geological engineering
Introduction
Geological engineering is the branch of engineering that is dedicated to engineering projects related to the processes, materials and resources of the earth (and the planets). The professional who exercises it as the geological engineer.
It constitutes in its entirety an independent branch of engineering and not a specialization of geology, geosciences or geological sciences in a broad sense. [1] Nor is it a subdiscipline of other engineering such as mining or civil engineering; Geological engineering subjects and knowledge are studied in other civil, mining, petroleum engineering and, in general, engineering that carries out projects that interact with geological processes, materials and resources. This is why it is a generalist engineering, due to the general training in engineering subjects that the geological engineer receives, which allows him to work in other areas outside of geological engineering itself; and transversal, since geological engineering problems arise in civil, mining, environmental engineering projects, etc.
It is an engineering as old as civil or mining engineering itself; Since since time immemorial, human beings have had to modify their environment or take into account the possible repercussions of their activities on the environment that surrounds them. However, the first university program in geological engineering (geological engineering), independent of civil engineering and geology studies, can be found at the University of British Columbia, created in 1921<ref.[2] Prior to this year, there were already engineers and geologists developing geological engineering tasks, but under the umbrella of their profession and area of work.
In countries like the USA, Spain, France, Canada, Australia; The geological engineer is a generalist engineer who in his training receives training in basic sciences (technical drawing, physics, chemistry, calculus, algebra), as well as in core subjects common to the branch of engineering (materials science, structures, electronics and electrotechnics, mechanics, fluid mechanics, mechanics of continuous media, thermodynamics, construction materials, numerical simulation, economics and business administration, topography and geographic information systems, etc.). Subsequently, he is trained in geological engineering subjects: hydrology and hydrogeology, geophysics and geochemistry, water engineering, injection of fluids into the subsoil, geotechnical works, river engineering, seismic engineering, hydrocarbon engineering, explosives, oil drilling, waste and environmental management, mining exploration and management, foundations, tunnels, terrain engineering, coastal and port engineering (protection, sea/port interaction, etc.), exploitations hydroelectric, geoenergies (wind, marine, geothermal, hydrothermal), energy resources, rock mechanics, soil mechanics, pollution treatment and waste management, and much more.