TOPIC 5

Geotechnical Engineering & Water Resources Engineering

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Subtopics
1 History
2 Soil mechanics
 Soil properties
3 Geotechnical investigation
4 Structures
 Foundations
 Shallow
 Footings
 Slab
 Deep
 Lateral earth support structures
 Gravity walls
 Cantilever walls
 Excavation shoring
 Earthworks
 Ground improvement
 Slope stabilization
 Slope stability analysis
 Geosynthetics

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 1

 Geotechnical engineering, also known as geotechnics, is the branch of civil

engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of earth materials. It uses the principles and

methods of soil mechanics and rock mechanics for the solution of engineering problems and the

design of engineering works. It also relies on knowledge of geology, hydrology, geophysics, and

other related sciences.

Geotechnical engineering is important in civil engineering, but also has applications

in military, mining, petroleum, coastal, ocean, and other engineering disciplines that are concerned with

construction occurring on the surface or within the ground, both onshore and offshore. The fields of

geotechnical engineering and engineering geology are closely related, and have large areas of

overlap. However, while geotechnical engineering is a specialty of civil engineering, engineering

geology is a specialty of geology: they share the same principles of soil mechanics and rock

mechanics, but may differ in terms of objects, scale of application, and approaches.

The tasks of a geotechnical engineer comprise the investigation of subsurface conditions and

materials; the determination of the relevant physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of these

materials; the design of earthworks and retaining structures (including dams, embankments, sanitary

landfills, deposits of hazardous waste), tunnels, and structure foundations; the monitoring of site

conditions, earthwork, and foundation construction; the evaluation of the stability of natural slopes and

man-made soil deposits; the assessment of the risks posed by site conditions; and the prediction,

prevention, and mitigation of damage caused by natural hazards (such as avalanches, mud

flows, landslides, rockslides, sinkholes, and volcanic eruptions).

HISTORY

Humans have historically used soil as a material for flood control, irrigation purposes, burial

sites, building foundations, and as construction material for buildings. First activities were linked to

irrigation and flood control, as demonstrated by traces of dykes, dams, and canals dating back to at

least 2000 BCE that were found in ancient Egypt, ancient Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent, as

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 2

well as around the early settlements of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa in the Indus valley. As the cities

expanded, structures were erected supported by formalized foundations; Ancient Greeks notably

constructed pad footings and strip-and-raft foundations. Until the 18th century, however, no theoretical

basis for soil design had been developed and the discipline was more of an art than a science, relying

on past experience.

Several foundation-related engineering problems, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa,

prompted scientists to begin taking a more scientific-based approach to examining the subsurface. The

earliest advances occurred in the development of earth pressure theories for the construction

of retaining walls. Henri Gautier, a French Royal Engineer, recognized the "natural slope" of different

soils in 1717, an idea later known as the soil's angle of repose. A rudimentary soil classification system

was also developed based on a material's unit weight, which is no longer considered a good indication

of soil type.

The application of the principles of mechanics to soils was

Leaning Tower of Pisa
documented as early as 1773 when Charles Coulomb (a physicist,

engineer, and army Captain) developed improved methods to determine

the earth pressures against military ramparts. Coulomb observed that, at failure, a distinct slip plane

would form behind a sliding retaining wall and he suggested that the

maximum shear stress on the slip plane.

Charles Coulomb

In the 19th century Henry Darcy developed what is now known

as Darcy's Law describing the flow of fluids in porous media. Joseph

Boussinesq (a mathematician and physicist) developed theories of stress

distribution in elastic solids that proved useful for estimating stresses at

depth in the ground; William Rankine, an engineer and physicist, developed

an alternative to Coulomb's earth pressure theory. Albert Atterberg developed the clay

consistency indices that are still used today for soil classification. Osborne Reynolds recognized in

1885 that shearing causes volumetric dilation of dense and contraction of loose granular materials.

