Scopes and Objectives
Geotechnical engineers work at the nexus of the natural and built environment, collaborating with seismologists, geologists, and structural engineers to design civil infrastructure to meet societal needs and mitigate natural hazards. Owing to the complexity of two- and three-phase soil and rock materials and the need to provide compatible material response with structures, the geotechnical engineer synthesizes elements of mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, and structural analysis to meet project objectives. Our program emphasizes a balance between fundamental theory and engineering application and between laboratory, field, and computational approaches to advance research and solve problems across a range of spatiotemporal scales. This work includes the study of fundamental multi-phase soil mechanics, leveraging biogeochemical processes for ground improvement and soil stabilization; analysis and mitigation of landslides, seismic hazards such as liquefaction and cyclic softening; and design of geostructures such as foundations and earth retaining structures. Geotechnical students and professionals perform duties in an interdisciplinary environment, often collaborating with coastal, structural, and construction engineers, as well as geologists, geomorphologists, hydrologists, and other disciplines. Our research appears in real-world applications related to renewable energy, coastal protection, community resilience, hazard mitigation, and improved design codes.
The geotechnical engineering program has a signature Geo-Institute Graduate Student Organization with activities ranging from monthly lecture series by visiting professionals and academics, attending monthly dinner meetings with the ASCE Oregon Geotechnical Section, and are fully plugged into the professional network prior to graduation.
Career Opportunities
Graduates focusing on geotechnical engineering within the MEng and MS program normally enter industry and take jobs with engineering consultants, regulatory agencies (e.g., departments of transportation), and specialty geotechnical design/build contractors. Typical job duties entail designing and executing subsurface exploration and laboratory test programs, designing shallow and deep foundations, excavations and fills, evaluating seismic and related hazards, and assessing stability of natural and cut slopes.
The geotechnical engineering program has an ASCE Geo-Institute Graduate Student Organization that organizes activities such monthly lecture series by visiting professionals and academics, attending monthly dinner meetings with the ASCE Oregon Geotechnical Section, and organizing biennial symposia with practitioners and other graduate programs in the Pacific Northwest. Through these and other events, our students are fully plugged into the professional network prior to graduation.
Research and Laboratory Facilities
Learn more about geotechnical research.
Coursework
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