Geologia inżynierska (2)

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Our day-to-day work is a broad spectrum of activities related to engineering geology. The main tasks of our work involve the assessment and analysis of geological, engineering, and hydrogeological conditions in areas where construction, infrastructure, or other types of projects are planned. A key element of our work is the identification of unfavourable processes and phenomena, such as landslides, erosion, or hazards associated with the presence of groundwater, which may affect soil stability and structural safety.

In addition to identifying hazards, we also conduct detailed analyses to estimate the physical and mechanical parameters of soil and rock, such as bearing capacity, consolidation, permeability, and the strength of rocks and soils. These parameters are crucial for the proper design of foundations for buildings, tunnels, and roads, as well as for land-use planning and the development of underground space. We collaborate with designers and engineers, providing them with the necessary data to ensure the safe and efficient implementation of projects.

Our activities not only support construction processes but are also aimed at protecting the environment and minimizing the negative impact of human activity on the landscape and nature. By using modern research methods and geophysical techniques, we are able to precisely determine soil conditions and anticipate potential risks, which allows us to take appropriate preventive or corrective measures before serious problems arise.

ABOUT ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

Engineering geology is a science involving the study, analysis, and resolution of engineering and environmental problems that may arise as a result of interactions between geology¹ and human works and activities², as well as the prediction and development of preventive or remedial measures in the event of geological hazards (IAEG Statutes, 1992 - https://iaeg.info/mission/).

Engineering geology covers (IAEG Statutes, 1992 - https://iaeg.info/mission/):

determining the geomorphology, structure, stratigraphy, lithology, and hydrogeological conditions of geological formations;
characterizing the mineralogical, physical-geomechanical, chemical, and hydraulic properties of all earth materials used in construction, resource recovery, and environmental changes;
assessing the mechanical and hydrological behavior of soils and rock masses;
predicting changes in the above properties over time; determining the parameters to be considered in the stability analysis of engineering structures and earthworks;
improving and maintaining the condition of the environment and the properties of the terrain.

(¹ e.g., geological environment, geological-engineering environment, construction ground, soil, rock mass)

(² e.g., earthworks, mining operations, structures, underground structures, land development, underground space development)

Engineering geology plays a key role in many aspects of infrastructure design and construction. Here are a few key points highlighting its importance:

Structural Safety: Through thorough soil investigations, the risk of structural failures - such as landslides, sinkholes, or foundation overloading - can be minimized.
Optimal design: Engineering geology provides the necessary information to select appropriate foundation types and structures, which leads to cost savings and increases project efficiency.
Environmental protection: Geological surveys help assess the environmental impact of construction projects, enabling the implementation of appropriate protective measures.
Risk management: By analyzing geological risks, such as floods or landslides, preventive measures can be planned and implemented.
Spatial planning: Geological information is essential in the spatial planning process, influencing decisions regarding the location of buildings and infrastructure.
Sustainable development: Engineering geology supports sustainable development by assisting in the search for construction materials and assessing their environmental impact.
Technological innovations: Modern technologies, such as numerical modeling, enable better analysis of soil conditions and simulation of structural behavior.

Engineering geology is essential for the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of construction projects, influencing their durability and functionality.

Here are some of the main practical applications of engineering geology:

Soil investigations: Conducting geotechnical investigations to assess soil properties, which is essential for designing the foundations of buildings, roads, and bridges.
Geological risk analysis: Assessing potential hazards, such as landslides, sinkholes, or floods, to plan appropriate protective measures.
Foundation design: Determining the appropriate types of foundations based on soil conditions and loads.
Slope stabilization: Developing solutions for slope stabilization in mountainous or coastal areas to prevent landslides.
Environmental protection: Monitoring and managing the environmental impact of construction, including testing for soil and groundwater contamination.
Tunnel and road construction: Assessing geological conditions during tunnel construction, which is critical for the safety and efficiency of the structure.
Hydrological analysis: Studying groundwater and surface water flows in the context of infrastructure planning and construction.

Engineering geology combines geological knowledge with engineering, enabling the creation of safe and durable structures. The use of modern technologies, such as numerical modeling and GIS systems, makes analysis and design decision-making much easier.

UNDERGROUND SPACE MANAGEMENT

Underground space management, as a process, covers all activities aimed at the planning, coordination, monitoring and rational use of soil and rock mass for the purposes of construction, mining, geology, water resource management, disposal and storage.

