encasement

Encasement is the act of enclosing something within a surrounding layer, shell, or casing. It denotes the state of being encased and is used in many fields to provide protection, containment, insulation, or structural support.

Common contexts include civil engineering, environmental protection, and utilities. In infrastructure projects, encasement refers to protective jackets around pipes, cables, or tunnels. These casings—often concrete, steel, or ductile iron—shield the contents from physical damage, moisture, chemical exposure, and soil movement, and help meet safety and regulatory requirements.

In environmental management and waste containment, encasement involves surrounding hazardous materials or contaminated soils with a containment layer to prevent leaching or dispersion of pollutants. Common materials include concrete, clay, or stabilized grouts.

In geology, paleontology, and materials science, encasement can denote surrounding specimens or ore bodies with rock, resin, plaster, or other media for preservation, stabilization, or study. For example, fossils may be encased in consolidants or resin to protect delicate structures during transport.

In electronics and consumer products, the term describes the outer housing that protects internal components and provides access interfaces. In a broader sense, encasement contrasts with encapsulation, which often implies micro-scale or functional coating rather than a large surrounding shell.

See also encapsulation, containment, protective casing, jacket.