The Founder of Modern Geotechnical Engineering
In simplest terms, geotechnical engineering is a branch of civil engineering concerned with the properties of soil and rock; and forecasting the behavior of these materials in relation to construction projects. Historically, humans relied on assumptions about soil conditions when building a structure. In these early times, “geotechnical engineering” was more of an art than a science. After several notorious engineering-related blunders (most notably the Leaning Tower of Pisa), builders began the shift to a more scientific approach; including detailed examination subsurface materials. It is significant to note that this scientific transition began only a few hundred years ago; a mere fraction of time considering humanity’s long construction history.
The origins of modern geotechnical engineering are widely believed to trace back to the work of the famous engineer and geologist, Karl von Terzaghi. During his world travels, Terzaghhi became particularly concerned at the lack of knowledge regarding earthworks and foundations; and by 1910, he had decided to dedicate the rest of his life to the advancement of soil mechanics. Terzaghi’s work on soil mechanics (published 1925) literally revolutionized the field of geotechnical engineering. He developed the principle of effective stress in soils, the framework for the bearing capacity of foundations theory, and the theory for predicting the rate of settlement due to consolidation of clayey soils. In 1925, he established the country’s first academic program in Soil Mechanics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); and by 1930, his work had led to the appointment of a Special Committee on Earthworks and Foundations by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In 1960 (just before his death), the leading figures in the world of geotechnical engineering collectively stated that “Few men in a lifetime have exerted an influence on their profession to compare with that of Karl Terzaghi on Civil Engineering and Engineering Geology.”
The work of Karl Terzaghi ushered the world into a new scientific revolution and directly led to the modern construction techniques we use today. The impact of his work on our society is truly profound, and can be seen in almost every aspect of our modern world; from the highways upon which we routinely drive, to the grand cityscapes of today’s metropolitan areas.
Sources
World Wide Web of Geotechnical Engineers. “Karl Von Terzaghi”. http://www.ejge.com/People/Terzaghi/Terzaghi.htm
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Brief History and Timeline. https://cee.mit.edu/timeline
Braja M. Das and Khaled Sobhan. “Principles of Geotechnical Engineering – Eighth Edition”. 2012.
Yves Eggleston. “Understanding Geotechnical Reports”. January 2012. http://blueprintmasonry.com/importance-of-a-geotechnical-engineer/
Dr. Ben H. Fatherree. US Army Corps of Engineers – Engineer Research and Development Center. “The “History of Geotechnical Engineering at the Waterways Experiment Station – Chapter 1: The Rise of Geotechnology Through 1936.” http://gsl.erdc.usace.army.mil/gl-history/Chap1.htm
