Rockfall Mesh and the Vital Role of Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical engineering is where earth science meets adventure! This specialized field is all about understanding the earth beneath our feet and how it interacts with the structures we build — projects ranging from bridges and tunnels to buildings and roadways. One critical area within this field is the management of natural hazards, such as landslides and rockfalls. This is where rockfall mesh (something we at Natina specialize in coloring!) comes into play, protecting both people and property from the dangers posed by falling rocks. 

Understanding Geotechnical Engineering 

So, who’s responsible for this type of infrastructure? A geotechnical engineer! And there’s a specific type of person that thrives in this career. They’re the ultimate problem-solvers with a knack for curiosity! They’re investigative, analytical, and logical thinkers, always asking “why?” and “how?” They’re also super friendly and team-oriented. In other words, they’re brainy and approachable — the perfect combo!¹

Now, what do they actually do? These Earth detectives dive deep into the behavior of soil, rock, and other materials lurking beneath the ground. They apply scientific principles and engineering techniques to figure out how these materials behave to ensure structures like roads, buildings, and bridges are safe and sound.²

Geotechnical engineering is a big field, with specialists tackling different challenges. Here’s a peek at some cool roles:

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  Foundation Engineers:

  They lay the stable groundwork for structures (literally!). 

  Slope Stability Engineers:

  They keep landslides at bay — talk about needing to do a “rock solid” job! 

  Earthquake Engineers:

  They design structures that shake it off during earthquakes. 

  Investigation Engineers:

  They collect crucial data about soil and rock to predict any trouble before construction even starts. 

  Instrumentation Engineers:

  These tech-savvy experts monitor site stability in real-time. 

  Laboratory Engineers:

  They test material properties to make sure everything is up to code. 

  Geosynthetics Engineers:

  They get creative with materials like geogrids to strengthen the soil.¹

Here are a few key focus areas within geotechnical engineering: 

Soil Mechanics:

Understanding how soil behaves under various conditions, including its load-bearing capacity. 

 

Rock Mechanics:

Analyzing rock formations to determine their stability and suitability for construction. 

 

Site Investigation:

Scoping out potential problems before they happen. 

It’s obvious these engineers “rock” at their jobs, and they are essential to safe foundations, slopes, embankments, retaining structures, roadways, tunnels, levees, wharves, landfills, and other systems supported by soil or rock. Their goal: is to develop strategies to mitigate geotechnical hazards. It’s this work that’s foundational to the success of civil engineering projects, ensuring public safety and environmental sustainability by keeping everything sturdy.³

Take Alaska, for example — in its frozen lands, engineers face the unique challenge of working with permafrost. They use sensors (called thermistors) to track temperature changes in the soil, and advanced tech like satellite imagery and ground-penetrating radar helps them adjust designs accordingly, making sure everything stays solid, no matter how extreme the conditions!⁴

Rockfall Mesh: A Safety Net for Our Infrastructure 

Imagine you’re driving through a picturesque mountainous region. The views are breathtaking, but those towering cliffs pose a risk of rockfalls. Enter rockfall mesh, designed to catch those rogue boulders before they cause harm. 

Rockfall mesh is an engineered solution that helps prevent loose rocks and debris from tumbling onto roads, railways, and other critical infrastructure. Its benefits are numerous, including: 

 

Protection:

Safeguarding infrastructure and lives from falling rocks. 

 

Flexibility:

Adapting to different terrains and environments. 

Minimal Visual Impact:

Blending into the landscape while providing essential protection.5 (Natina specializes in this!) 
There are several types of rockfall mesh, including: 

Flexible Mesh Systems:

These absorb energy and allow rocks to fall without damaging the mesh itself. 

 

Rigid Mesh Systems:

Built for more extreme environments requiring enhanced strength. 

 

Hybrid Systems:

A combination of both flexible and rigid elements to suit various site conditions.⁶ 

Real-world case studies have showcased the success of rockfall mesh in protecting roads and communities, proving that engineering can indeed save the day!⁶

The Role of Geotechnical Engineers in Rockfall Mitigation 

Geotechnical engineers are crucial to the assessment and design of rockfall mitigation systems. They begin by evaluating the geological and topographical features of a site, identifying potential hazards, and determining the most effective type of mesh to use. This involves several steps: 

Conducting Site Assessments:

Identifying risks and understanding the conditions that could lead to rockfalls. 

 

Designing Mitigation Solutions:

Creating customized rockfall protection systems based on specific site characteristics. 