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 3

 (From Left to Right: Henry Darcy, Joseph Boussinesq, William Rankine, Albert Atterberg & Osborne

Reynolds)

Modern geotechnical engineering is said to have begun in 1925 with

the publication of Erdbaumechanik by Karl Terzaghi (a mechanical engineer

and geologist). Considered by many to be the father of modern soil

mechanics and geotechnical engineering, Terzaghi developed the principle

of effective stress, and demonstrated that the shear strength of soil is

controlled by effective stress. Terzaghi also developed the framework for

theories of bearing capacity of foundations, and the theory for prediction of

the rate of settlement of clay layers due to consolidation. In his 1948 book, Donald Taylor recognized

that interlocking and dilation of densely packed particles contributed to the peak strength of a soil. The

interrelationships between volume change behavior (dilation, contraction, and consolidation) and

shearing behavior were all connected via the theory of plasticity using critical state soil mechanics by

Roscoe, Schofield, and Wroth with the publication of "On the Yielding of Soils" in 1958.  Critical state

soil mechanics is the basis for many contemporary advanced constitutive models describing the

behavior of soil.

Geotechnical centrifuge modeling is a method of testing physical scale models of geotechnical

problems. The use of a centrifuge enhances the similarity of the scale model tests involving soil

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 4

because the strength and stiffness of soil is very sensitive to the confining pressure. The centrifugal

acceleration allows a researcher to obtain large (prototype-scale) stresses in small physical models.

SOIL MECHANICS

In geotechnical engineering, soils are considered a three-phase material composed of: rock

or mineral particles, water and air. The voids of a soil, the spaces in between mineral particles, contain

the water and air.

The engineering properties of soils are affected by four main factors: the predominant size of

the mineral particles, the type of mineral particles, the grain size distribution, and the relative quantities

of mineral, water and air present in the soil matrix. Fine particles (fines) are defined as particles less

than 0.075 mm in diameter.

A phase diagram of soil indicating the weights and volumes of air, soil, water, and voids.

SOIL PROPERTIES

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 5

 Some of the important properties of soils that are used by geotechnical engineers to analyze

site conditions and design earthworks, retaining structures, and foundations are:

Specific weight or Unit Weight

 Cumulative weight of the solid particles, water and air of the unit volume of soil. Note that the
air phase is often assumed to be weightless.

Porosity
 Ratio of the volume of voids (containing air, water, or other fluids) in a soil to the total volume
of the soil. Porosity is mathematically related to void ratio the by
e
n=
1+ e
, where e is void ratio and n is porosity

Void ratio
 The ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of solid particles in a soil mass. Void ratio is
mathematically related to the porosity by
n
e=
1−n
Permeability
 A measure of the ability of water to flow through the soil. It is expressed in units of darcies
(d). Permeability of 1 d allows the flow of 1 cm3 per second of fluid with 1 cP (centipoise)
viscosity through a cross-sectional area of 1 cm2 when a pressure gradient of 1 atm/cm is
applied.

Compressibility
 The rate of change of volume with effective stress. If the pores are filled with water, then the
water must be squeezed out of the pores to allow volumetric compression of the soil; this
process is called consolidation.

Shear strength
 The maximum shear stress that can be applied in a soil mass without causing shear failure.

Atterberg Limits
 Liquid limit, Plastic limit, and Shrinkage limit. These indices are used for estimation of other
engineering properties and for soil classification.

GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
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 Geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists perform geotechnical investigations to

obtain information on the physical properties of soil and rock underlying (and sometimes adjacent to) a

site to design earthworks and foundations for proposed structures, and for the repair of distress to

earthworks and structures caused by subsurface conditions. A geotechnical investigation will include

surface exploration and subsurface exploration of a site. Sometimes, geophysical methods are used to

obtain data about sites. Subsurface exploration usually involves in-situ testing (two common examples

of in-situ tests are the standard penetration test and cone penetration test). In addition site

investigation will often include subsurface sampling and laboratory testing of the soil samples retrieved.

The digging of test pits and trenching (particularly for locating faults and slide planes) may also be

used to learn about soil conditions at depth. Large diameter borings are rarely used due to safety

concerns and expense but are sometimes used to allow a geologist or engineer to be lowered into the

borehole for direct visual and manual examination of the soil and rock stratigraphy.

A variety of soil samplers exists to meet the needs of different engineering projects.

