Erdtechnik

Erdtechnik, commonly referred to in English as geotechnical engineering, is a branch of civil engineering that studies the behavior of earth materials and their interaction with built structures. It encompasses soil mechanics, ground investigation, foundation design, earthworks, retaining structures, slope stabilization, and ground improvement techniques used in construction.

The core goal is to ensure stability, safety, and serviceability by understanding properties of soils and rocks—such as strength, stiffness, compressibility, permeability, and groundwater conditions—and how loads from buildings, roads, dams, or tunnels transfer through the ground. This requires field exploration, laboratory testing, and analysis to predict settlement, bearing capacity, and lateral earth pressures.

History: The discipline emerged in the early 20th century with the development of soil mechanics, led by Karl Terzaghi and later established as geotechnical engineering. Advances include constitutive models, instrumentation, and numerical methods for ground analysis.

Methods and applications: Site investigations involve drilling, sampling, and in-situ tests. Laboratory tests (triaxial, oedometer) determine soil properties. Design methods include analytical approaches and numerical modeling (finite element analysis). Practices cover shallow foundations, deep foundations (piles), retaining walls, slope stabilization, groundwater control, and ground improvement (compaction, grouting, reinforcement).

Education and practice: Erdtechnik is taught in civil engineering programs and practiced by consulting engineers, contractors, and researchers. It intersects with geology, environmental engineering, and construction management and plays a key role in infrastructure resilience and risk management.