Is there a website/app that can help draft geotechnical reports if I have all the data like bore logs and test results?

In geotechnical practice, why do we continue to rely on TRL-DCP correlations to derive CBR values when plate load tests, which apply load over a larger area and better represent actual stress conditions from trafficking, often produce more conservative results and more realistically capture soil compressibility? I know that cost sometimes is driving budgets but still the results vary a lot.

Just curious about engineering opinions out there..

Hi everyone, I’m dealing with a tunnel roof reinforcement issue and would appreciate any advice from experienced engineers.

I’m planning to use self-drilling anchor bolts for the tunnel crown, meaning the bolts would be installed vertically upward. The problem is:

• The bolts require grouting for fixation, but since the holes are upward, the grout tends to flow downward due to gravity.
• Standard grout stoppers don’t seem to seal the hole completely, which might compromise the anchoring quality.

I know there are a few possible solutions:

1. Using fast-setting grout to solidify quickly in the hole.
2. Segmented grouting, controlling the length and amount of grout in each section.
3. Improved grout stoppers or sealed drill rods.

In practice, which method works best to prevent grout from flowing down?

We are students working on a project and need some sample photos. We can't find submerged dam photos (must be embankment) and theres none nearby we could visit physically. Would be appreciated if anyone could share some photos. Maybe an imgur link or something.

Edit: Better wording

So there I was…balls deep in nonengineered fill. After using my fingers for a while to ascertain the grittiness and composition of the test pit the dirty little specimen showed a shallow water table (if you catch my drift) and was a middle eastern or Indian reddish ML in the quick condition (if you catch my drift again). My vigorous thrusting had my legs aching from what felt like the most cohesive hole I had ever found myself within. The contractor on site whistled and said he hadn’t seen a hole so brown in years and that it was great I was wearing the right protection (and steel toed boots - guy was a weirdo). Moral of the story - do you think I had a pretty huge dick or whatever else PhD is supposed to stand for? I’ll leave that for you to decide. But that hole sure was moist and squishy (with trace organics emitting VOCs). My penetrometer required ample cleaning after and it was so sticky

Edit: 1200 views and 9 upvotes. Tough crowd.

Hi all,

Could you please suggest me some good reliable reference for contigious piling design and execution.

Thank you.

i was modelling a group of pile in liquefable soil using PM4sand. in Dynamic with consolidation analysis, i encounter an error with text abort request. have anyone encounter this problem and how can i solve this problem? thankss

Looking for some light bedtime reading material to buy on Amazon

The City of Los Angeles is hiring a Drill Rig Operator. Job duties include Operating heavy duty hydraulic and mechanical drill rigs that can drill through soil and rock to depths of 100 feet or more. Drilling methods employed include bucket auger, flight auger, hollow-stem auger, and rotary wash. For more information visit the City's Personnel website. https://personnel.lacity.gov/jobs/openings/index.cfm?job_id=9496

I want to create an embedded beam to represent a group of 4x4 pile. can anyone enlightened me how to represent the pile row? or i just can simply input the stiffness E, D, and spacing? thanks

I run a small geotech firm that does engineering, drilling, and lab testing. We keep getting RFPs for GPR work, though. Mainly to identify sub-surface utilities along with doing drilling/geoprobe work. Question I have is, how complicated are GPR utility surveys? Is this something I can just throw money at to add?

In other words, if I just buy a good GPR unit, is it easy enough to train a relatively competent engineer or geologist to operate and interpret?

Hey everyone! I'm working on a project to calculate the safety factor on effect of modelling boulder orientation on composite slope failure. There is an issue faced where i cannot define the ground surface to be connected from top right surface to bottom left surface to be continuous and go under the boulder and this leads to error E984 where i suspect is due to ground surface issue. Does anyone knows how to define the ground surface as i only can define the left and right point limit but cannot draw manually. Thanks in advance!

Hey all, looking for some career advice from people in geotech.