The standard penetration test (SPT), which uses a thick-walled split spoon sampler, is the most

common way to collect disturbed samples. Piston samplers, employing a thin-walled tube, are most

commonly used for the collection of less disturbed samples. More advanced methods, such as the

Sherbrooke block sampler, are superior, but even more expensive. Coring frozen ground provides

high-quality undisturbed samples from any ground conditions, such as fill, sand, moraine and rock

fracture zones.

Atterberg limits tests, water content measurements, and grain size analysis, for example, may

be performed on disturbed samples obtained from thick-walled soil samplers. Properties such as shear

strength, stiffness hydraulic conductivity, and coefficient of consolidation may be significantly altered by

sample disturbance. To measure these properties in the laboratory, high-quality sampling is required.

Common tests to measure the strength and stiffness include the triaxial shear and unconfined

compression test.

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 Surface exploration can include geologic mapping, geophysical methods, and photogrammetry;

or it can be as simple as an engineer walking around to observe the physical conditions at the site.

Geologic mapping and interpretation of geomorphology are typically completed in consultation with

a geologist or engineering geologist.

Geophysical exploration is also sometimes used. Geophysical techniques used for subsurface

exploration include measurement of seismic waves (pressure, shear, and Rayleigh waves), surface-

wave methods and/or downhole methods, and electromagnetic surveys (magnetometer, resistivity,

and ground-penetrating radar).

STRUCTURES

1. FOUNDATIONS

A building's foundation transmits loads from buildings and other structures to the earth.

Geotechnical engineers design foundations based on the load characteristics of the structure and the

properties of the soils and/or bedrock at the site. In general, geotechnical engineers:

1. Estimate the magnitude and location of the loads to be supported.

2. Develop an investigation plan to explore the subsurface.

3. Determine necessary soil parameters through field and lab testing (e.g., consolidation

test, triaxial shear test, vane shear test, standard penetration test).

4. Design the foundation in the safest and most economical manner.

The primary considerations for foundation support are bearing capacity, settlement, and ground

movement beneath the foundations. Bearing capacity is the ability of the site soils to support the loads

imposed by buildings or structures. Settlement occurs under all foundations in all soil conditions,

though lightly loaded structures or rock sites may experience negligible settlements. For heavier

structures or softer sites, both overall settlement relative to unbuilt areas or neighboring buildings, and

differential settlement under a single structure can be concerns. Of particular concern is a settlement
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which occurs over time, as immediate settlement can usually be compensated for during construction.

Ground movement beneath a structure's foundations can occur due to shrinkage or swell of expansive

soils due to climatic changes, frost expansion of soil, melting of permafrost, slope instability, or other

causes. All these factors must be considered during the design of foundations.

Many building codes specify basic foundation design parameters for simple conditions, frequently

varying by jurisdiction, but such design techniques are normally limited to certain types of construction

and certain types of sites and are frequently very conservative.

In areas of shallow bedrock, most foundations may bear directly on bedrock; in other areas, the

soil may provide sufficient strength for the support of structures. In areas of deeper bedrock with soft

overlying soils, deep foundations are used to support structures directly on the bedrock; in areas where

bedrock is not economically available, stiff "bearing layers" are used to support deep foundations

instead.

A. SHALLOW

Shallow foundations are a type of foundation that transfers the building load to the very near the

surface, rather than to a subsurface layer. Shallow foundations typically have a depth to width ratio of

less than 1.

Footings
Footings (often called "spread footings" because they spread the load) are structural elements

which transfer structure loads to the ground by direct areal contact. Footings can be isolated footings

for point or column loads or strip footings for wall or another long (line) loads. Footings are normally

constructed from reinforced concrete cast directly onto the soil and are typically embedded into the

ground to penetrate through the zone of frost movement and/or to obtain additional bearing capacity.

Slab

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 A variant on spread footings is to have the entire structure bear on a single slab of concrete

underlying the entire area of the structure. Slabs must be thick enough to provide sufficient rigidity to

spread the bearing loads somewhat uniformly and to minimize differential settlement across the

foundation. In some cases, flexure is allowed and the building is constructed to tolerate small

movements of the foundation instead. For small structures, like single-family houses, the slab may be

less than 300  mm thick; for larger structures, the foundation slab may be several meters thick.

