Track Geotechnical Engineering

The ground is an integral part of all civil engineering constructions and geotechnical engineers are needed for all civil engineering projects. Indeed, highly qualified geotechnical engineers are at a premium and highly sought by civil engineering companies. This is because structural failures are very costly and the biggest risks tend to be associated with the ground. The civil engineering industry is therefore desperate to recruit specialist geotechnical engineers who really understand the mechanical behaviour of soils and soil-structure interaction!

This master track provides the dedicated training needed to educate geotechnical engineers to the high level required by industry. It prepares engineers for the increasing challenges posed by, for example, climate change, ageing of structures, increasing magnitude and frequency of loading, zero carbon emissions and green energy. At the same time, it trains students in the latest analytical, numerical and probabilistic methods aimed at reducing uncertainty and over-conservatism in geotechnical design. Focus application areas include ground investigation, deep excavations and tunnels in built-up areas, foundation engineering and use of underground space, offshore geotechnics and wind energy, dykes and embankments, soil dynamics, slope stability, environmental geotechnics, and geothermal energy.

Key features

➨ Engineering geology, site investigation and laboratory testing of soils.
➨ Deep understanding of soil mechanical behaviour.
➨ Analysis of soil-structure interaction.
➨ Design and assessment of geotechnical structures.
➨ Fostering a close working relationship with industry partners.

Graduation Projects

Students who choose the track Geotechnical Engineering have a multitude of opportunities for their master’s thesis. Prep for the master thesis starts in Q6 after completing the electives and cross-over section of the general programme. Below are just a few highlighted projects of previous students from the track Geotechnical Engineering. 

Research examples

Radioactive waste: Store for evermore

The production of nuclear energy and medical isotopes, along with healthcare applications and scientific research, generates radioactive waste. This waste can be harmful to people and the environment for millennia. Therefore, it is crucial to design safe disposal facilities that can stand the test of time. Assistant Professor of Multiphysics Geomechanics at TU Delft Anne-Catherine Dieudonné is currently investigating the possibilities of disposing radioactive waste in the deep subsurface, using clay samples from geological layers that have never been studied before.

Help from on high to solve earthly problems

The ground beneath our feet is constantly moving and that can compromise the stability of buildings and infrastructure. Satellite data are helping Giorgia Giardina to chart the impact of subsurface activity on buildings in great detail so efficient measures to limit damage, cost and safety risks can be taken before it’s too late.