In recent years, the EU has been paying increasing attention to sustainable development, including the effective management of underground space, the importance of which is growing in the context of climate change, urbanisation and the energy transition.

The sustainable development of underground space enables the identification of spatial conflicts and the optimisation of planning for future uses of soil and rock mass. Underground space management is also a tool that can support the development of modern cities (Smart Cities).

Thanks to modern technologies and digital transformation, it is possible to develop information layers and carry out analyses of the current state of underground space utilisation, as well as to forecast future needs in this area. This enables better management of underground space and its adaptation to dynamic changes and future needs.

Well-organised management of underground space can contribute to investment in new forms of development, such as underground pumped-storage power stations, the use of geothermal energy, and the storage of heat and energy. In view of climate change, underground space management can support the implementation of adaptation strategies and increase the potential for the supply of energy, heat and cooling from renewable energy sources.

GROUND MODELS

Contemporary design and implementation of construction projects increasingly rely on digital tools to support the analysis and management of ground conditions. Digital ground models are of particular importance, as they enable the visualisation of geotechnical conditions and uncertainties, improving the design process and facilitating collaboration between those involved in the construction project.

In the design of building structures, it is essential to develop a ground model that encompasses the stratigraphic sequence and parameters determined through the integration of geological, geophysical, engineering-geological and geotechnical data. Ground models are developed in various forms, increasingly as three-dimensional (3D) models. Such models enable a tailored approach to the design of foundations or reinforcements, particularly for structures in offshore areas (Velenturf et al., 2021).

The ground model is defined in various ways (Parry et al., 2014; Majer, Sokołowska, Frankowski (eds.) et al., 2018; REGULATION No. 22…, 2019; Baynes, Parry, 2022; Majer, Sokołowska (eds.) et al., 2023; European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Garin et al., 2024 - JRC140556; PN-EN-1997-1:2025-10E; PN-EN-1997-2:2025-10E).

The latest definition of a ground model is given in standard PN-EN-1997-1:2025-10E. The standard defines it as: a detailed site-specific description of the distribution and nature of the ground and groundwater, based on investigation results and other available data. The model should cover the geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical conditions at the site in question, as determined on the basis of ground investigation results (PN-EN-1997-2:2025-10E). The current standard PN-EN 1997-2:2009 does not use the term ‘ground model’, but merely mentions the term ‘geological model’, for which it provides no definition. According to the standard PN-EN-1997-2:2025-10E, a ground model should:

take into account the variability and uncertainty of conditions and of geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical properties,
be of an appropriate level of detail tailored to the geotechnical category and to the so-called zone of influence (ZOI),
be refined and updated on the basis of new data,
contain derived values of ground properties broken down by geotechnical layers,
be documented in the Ground Investigation Report or in the Geotechnical Design Report.

In addition to the ground model, other types of models are developed during the investment process, depending on the specific nature of the projects in question, in particular:

a geophysical model,
a geological-geophysical model,
an integrated geological model,
an integrated ground model (IGM),
an engineering-geological model (EGM).

A geophysical model is used to develop a geological-geophysical model; it depicts the arrangement of geophysical layers, their geophysical properties (parameters measured by means of geophysical surveys) and/or the locations of geophysical anomalies (Ostrowski, Pacanowski, Majer, Sokołowska (eds.) et al., 2023). This model is developed on the basis of the results of geophysical surveys.

The geological-geophysical model depicts the arrangement of geological-geophysical layers, their physical and mechanical properties and/or the locations of adverse processes and phenomena (Ostrowski, Pacanowski, Majer, Sokołowska (eds.) et al., 2023). The model is developed on the basis of geophysical survey results, as well as correlations or related context.

An engineering geological model (EGM) comprises comprehensive and framework data that support the interpretation and assessment of engineering geological conditions and enable the evaluation of how these conditions interact with the proposed structure, so that appropriate engineering decisions can be made throughout the structure’s life cycle, from its launch to its removal. By adopting this definition, the aim is to move beyond the concept in which a ‘model’ is a simplified and static three-dimensional representation of ground conditions, and to recognise that the creation and development of an EGM is a continuous process of data collection which ensures the management and control of engineering works throughout the structure’s life cycle (Baynes, Parry, 2022, translated).