Slab foundations can be either slab-on-grade foundations or embedded foundations, typically

in buildings with basements. Slab-on-grade foundations must be designed to allow for potential ground

movement due to changing soil conditions.

Example of a slab-on-grade foundation.

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 10

 B. DEEP

Deep foundations are used for structures or heavy loads

when shallow foundations cannot provide adequate capacity, due to

size and structural limitations. They may also be used to transfer

building loads past weak or compressible soil layers. While shallow

foundations rely solely on the bearing capacity of the soil beneath

them, deep foundations can rely on end bearing resistance,

frictional resistance along their length, or both in developing the

required capacity. Geotechnical engineers use specialized tools,

such as the cone penetration test, to estimate the amount of skin

and end bearing resistance available in the subsurface.

There are many types of deep foundations including piles, drilled shafts, caissons, piers, and

earth stabilized columns. Large buildings such as skyscrapers typically require deep foundations. For

example, the Jin Mao Tower in China uses tubular steel piles about 1m (3.3  feet) driven to a depth of

83.5m (274  feet) to support its weight.

In buildings that are constructed and found to undergo settlement, underpinning piles can be

used to stabilize the existing building.

There are three ways to place piles for a deep foundation. They can be driven, drilled, or

installed by the use of an auger. Driven piles are extended to their necessary depths with the

application of external energy in the same way a nail is hammered. There are four typical hammers

used to drive such piles: drop hammers, diesel hammers, hydraulic hammers, and air hammers. Drop

hammers simply drop a heavy weight onto the pile to drive it, while diesel hammers use a single-

cylinder diesel engine to force piles through the Earth. Similarly, hydraulic and air hammers supply

energy to piles through hydraulic and air forces. The energy imparted from a hammerhead varies with

the type of hammer chosen and can be as high as a million-foot pounds for large scale diesel

hammers, a very common hammerhead used in practice. Piles are made of a variety of material

including steel, timber, and concrete. Drilled piles are created by first drilling a hole to the appropriate

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depth, and filling it with concrete. Drilled piles can typically carry more load than driven piles, simply

due to a larger diameter pile. The auger method of pile installation is similar to drilled pile installation,

but concrete is pumped into the hole as the auger is being removed.

2. Lateral Earth Support Structures

A retaining wall is a structure that holds back earth. Retaining walls stabilize soil and rock from

downslope movement or erosion and provide support for vertical or near-vertical grade changes.

Cofferdams and bulkheads, structures to hold back water, are sometimes also considered retaining

walls.

The primary geotechnical concern in design and installation of retaining walls is that the weight

of the retained material is creates lateral earth pressure behind the wall, which can cause the wall to

deform or fail. The lateral earth pressure depends on the height of the wall, the density of the soil, the

strength of the soil, and the amount of allowable movement of the wall. This pressure is smallest at the

top and increases toward the bottom in a manner similar to hydraulic pressure, and tends to push the

wall away from the backfill. Groundwater behind the wall that is not dissipated by a drainage system

causes an additional horizontal hydraulic pressure on the wall.

a. Gravity walls
Gravity walls depend on the size and weight of the wall mass to resist pressures from behind.

Gravity walls will often have a slight setback, or batter, to improve wall stability. For short, landscaping

walls, gravity walls made from dry-stacked (mortarless) stone or segmental concrete units (masonry

units) are commonly used.

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 Earlier in the 20th century, taller retaining walls were often gravity walls made from large

masses of concrete or stone. Today, taller retaining walls are increasingly built as composite gravity

walls such as geosynthetic or steel-reinforced backfill soil with precast facing; gabions (stacked steel

wire baskets filled with rocks), crib walls (cells built up log cabin style from precast concrete or timber

and filled with soil or free-draining gravel) or soil-nailed walls (soil reinforced in place with steel and

concrete rods).

