Geological engineering

The purpose of geological studies and geological engineering is to identify various layers of soil and rock in the first place and then determine the different physical and geological properties and assess the geological risks for the construction of numerous structures such as tunnels, bridges, trenches, embankments and buildings. These consulting engineers, with their experienced expert team and field operations equipment such as geological hammers, Schmidt hammers, GPS and compass, conduct all matters related to engineering geology for profuse civil engineering projects

Field visit

During the field visits, the team identifies the factors affecting the design by examining, evaluating and identifying the exact location according to the requirements of the project, including various soil and rock properties, hydrogeology, geological structures such as faults and their effects  on the design, borrow pits and  diverse geological hazards during long-term construction and maintenance, while also defining the boundaries of different layers using GPS, separately assesses the characteristics of the unit

In soil units, while determining the thickness, material, field classification of soil unit, parameters such as particle size distribution , plasticity, density, adhesion, load capacity, the presence of aqueous layers, drift potential and, if necessary, usability to the title of the materials and sources of the borrow pits are initially assessed

In rock units, first and foremost the type of formation is identified. Then the thickness, sequence of diverse layers and major geological structures such as folds and faults will be identified and its footprints on the structure will be investigated. While the evaluation of the compressive strength of different layers by Schmidt hammer is being conducted, the condition of rock mass discontinuities will be evaluated. At this level, applying a compass, the slope and length of each discontinuity are removed and in order to the classification of the engineering of each unit, the distance, opening, filling and surface conditions of each discontinuity are recorded

In the last phase of recording rock mass information, the relevant geological hazards including rock slip potential,  wedge formation, rock block overturning, rock fall, solubility, erosion, etc. will be evaluated

Office studies

The geology team combined field survey data and GPS-recorded points with other data (available large-scale geological maps, satellite imagery, and aerial photographs) to provide and prepare geological maps to the required scale

The most significant step in engineering geology studies is to prepare quantitative data to get the design team working. To fulfil this purpose, by preparing geological profiles and sections, soil and rock masses are separated from each other and the engineering characteristics of each layer are determined separately in order to form engineering geological layers. In rock layers, the classification of rock masses is determined so that by them, the initial design of technical buildings might be done more effortlessly. Finally, by analyzing field data and soil and rock mass engineering classification applying experimental relationships and up-to-date engineering software, diverse parameters are estimated and provided to the design team

In rock layers, kinematic evaluation and analysis are together conducted in order to evaluate the potential of structural instabilities, particularly at the site of rocky slopes

In the final stage of the first phase of studies, geologists, according to the knowledge of the characteristics of the earth, high-risk geological points and the location of numerous structures, propose instructions for geotechnical operations to monitor the various stages of drilling and geotechnical experiments, different parameters examining the design requirement in the second phase of the study. All of the above-mentioned points will be submitted in the form of engineering geology report and map album

In the second phase of the studies, after obtaining the results of geotechnical experiments, combined with geotechnical and geological data, the design parameters are refined and the design team is provided with the second phase of studies. The most essential geological engineering services of these consulting engineers are as follow

Geological studies and engineering geology

Geological studies to assess the stability of rocky and earthy slopes 

Prepare the instructions for eotechnical studies and observe the implementation 

Seismicity studies and seismic hazard analysis 

Studies and assessment of geological hazards 

Studies of borrow pits and construction materials 

Liquidation potential evaluation studies and its control 

Evaluation and control studies of quicksand