Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil and geological engineering that deals with soil, rock, and water and their relation to the design, construction, and operation of engineering projects. Since most civil and geological engineering structures are constructed on or within the earth surface, an understanding of the mechanical behaviour of earth materials is essential. By applying the principles of soil mechanics we can design foundations for buildings, bridges, and offshore oil platforms; earth structures for the generation of electricity or the impoundment of mine wastes; landfills; retaining walls; open excavations for the construction of subway tunnels; or remediation systems to clean up contaminants released into the subsurface.

Geotechnical courses familiarize students with the engineering properties of soils, the fundamentals of soil mechanics, and the application of geotechnical data for the design of foundations, earth-retaining structures, excavations, earth embankments and highway pavements.

University of Waterloo Geotechnical Engineering Courses

Undergraduate and graduate geotechnical engineering courses descriptions are available through the links at the top and bottom of this page. Program information and complete descriptions of all undergraduate and graduate courses offered in the Civil and Geological Engineering programs can be found in the University of Waterloo Undergraduate and Graduate Calendars (Undergraduate Calendar; Graduate Calendar).

Geotechnical Engineering Undergraduate Courses