For reinforced-soil gravity walls, the soil reinforcement is placed in horizontal layers throughout

the height of the wall. Commonly, the soil reinforcement is geogrid, a high-strength polymer mesh, that

provides tensile strength to hold the soil together. The wall face is often of precast, segmental concrete

units that can tolerate some differential movement. The reinforced soil's mass, along with the facing,

becomes the gravity wall. The reinforced mass must be built large enough to retain the pressures from

the soil behind it. Gravity walls usually must be a minimum of 30 to 40 percent as deep (thick) as the

height of the wall and may have to be larger if there is a slope or surcharge on the wall.

b. Cantilever walls
Prior to the introduction of modern reinforced-soil gravity walls, cantilevered walls were the

most common type of taller retaining wall. Cantilevered walls are made from a relatively thin stem of

steel-reinforced, cast-in-place concrete or mortared masonry (often in the shape of an inverted T).

These walls cantilever loads (like a beam) to a large, structural footing; converting horizontal pressures

from behind the wall to vertical pressures on the ground below. Sometimes cantilevered walls are

buttressed on the front, or include a counterfort on the back, to improve their stability against high

loads. Buttresses are short wing walls at right angles to the main trend of the wall. These walls require

rigid concrete footings below seasonal frost depth. This type of wall uses much less material than a

traditional gravity wall.

Cantilever walls resist lateral pressures by friction at the base of the wall and/or passive earth

pressure, the tendency of the soil to resist lateral movement.

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 Basements are a form of cantilever walls, but the forces on the basement walls are greater

than on conventional walls because the basement wall is not free to move.

c. Excavation shoring
Shoring of temporary excavations frequently requires a wall design that does not extend

laterally beyond the wall, so shoring extends below the planned base of the excavation. Common

methods of shoring are the use of sheet piles or soldier beams and lagging. Sheet piles are a form of

driven piling using thin interlocking sheets of steel to obtain a continuous barrier in the ground and are

driven prior to excavation. Soldier beams are constructed of wide flange steel H sections spaced about

2–3 m apart, driven prior to excavation. As the excavation proceeds, horizontal timber or steel sheeting

(lagging) is inserted behind the H pile flanges.

The use of underground space requires excavation, which may cause large and dangerous

displacement of soil mass around the excavation. Since the space for slope excavation is limited in

urban areas, cutting is done vertically. Retaining walls are made to prevent unsafe soil displacements

around excavations. Diaphragm walls are a type of retaining walls that are very stiff and generally

watertight. The horizontal movements of diaphragm walls are usually prevented by lateral supports.

Diaphragm walls are expensive walls, but they save time and space and are also safe, so are widely

used in urban deep excavations.

In some cases, the lateral support which can be provided by the shoring wall alone is

insufficient to resist the planned lateral loads; in this case, additional support is provided by walers or

tie-backs. Walers are structural elements that connect across the excavation so that the loads from the

soil on either side of the excavation are used to resist each other, or which transfer horizontal loads

from the shoring wall to the base of the excavation. Tie-backs are steel tendons drilled into the face of

the wall which extends beyond the soil which is applying pressure to the wall, to provide additional

lateral resistance to the wall.

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3. Earthworks

 Excavation is the process of training earth according to requirement by removing the soil from

the site.

 Filling is the process of training earth according to requirement by placing the soil on the site.

 Compaction is the process by which the density of soil is increased and permeability of soil is

decreased. Fill placement work often has specifications requiring a specific degree of compaction,

or alternatively, specific properties of the compacted soil. In-situ soils can be compacted by rolling,

deep dynamic compaction, vibration, blasting, gyrating, kneading, compaction grouting etc.

a. Ground improvement

A compactor/roller operated by U.S. Navy Seabees

Ground Improvement is a technique that improves the engineering properties of the treated soil

mass. Usually, the properties modified are shear strength, stiffness, and permeability. Ground

improvement has developed into a sophisticated tool to support foundations for a wide variety of

structures. Properly applied, i.e. after giving due consideration to the nature of the ground being

improved and the type and sensitivity of the structures being built, ground improvement often reduces

direct costs and saves time

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b. Slope stabilization

Simple slope slip section.

Slope stability is the potential of soil covered slopes to withstand and undergo movement.

