It is important to understand the roles of the engineering geologist and the geotechnical engineer when considering, generally, how land is to be used. This is especially the case for Malibu because of its relatively complex geology. Geology commonly is defined as the scientific study of earth history, essentially how the earth came to be as it is. The geologist employs the scientific method which essentially requires first, the observation and classification of physical conditions, second, the formation of a hypothesis to explain those conditions, and third, experimentation to demonstrate, through repeated results, whether the hypothesis is valid.
The engineering geologist applies the principles of geology to civil works, which once meant structures such as dams, bridges, roads, and large buildings, together with the grading of the earth such structures require, but now it is extended to any structures, and in particular when considering Malibu, structures associated with residential development. On the other hand, the engineer is an artist in the sense that art is defined as the application of knowledge such as mathematics, and the known physical characteristics of materials, to design some object having a specific use. For example, the engineer who designs a bridge using concrete and steel girders is no less an artist than a painter who uses canvas and oils to create a picture of that bridge.
Developing land to be safe requires the expertise of both the engineering geologist and the geotechnical engineer. The geotechnical engineer is a civil engineer specializing in the determination of the mechanical characteristics of earth materials. In simple terms, the engineering geologist determines where in a building site specific kinds of earth materials occur, and the geotechnical engineer, once called the "soils engineer," tests those materials to measure their physical characteristics, particularly their strengths, in order to determine how they will perform in relation to certain proposed construction. An important aspect of this duality concerns geologic hazards. For example, the geologist's investigation indicating that a landslide might occur would be complemented by the geotechnical engineer's investigation to determine how that condition could be remedied. In such circumstances, the geotechnical engineer may, with minimum involvement, indicate that development of the property is not feasible.
The engineering geologist applies the principles of geology to civil works, which once meant structures such as dams, bridges, roads, and large buildings, together with the grading of the earth such structures require, but now it is extended to any structures, and in particular when considering Malibu, structures associated with residential development. On the other hand, the engineer is an artist in the sense that art is defined as the application of knowledge such as mathematics, and the known physical characteristics of materials, to design some object having a specific use. For example, the engineer who designs a bridge using concrete and steel girders is no less an artist than a painter who uses canvas and oils to create a picture of that bridge.
Developing land to be safe requires the expertise of both the engineering geologist and the geotechnical engineer. The geotechnical engineer is a civil engineer specializing in the determination of the mechanical characteristics of earth materials. In simple terms, the engineering geologist determines where in a building site specific kinds of earth materials occur, and the geotechnical engineer, once called the "soils engineer," tests those materials to measure their physical characteristics, particularly their strengths, in order to determine how they will perform in relation to certain proposed construction. An important aspect of this duality concerns geologic hazards. For example, the geologist's investigation indicating that a landslide might occur would be complemented by the geotechnical engineer's investigation to determine how that condition could be remedied. In such circumstances, the geotechnical engineer may, with minimum involvement, indicate that development of the property is not feasible.
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