Introducing engineering geology as a career option at undergraduate level

EurGeol James S GriffithsBSc PhD CEng CGeol EurGeol FHEA

School of Geography, Earth & Environmental SciencesUniversity of Plymouth

Engineering GeologyThe application of the science of geology to the understanding of geological phenomena and the engineering solution of geological hazards and other geological problems for society

Granite batholithunconformity

Caledonian folding

Carboniferous swamps

Variscan folding

unconformityAncient seabed

Zone of interest to the engineering geologist, i.e. the natural landscape plus the effects of humans

3

Importance of Engineering Geology• Engineering geologists have a key role in the UK

construction industry which is worth just under 10% of the UK’s Gross Added Value

• In 2009 the top 35 UK Geotechnical companies generated a turnover of £1.12 billion.

• The UK geotechnical companies employ over 6000 engineering geologist and geotechnical engineers

• The Engineering Group is the largest specialist group of the Geological Society with some 40% of the Fellows

• Engineering geologists (along with hydrogeologists, geophysicists, geoscientists and engineering geomorphologists) remain on the Governments Skills Shortage Register compiled by the Migration Advisory Committee (Oct. 09)

Real geologistsEngineering Geologists

Plymouth module – running since 1993

• Has gone through a number of important changes over 17 yrs but basic philosophy is the same – an introduction to engineering geological techniques supported by case studies and laboratory practicals

• Part of the Applied Geology and Physical Geography & Geology BSc programmes (these are Geological Society Accredited)

• 20 credits in Stage 3 – brief introduction in Stage 2• Uses the training guide of the Engineering Group of the

Geological Society to establish the module content (http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/webdav/site/GSL/shared/pdfs/Fellowship/GS%20Training%20Guide%20for%20Engineering%20Geologists.pdf)

Topics covered• Engineering soil & rock description (Eurocode 7)• Desk studies • Remote sensing• Site investigation• Geographical information systems• Hazards and risk assessment • Introduction to hydrogeology• Soil and rock slope stability analysis• Earthworks and foundation design• Tunnelling• Aggregates• Waste disposal

A very different literature

Site work not field work

Mistakes can cost lives

Students perception

• Survey of the undergraduate students indicate less than 10% knew of career opportunities in engineering geology before taking the module – even fewer had been aware such careers existed before coming to university

• Student feedback is strongly supportive of my use of real case studies as examples

• Practicals are geared towards developing skills in techniques required to be a practicing engineering geologist

Engineering Geological Techniques that might have wider applicability• Eurocodes are standards used throughout Europe• Rock description – Eurocode chart only contains

some 30 rock types which covers 95 % of the rocks geologists will ever encounter; strong emphasis on site observation, simple diagnostics, and proforma data collection

• Engineering Soil description – again very pragmatic and based on simple field tests and observations

Weathered Rock – description after Eurocode 7

Grade Classifier Characteristics

VI Residual soil Soil derived by in situ weathering; no original texture or fabric left

V Completely weathered

Weakened to a soil; slakes in water; original texture apparent; no core stones

IV Highly weathered

Mainly a soil; few remaining core stones cannot be broken by hand;

III Moderately weathered

Considerably weakened; large core stones cannot be broken by hand; up to 50% soil; penetrative discoloration

II Slightly weathered

Slight weakening; slight discoloration

I Fresh Unchanged from original state

Student progression

• Advice is that to develop a career they will need a specialist masters degree

• Given the skills shortage a number of students each year go onto 1 year contracts to gain experience before taking a masters

• The opportunities are not just in the UK – this year I have had students take up posts in Australia and Hong Kong

Student feedback on the best aspects of the module 2009/10

• “The course was very interesting, material was always challenging and interesting”

• “The practical exercises in general were all challenging but very useful to apply what we know to real problems.”

• “The teaching of techniques that are used within the industry and also being taught about the industry itself.”

• “I really enjoyed learning about what life as an engineering geologist is like. As well as learning about the subject, I think it is important that we were taught about what to expect if we wanted to enter this field of work.”

Conclusion

• Undergraduate geology programmes should contain engineering geology module(s)

• Engineering geology is a realistic career option even at undergraduate level

• We need to expose students to engineering geology as a career option in Stage 1

• Some of the techniques taught in engineering geology have wide applicability

On site