Stability is determined by the balance of shear stress and shear strength. A previously stable slope

may be initially affected by preparatory factors, making the slope conditionally unstable. Triggering

factors of a slope failure can be climatic events that can then make a slope actively unstable, leading to

mass movements. Mass movements can be caused by increases in shear stress, such as loading,

lateral pressure, and transient forces. Alternatively, shear strength may be decreased by weathering,

changes in pore water pressure, and organic material.

Several modes of failure for earth slopes include falls, topples, slides, and flows. In slopes with

coarse-grained soil or rocks, falls typically occur as the rapid descent of rocks and other loose slope

material. A slope topples when a large column of soil tilts over its vertical axis at failure. Typical slope

stability analysis considers sliding failures, categorized mainly as rotational slides or translational

slides. As implied by the name, rotational slides fail along a generally curved surface, while

translational slides fail along a more planar surface. A slope failing as flow would resemble a fluid

flowing downhill.

4. Geosynthetics

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 A collage of geosynthetic products.

Geosynthetics are a type of plastic polymer products used in geotechnical engineering that

improve engineering performance while reducing costs. This

includes geotextiles, geogrids, geomembranes, geocells, and geocomposites. The synthetic nature of

the products makes them suitable for use in the ground where high levels of durability are required;

their main functions include drainage, filtration, reinforcement, separation, and

containment. Geosynthetics are available in a wide range of forms and materials, each to suit a slightly

different end-use, although they are frequently used together. These products have a wide range of

applications and are currently used in many civil and geotechnical engineering applications including

roads, airfields, railroads, embankments, piled embankments, retaining structures, reservoirs, canals,

dams, landfills, bank protection and coastal engineering.

WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING

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 Water resources engineering is the study and management of equipment, facilities and

techniques that are used to manage and preserve life’s most plentiful resource. In addition to

assessing how and the best ways in which to control water as it pertains to water-related activities

– such as irrigation, waste disposal and canal development – water resource engineers are also

frequently involved in water management to ensure that it’s safe to drink both for humans, plants

and animal usage. As previously referenced, surface water makes up about 71% of the planet,

which is the equivalent of roughly 326 million cubic miles. At the same time, though, just 3% of the

Earth’s water is fresh, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. And of this total, 2.5% of it is out of

reach, contained in the soil, polar ice caps, the atmosphere and glaciers or too polluted to use

safely.

Water resource engineers may be tasked with the awesome responsibility of ensuring that

the planning and management of available water supply are adequately leveraged and remain

safe to use for as long as possible. They may also be involved in water treatment so that the

quality of water is improved upon for various end uses, whether that’s recreationally, commercially

or industrially.

Why is water resources engineering important?

Resources, by their very nature, are finite. There are only a small handful that are naturally

renewable – such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass. While water may be renewable in terms of

the many different ways it can be used and reused, it’s not as abundant as it once was, which

many earth scientists and climatologists point to as a function of climate change.

The Bureau of Reclamation provides some perspective as to just how limited this resource

is in terms of usability, despite its vastness. If the world’s water supply were roughly 26 gallons,

the amount of freshwater available for safe usage would be the equivalent to 0.003 liters. That’s

equal to roughly a half-teaspoon.

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 Water resource engineers may be charged with developing new systems or processes for

private or government entities that can preserve freshwater sources and find new ones. This may

require the assistance of civil engineers involved as well, designing water purification methods

through desalination or creating new equipment for contaminant transport when water is used for

irrigation purposes. Understanding what works and what doesn’t when it comes to water resource

management is often a combined effort and may involve a number of different analyses, including

hydrologic, which is the study of the water cycle and directions in which it flows, which may be

influenced by weather and other environmental forces.

What are Water Resources?

Water resources are origin of water that are essentially required by humans, and water is

basically used for agriculture, industry, domestic purposes, and environmental events.

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 Water on the earth is mostly salt water with only 3% as fresh water. The majority of the fresh

water is frozen in glaciers and the polar ice caps, and the remainder is found as ground water, with

only a fraction available above the ground. Although fresh water is considered to be available as a

renewable resource, the supply of pure fresh water is gradually decreasing in the world. The rate of

increase in world population exceeds the rate at which the water supply is increasing so that there is

an acute shortage of water in many parts of the world. During the twentieth century, more than half of

all global wetlands were lost.

