When a new construction project is proposed and the initial planning begins, many factors must be considered before a single worker starts digging into the ground. Plans must be drawn up, architectural designs considered, schedules and budgets organized and geotechnical engineering must be done. But what is geotechnical engineering? Here is a very basic explanation.
Geotechnical engineering is the study of the engineering properties of earth materials. Engineers take samples of the ground underneath the proposed construction site to see what kinds of soil, rock, fault distribution, and bedrock properties are underneath. They study the slope of the land. They determine the risk to humans if there is a chance of earthquake, landslide, sinkholes and other natural disasters.
Think of this as the study of the structural engineering of the ground, instead of the structure itself. They have to consider questions such as this: How much weight can the ground support. If the land is soft and not compacted, what could possibly happen if you build a house on top of it?
In the Lower Mainland, a geotechnical engineer must study the slope and gradient of the land they’re going to build on. One look at all of the new homes being built on the sides of the hills and mountains around Vancouver and it is obvious that any home builder must be concerned with how the sloped land will be affected and how well they will be able to cut into the side of the mountain. Earthquake preparedness is also a very large consideration as well. A geotechnical engineer must consider what will happen to the structure if Vancouver gets an earthquake.
When you high a top custom home builder, such as Clay Construction, you know you’re getting one of the top geotechnical engineers as well. We don’t start construction on anything until we’ll absolutely sure of the land underneath. Come and talk to us, check out our many years of experience, and we can build you the home of your dreams.
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