Introducing engineering geology as a career option at undergraduate level EurGeol James S Griffiths...
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Transcript of Introducing engineering geology as a career option at undergraduate level EurGeol James S Griffiths...
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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Real geologistsEngineering Geologists
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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)
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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
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A very different literature
Site work not field work
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Mistakes can cost lives
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.”
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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
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