What is Water Resource Engineer?

Water Resource Engineers develop new equipment and systems for water resource

management facilities across the United States. The systems that Water Resource Engineers

create ensure that citizens are provided with a continuous supply of clean, uncontaminated water

for drinking, living, and recreational purposes. Water Resource Engineers not only design these

water management systems, but often oversee the construction and maintenance of these

systems as well. An increasing population and continuous need for more water stimulates this

fast-growing industry. A Bachelor's degree and official certification are required to pursue this

career, though many Water Resource Engineers also go on to pursue their Masters Degrees.

What does a Water Resource Engineer do?

Water Resource Engineering is a specific kind of civil engineering that involves the design

of new systems and equipment that help manage human water resources. Some of the areas of

Water Resource Engineers touch on are water treatment facilities, underground wells, and natural

springs.

Water Resource Engineers must create new equipment and systems to increase the

effectiveness and efficiency of water treatment and aquatic resource management. A typical

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workday involves the analysis of data from relevant areas, then designing new or improved

facilities to enhance the cleansing effects of the water treatment system. A Water Resource

Engineer must take budgetary constraints, government regulations, and other factors into

consideration when designing these systems. A Water Resource Engineer may then oversee the

construction and implementation of these systems to ensure that they are properly assembled.

After completion, they may manage the maintenance of these systems.

Where does a Water Resource Engineer work?

Water Resource Engineers spend most of their time in an office looking over data and

designing new water resource management systems. However, part of the work day may be spent

at construction sites, allowing the Engineer to oversee the construction of their designs. They may

also find themselves in more industrial environments when supervising maintenance on advanced

equipment. Some Water Resource Engineers choose to travel abroad to participate in large

engineering projects.

Most Water Resource Engineers work full-time, with many putting in more than 40 hours a

week. This extra time allows them to properly oversee projects and assure that everything is

running smoothly.

Major Functions of Water Resources Engineering

Water resources engineering generally deals with the provision of water for human use, and

the development of techniques for the prevention of destruction from floods. Water resources

engineering also includes the planning and management of facilities that are constructed for these

tasks like making canals for irrigation and sewers for drainage and to avoid waterlogging, and all other

issues related with the usage and control of water.

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 21

 To meet the water requirements of society and the environment, initially an estimate is carried

out regarding the water available, the demand now and projected demand when the work will complete

and future considerations, and then the requisite infrastructure is designed, including the water

treatment plants and the pipes network, for the conveyance of water to the taps and waste water from

the toilets to the treatment units.

Career Options

Students who specialize in water resources engineering prepare for a number of

engineering related jobs that require knowledge of hydrology, fluid mechanics or water transport.

Opportunities could be found in agriculture, manufacturing, government and business.

A bachelor's degree might lead to a job as a government official or an engineer. Graduate

education could qualify individuals for more advanced opportunities in government, industry or

academia. Experts in water resources engineering might also work as city planners. Engineers

who work directly with the public must be licensed.

 Engineering Technician

 Civil Engineer

 Hydrology Engineer

 Drainage Engineer

 City Planner

Other Tasks of Water Resources Engineering

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 22

Water resources engineering also deals with:

 Sewer systems for storms and wastewater.

 Irrigation network.
 River engineering, including ice covered rivers.
 Hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, floodways and reservoirs.
 Seepage control.
 Hydrology.
 Floods, flow of mud and debris.
 Wave analysis.

“Your dreams don’t have to be lofty;

they just have to be lived.”
CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 23
 – Kelly Bouchard

REFERENCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geotechnical_engineering

https://engineeringonline.ucr.edu/blog/what-is-water-resources-engineering/

https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hydraulics-civil-engineering/42737-basics-of-water-
resources-engineering/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/water-resource-engineer

https://study.com/directory/category/Engineering/Civil_Engineering/Water_Resources_Engineerin
g.html

CE 101 – CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 24