Geotechnical engineer (integrated degree)

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Ground investigation techniques and solutions to derive soil and rock parameters for subsequent geotechnical engineering activities: intrusive and non-intrusive in situ techniques, laboratory tests, and instrumentation and monitoring techniques. Back to Duty

K2: Ground conditions and ground shaping processes: soil and rock forming, hydrology, hydrogeology and geomorphology; naturally occurring and/or from human activities. How they can impact on construction projects and create geohazards for geotechnical assets. Back to Duty

K3: Soil and rock behaviour (soil and rock mechanics) when exposed to changes in load and/or environmental conditions and the implications this can have on the short- and long-term performance of geotechnical assets. Back to Duty

K4: Numerical, analytical and critical analysis techniques for the analysis of engineering problems and development of solutions. The limitations of these approaches. Back to Duty

K5: Desk based research techniques for developing a specification for a ground investigation. Correlating outcomes from a ground investigation with fundamental engineering parameters relating to the soil/rock. Back to Duty

K6: Principles of economic responsibilities, ethical principles, social responsibilities and, environmental protection and sustainability. How they must be applied to geotechnical engineering activities in the short- and long-term. Back to Duty

K7: The implications of contaminated land on geotechnical activities and design solutions in the short- and long-term. Contaminated land remediation approaches. Back to Duty

K8: Design principles and methods for geotechnical engineering and their limitations. Back to Duty

K9: Design codes and standards for geotechnical engineering activities. Back to Duty

K10: Current and previous industry developments, case studies and forensic analysis for use in design solutions. Back to Duty

K11: The need for ‘buildability’ and consideration of long-term asset performance during the design stage. Back to Duty

K12: Geotechnical asset management techniques and approaches through construction and post construction; and the importance of considering these during the design stage. Back to Duty

K13: Construction methods and management approaches used when constructing/managing geotechnical assets. Back to Duty

K14: Project management techniques for geotechnical engineering activities: estimating, programming, cost and budget control and resource management. Back to Duty

K15: Risk management techniques relating to the uncertainty/ambiguity inherent geotechnical engineering activities. For example, controlling risks to the environment, economy and society, risks arising during construction, risks on the geotechnical assets themselves, and those associated with the project: programme/budget control, commercial and financial issues. Back to Duty

K16: Legal requirements, including Health and Safety at Work, Environmental Protection and sustainability, Construction Design Management (CDM), data protection. Back to Duty

K17: Commercial and contractual requirements when undertaking geotechnical engineering activities: forms of contract, mechanisms of payment, specifications, and procurement. Back to Duty

K18: Time management techniques. Back to Duty

K19: Teamwork and leadership: negotiation techniques, conflict management, development techniques and, diversity, equality and inclusivity considerations. Back to Duty

K20: Communication techniques: oral, written, drawings and presentations. Back to Duty

K21: Information technology: digital tools for research, analysis, and presentation of data, Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital communication and collaboration packages. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Specify ground investigations to obtain geotechnical data including in situ techniques, laboratory tests and instrumentation and monitoring techniques. Back to Duty

S2: Interpret the ground investigation data and develop a ground model including the identification of geohazards, contaminated land and other risks to the project as appropriate. Back to Duty

S3: Collect, analyse, and interpret data using numerical, analytical and critical analysis techniques to develop an engineering understanding of the ground and how this will impact upon future design solutions; short- and long-term responses. Back to Duty

S4: Undertake research and employ suitable methods to improve understanding of the engineering response of the ground. For example, undertake a laboratory study, numerical analysis, interpret previously published data on the ground conditions (or data from laboratory/numerical investigations), learn from previous case studies and/or utilise established correlations between parameters. Back to Duty

S5: Make geotechnical engineering decisions. Back to Duty

S6: Use geotechnical design principles, methods, codes and standards when developing geotechincal solutions. Back to Duty

S7: Develop geotechnical engineering strategies and evaluate the potential impacts of these. For example, economic sustainability, ethical, societal and, environmental and sustainability perspectives and practical considerations such as buildability and long-term asset management. Back to Duty

S8: Produce geotechnical engineering designs, specification and drawings. For example, for tender and construction stages. Back to Duty

S9: Use project management techniques. For example, estimating, programming, cost and budget control and resource management. Back to Duty

S10: Identify and comply with legal and statutory requirements. For example, health and safety, Environmental protection and sustainability, CDM and data protection. Back to Duty

S11: Use risk management techniques and manage risks associated with geotechnical engineering activities. Back to Duty

S12: Plan and manage own time. Back to Duty

S13: Work with and lead others including, negotiation, conflict management and developing others; taking account of diversity, equality and inclusivity. Back to Duty

S14: Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders: oral, written, drawings, and presentations. Back to Duty

S15: Use information technology: digital tools for research, analysis, and presentation of data, Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital communication and collaboration packages. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Prioritises and promotes ethical, sustainable and socially responsible practices. Back to Duty

B2: Adaptable, flexible and resilient in challenging and/or changing environments. Back to Duty

B3: Takes responsibility for decisions, designs and procedures. Back to Duty

B4: Takes a whole life cycle view. Back to Duty

B5: Committed to continued professional development and is open to innovation. Back to Duty

B6: Collaborates and promotes team work across diverse teams: internal, external and across disciplines. Back to Duty