The Application of the Total Engineering Geology Approach

Fred Baynes

The essential concepts underlying the “total engineering geology approach” will be described e.g. the use of staged investigations, the adoption of a rigorous scientific approach, the role of geo-mapping, the establishment of reference conditions, the development of different types of geo-models, the application of the observational method etc. How the approach can be used to great advantage on major projects will be illustrated with case histories, together with some examples of the consequences of using less effective methodologies. The approach will be shown to be actually part of long established good practice, which nevertheless needs to be promoted within the construction and mining industry if we are to reduce the current high levels of project failure; some strategies to achieve that aim will be outlined.

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