Geotechnical Engineering for Construction Managers

Introduction

Ground conditions are one of the largest sources of uncertainty, cost overrun and delay in construction. Unexpected soft ground, rock, groundwater, contamination or old foundations can disrupt foundations, excavations, earthworks and tunnels, and poorly understood ground risk often leads to disputes.

This Geotechnical Engineering for Construction Managers training course gives non-specialist construction professionals a practical understanding of ground engineering. Participants learn how soils and rocks behave, how ground investigations are planned and interpreted, how foundations, retaining structures and earthworks are designed and built, how groundwater is controlled and how ground risk is managed contractually.

The course enables managers to work effectively with geotechnical specialists, ask the right questions and make better decisions about ground-related risks.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Explain basic soil and rock properties and behaviour
• Understand the planning and scope of ground investigations
• Interpret ground investigation reports and borehole logs
• Describe shallow and deep foundation types and their selection
• Understand retaining structures and excavation support
• Manage earthworks, compaction and ground improvement
• Recognise groundwater and contamination issues
• Manage ground risk through planning and contracts

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

• Construction and project managers
• Site engineers and civil engineers
• Quantity surveyors and commercial managers
• Client project managers
• Design managers
• Infrastructure and development managers

Training Methodology

The course uses ground investigation reports, borehole logs, photographs and case studies of ground-related problems. Participants interpret data, select foundation types for scenarios, review earthworks specifications and allocate ground risks in contract exercises. Technical concepts are explained in practical, accessible terms.

Target Competencies

• Ground behaviour understanding
• Ground investigation interpretation
• Foundation selection awareness
• Earthworks management
• Groundwater awareness
• Ground risk management

Day One: Soils, Rocks and Ground Behaviour

• Why ground conditions matter in construction
• Soil types and their engineering properties
• Rock types, weathering and discontinuities
• Strength, compressibility and settlement explained
• Effective stress and the role of water in soils
• Lessons from ground-related construction failures
• Exercise: identifying ground risks for a site

Day Two: Ground Investigation

• Desk studies and site walkover surveys
• Planning intrusive investigations and boreholes
• In situ and laboratory testing methods
• Reading borehole logs and trial pit records
• Interpreting ground investigation reports
• Geotechnical baseline reports and design parameters
• Workshop: interpreting a ground investigation report

Day Three: Foundations and Retaining Structures

• Shallow foundations: pads, strips and rafts
• Deep foundations: driven and bored piles
• Pile testing and integrity checks
• Retaining walls and embedded walls
• Excavation support and temporary works
• Settlement and effects on adjacent structures
• Exercise: selecting foundations for scenarios

Day Four: Earthworks, Groundwater and Ground Improvement

• Earthworks design, cut and fill balance
• Compaction specifications and testing
• Slope stability and embankment construction
• Groundwater control and dewatering methods
• Ground improvement techniques and their uses
• Contaminated land and environmental considerations
• Case study: earthworks problems on a road project

Day Five: Managing Ground Risk

• Ground risk registers and risk allocation
• Unforeseen ground conditions clauses in contracts
• Observational methods and monitoring
• Working effectively with geotechnical specialists
• Recording and responding to unexpected conditions
• Ground risk in programme and cost planning
• Personal action plan for ground risk management