/su with essentially φu ≈ 0°, whereas DST may report both c and φ. So, what exactly is the basis for choosing DST vs. triaxial (UU/CU/CD) for such soils, and how should we interpret the c–φ values reported by DST for a predominantly silty, non-plastic soil?

I know a pretty fundamental question, Would really appreciate some clarity here !!

Thank you !

Hi everyone,

I wondered if I could ask for your help. I am a private investor researching Keller Group and I'm interested to hear how they're viewed by people who currently work or have worked in geotechnical engineering..

If you've ever worked for Keller, currently work for them, have hired them, if you've worked alongside them or competed against them, I'd love to hear about it and would really value your experience and help.

What does Keller do particularly well, what does it do badly, and what makes you choose Keller (or a competitor) for a job?

Happy to hear positive experiences, negative ones or anything else that might be useful in understanding the business. I'm trying to get to grips with the business rather than get investment advice.

Probably a very basic question, but I've been out of school for 30yrs.

Why does vertical stress from surcharge loads spread laterally with depth (e.g. 2:1 estimates) while they are treated as uniform with depth for lateral earth pressure?

Hi all,

If I have a pile with a given working load (determined by static analysis, not a load test) and need to model its vertical spring stiffness, what allowable vertical displacement should I consider?

For lateral springs, I am taking the safe lateral capacity and use a 5 mm lateral deflection limit to determine the horizontal stiffness coefficient. But I’m a bit confused about what approach/value should be used for the vertical spring.

I’m closing in on 20 years in geotechnical engineering in the US. My career has been with consultants and I’m very tired of it. In my 20ish years, I’ve worked for more than one company but the pattern seems to be the same. Everyone is overloaded with projects and responsibilities. I’ve been given higher expectations with decreasing support and expected to produce more than the year before to sustain continued growth. I’ve gotten to a point where my mental health has suffered and I need to leave consulting behind. I’ve been stuck in middle management for the last 8-10 years with no potential for doing anything else for another 5-10 years. And it’s not like the principal engineer(s) have it any better. They are overloaded, stressed, and generally unhappy.

I’m disappointed with the job postings and recruiters that contact me. It’s always for a low level position in a far away city with no option of remote work for a 40% pay cut. “Senior” positions are for those with 6-8 YOE that again want to pay me bottom salaries and get offended when I mention a reasonable salary. I recently interviewed for a remote subject matter expert position with a company and was told “you don’t have x niche experience that was not mentioned in the job posting or interview so we’re hiring someone else.” So the few roles beyond consulting seem to be next to impossible to land due to competition.

Other options are contractors or government but contracting seems to be a frying pan to fire situation and government seems to be a massive pay cut and very location specific.

It’s just difficult because I wish there was a better option besides the endless grind of consulting but for now it seems it’s where I’ll be for a long time to come.

Hello everyone!

I've been working in the geotech/cmt world now for about 5 years. I started off at ECS, then a local firm, and now I'm at Terracon. I came in as an Engineering tech 4, currently lab coordinator here at Terracon. I've worked as an inspector, geo field tech, lab tech, and lab supervisor/manager in the past. I've also done asbestos abatement oversight for Terracon when I was moonlighting as an environmental guy lol.

I like Terracon, but I always hear it's a bit crap compared to other companies. What sorts of opportunities are out there and how do you guys go about finding them? What certifications actually matter in the long run for the best opportunities? I don't have a degree in geo or engineering for the record, and I feel this may be holding me back..

Would love to hear from everyone, especially the non engineering people. Thanks!

Edit: Also wanted to see if you all know of any other paths this could lead me besides CMT/geotech consulting.

So far I’ve applied to some indeed companies, including cascade(. Hope they call me back). Where can I apply to similar jobs/companies to cascade. Looking to start a career in geotechnical/enviromental entry level, I do have a CDL.

Do I have a chance?

Edit: Free in a sense of traveling and freedom to work remotely from anywhere I'm the world