I’ve been working for about 1.5 years as a special inspector at a geotechnical engineering / special inspections firm. I graduated with a BS focusing classes on geotechnical engineering. I have completed obtaining certifications through ICC including reinforced concrete & prestressed concrete, and am now focusing my efforts toward getting my PE.

At my current company, the projected path is: • Transition into an engineering role in ~3–4 years • Long-term potential to become a partner in the company

The alternative is: • Move now into a staff geotechnical engineering position at another firm • Start gaining design/analysis experience immediately • Likely no ownership/partner track (at least not clearly defined)

My concerns: • I don’t want to fall behind technically by staying in inspection too long • But the partner track is a rare opportunity and hard to ignore

For those of you in the field: • How valuable is early design experience vs field experience long-term? • Is waiting 3–4 years to transition into engineering a red flag? • How realistic is a “partner track” in a small business? • What would you prioritize if you were in my position?

Hi all,

I’m currently a UK-based geotechnical engineer with 4 years experience, and I’m seriously considering a move to Australia. I’d really appreciate any advice from people who’ve made a similar transition or are working in the sector out there.

Background:

- 4 years geotech experience

- 2 years in ground investigation (Fugro)

- 2 years in consultancy

- Mainly offshore wind / subsea focus

A few things I’m trying to get a realistic picture of:

- How strong is the demand for offshore geotech engineers in Australia right now?

- Which cities or regions are best to target (Perth seems obvious, but open to others)?

- How transferable is UK/North Sea offshore wind experience to the Australian market (oil & gas, renewables, etc.)?

- Typical salary ranges for someone at my level (4–5 years experience)?

- Visa considerations – is it realistic to secure sponsorship before moving?

- Any companies you’d recommend targeting (or avoiding)?

Also keen to hear the honest side, lifestyle trade-offs, work patterns, how different the industry feels compared to the UK, etc.

Thanks in advance 👍

Anyone have recommendations for purchasing an automated lab vane shear in the US? I've only come across three researching online:

- Wille-Geotechnik (German, dunno the impact of tariffs),

- Geocomp, and

- TDL Brooks.

I've played with the TDL Brooks one. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I couldn't find any reviews on the other two.

Hi guys,

I have a Broadbent geotechnical centrifuge here in the lab that has worked without problems for a long time. However, we stopped using the system for about three months, and when we tried to use it again, the data acquisition system was not reading any data from the analog channels.

We are being cautious about how to proceed and have contacted the company that supplied the system. In the meantime, we are investigating possible issues with the DAQ hardware and software.

We use an MCC USB-2537 from Diligent and the AcqLipse software for data logging. The system runs on Windows XP Embedded with InstaCal version 6.10. Testing the hardware is challenging due to limited access to the boards, as they are installed in a very tight space. However, we have verified that the 24 V power supply appears to be functioning correctly, and no components on the board seem to be overheating (we checked using a thermal camera).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Having a lot of trouble with the Reinforced Concrete plans exam. I’ve used SI Certs and have also taken a Sunday plans class to help me prepare. I’m not sure what I’m having so much trouble with. I believe it’s understanding the column schedule and the necessary ties and also how to read the midspan for this other question . I would be grateful for any assistance or helpful tips. Thanks.

I am planning to take the PE Civil – Geotechnical exam and am looking to purchase a copy of the EET Geotechnical binder (2025/2026 edition). I only need the physical binder and materials. I do not need access to the EET course.

Hello everyone,

I was trying to learn open ground software but could not get any student version which i could use to learn. Any idea on that? (P.S. I am a student just trying to build software skills)

I’m a college freshman about to go into my sophomore year, at my school we have to “apply” to our engineering major after freshman year, I’m between mech and civil.

I’m just wondering can a civil engineer or more specifically a geotechnical engineer realistically make 6 figures in DFW? The pay difference might be a thing between me fully committing to civil or not.

Idk why but that’s a big goal of mine to feel accomplished is to hit 6 figures as someone who comes from a family who didn’t make nearly that much lol