An integrated geological model (IGM) or integrated ground model (IGM) is a digital representation of the geological, geotechnical and engineering properties of the ground, which enables a detailed analysis of the conditions under which construction works - including specialist geotechnical works - will be carried out (Majer, Sokołowska, Szabłowska (eds.) et al., 2024). The integration of geophysical and geological data is the process of combining, matching and analysing various types of data from different sources in order to obtain a more complete picture of the conditions occurring in the ground at the project site and on the seabed. The aim of integration is to create a coherent subsurface model - or, in the case of geological and engineering documentation, a geological and engineering model - which takes into account all relevant geometric, physical and mechanical aspects of the subsurface as well as potential hazards, thereby providing the basis for design work.

Each model - in particular the ground model and the geological-engineering model - should be progressively refined and updated on the basis of new geological, geophysical, geological-engineering and geotechnical data collected during the investment process.

Subsoil models can be presented in various forms. In design practice, two-dimensional (2D) models are usually developed - geotechnical cross-sections and geological-engineering cross-sections. These sections are prepared on the basis of data from boreholes and soundings, or they can be generated from a three-dimensional (3D) ground model (Madsen et al., 2022) and used to create Digital GeoTwins (4D).

Geological and Engineering Documentation

contains an engineering geological model (EGM) and/or geophysical and geophysical-geological models - integrated geological models in cases where the documentation describes and utilises the results of geophysical surveys. Geophysical and geological-geophysical models may be developed and presented in Other Geological Documentation or in Geological and Engineering Documentation, provided they have been designed and carried out in conjunction with the engineering geological works within the scope of that documentation.

OFFSHORE SURVEYS

In order to characterise the geological and engineering conditions present in the subsoil beneath marine structures, ground investigations are carried out, including geological, engineering and geophysical surveys. Selected investigations are carried out on the basis of a previously prepared Geological Works Design. As marine construction structures may be located in both marine and onshore areas, field investigations for such a project are carried out at sea and on land. On the land section, geological and engineering investigations are carried out in accordance with the current standards PN-EN 1997-2, PN-EN ISO 22475-1 and the PN-EN ISO 22476 series.

In the offshore section, the methodology for carrying out field investigations is slightly different; therefore, in addition to the standards applied on land, standards specific to offshore areas are used, in particular PN-EN ISO 19901 and the standards and recommendations - DNV standards. The PN-EN ISO 19901-8:2015-10 standard, which sets out requirements and recommendations for seabed investigations, was originally developed for the purpose of seabed investigations for the oil and gas industry. As the principles for seabed investigations for the design of all offshore structures are similar, in 2024 it was replaced by the PN-EN ISO 19901-8:2024-03 standard, which contains recommendations for all types of offshore structures. This standard applies to the investigation of soil and rock in marine environments at all possible water depths and provides guidance on the selection of appropriate equipment and investigation methods. This standard is supplemented by the other standards in the PN-EN ISO 19901 series, including the part concerning geophysical investigations (PN-EN ISO 19901-10:2022-07).

Offshore geological surveys require the involvement of an experienced team and suitably equipped ships. Their conduct depends not only on the availability of equipment and personnel, but also on changing weather conditions. Consequently, when carrying out surveys, full use must be made of the available techniques in order to obtain as much data as possible. The choice of ships used for geological surveys depends on a number of factors, ranging from geological and hydrological considerations to economic factors.

Geotechnical investigations in marine areas, which are essential for the proper documentation of the geotechnical conditions present in the subsoil of the planned development, include geophysical surveys, drilling with soil and rock sampling, borehole investigations, parametric sounding, laboratory tests and geotechnical mapping.

For more information on offshore geological and engineering surveys, see the guides:

Part 1 - https://www.pgi.gov.pl/docman-tree-all/geologia-inzynierska/poradniki-i-metodyki/11669-zasady-dokumentowania-geoinz-warunkow-posadowienia-obiektow-bud-morskiego/file.html

Part 2 - in preparation

Further information on offshore investigations:

https://www.pgi.gov.pl/gdansk/oddzial-geologii-morza.html

Offshore survey services:

Laboratory testing - https://www.pgi.gov.pl/inzynierska/2-centrum-badan-gruntow-i-skal/oferta-badan.html

Geological supervision - https://www.pgi.gov.pl/inzynierska/1-geologia-inzynierska/oferta.html

Geological works designs, geological and engineering documentation, ground investigation reports, integrated ground models - https://www.pgi.gov.pl/inzynierska/1-geologia-inzynierska/oferta.html