Collaboration:

Working with civil engineers, environmental scientists, and construction teams to ensure the successful implementation of protection measures.7

“Engineering consultants also need to be aware of considerations unique to particular locations, such as the fact that in North Carolina most roads are owned by the state or specific localities; there are no county-owned roads in the state,” notes Joe Stanton, the assistant director for recovery at North Carolina Emergency Management, part of the state’s Department of Public Safety.⁸  

This local insight is essential for geotechnical engineers when planning projects, as it influences how responsibilities and permissions are managed. Knowing the ownership structure helps engineers coordinate more effectively with the appropriate governing bodies, ensuring that mitigation measures — such as rockfall mesh along mountainous highways — align with jurisdictional requirements and facilitate smoother project approvals and implementations. 

Steve McGugan, North Carolina’s state hazard mitigation officer, adds, “Likewise, it can be important to understand the details of potential funding sources. For example, FEMA has a disaster relief program that primarily helps individual homeowners — but the program also sets aside 5% for so-called initiative projects that can be spent on public infrastructure work.”⁸ 

This knowledge is important for engineering consultants because understanding funding avenues can unlock opportunities for additional resources to enhance safety measures and long-term resilience in infrastructure projects. By leveraging such programs, engineers can propose and implement solutions that go beyond standard requirements, ensuring robust protection against natural hazards while maximizing public funds. 

Raising Awareness of the Profession 

Despite its importance, geotechnical engineering remains one of the lesser-known branches of civil engineering. Yet, the demand for skilled geotechnical engineers is on the rise, especially as we face the challenges posed by the nation’s degrading infrastructure, climate change, and natural disasters.³ 

What does it take to become a geotechnical engineer? A solid foundation in math and physics, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking skills are essential. Many professionals in this field hold degrees in civil or geological engineering and may pursue further specialization through certifications or graduate studies.³  

The perks of a career in geotechnical engineering are impressive: job stability, competitive salaries, and the chance to make a significant impact on public safety and environmental protection. With an average salary of around $79,340 annually for civil engineers, those with specialized training in geotechnical engineering can earn significantly more — making it an appealing career choice for aspiring engineers.³

The Importance of Going Beyond Code Requirements 

Geotechnical engineers face real-world challenges that require creative solutions (that’s where the critical thinking skills come in handy!), especially when dealing with seismic activity and thawing permafrost. During the Denali Fault earthquake in 2002, the frozen ground thawed and became susceptible to liquefaction, reshaping engineers’ approach to seismic projects. Geotechnical teams now often improve soil stability through methods like compaction grouting to prepare for potential earthquakes.⁴

Annalise Mannix, the division chief for planning at Miami-Dade County water and sewer, stresses that her department’s goal is not just to meet building codes but to exceed them. “We know the sea wall ordinance says you have to build the wall to 5 ft,” Mannix explains, “But that doesn’t mean ‘only’ 5 ft.” This mindset highlights a growing push among engineers and municipalities to build beyond minimum requirements, considering rising sea levels, increasing flood risks, and other evolving factors.⁸  

Consulting engineers are encouraged to advise their clients on the best solutions — even if these solutions extend beyond the minimum code requirements. For example, an experienced engineer “has a duty to note” the expected rise in sea levels and to consider wind and flood events based on the best available science. This approach ensures that public assets achieve or exceed their design lifespans, making for a better use of public funds.⁸ 

Natina Also Goes Beyond Expectations …  

When it comes to rockfall mitigation, we don’t just solve problems — we do it in style! Through collaboration with engineers, researchers and industry leaders, we help rockfall solutions blend seamlessly into the landscape, all thanks to our patented patina technology. 

And by shining a spotlight on the amazing work of geotechnical engineers, we hope to inspire the next generation to dive into this fascinating and rewarding field. Let’s build safer communities — and make them look good while we’re at it! 

Contact us today for expert guidance on planning your next construction project! 

 

Sources: 

1 Career Explorer — Geotechnical Engineer Career Overview
2 University of Delaware — Geotechnical Engineering Research Overview
3 Forbes — The In-Demand High-Pay Easy-Entry STEM Job You’ve Likely Never Heard Of
4 American Society of Civil Engineers — What Does It Take to Engineer Under Snow and Ice?
5 GeoStabilization International — Rockfall Mitigation: Wire Mesh Solutions
6 Federal Highway Administration — Context-Sensitive Rock Slope Design
7 GeoStabilization International — Rockfall Mitigation: Control Solutions
8 American Society of Civil Engineers — Engineers Help Prepare for Hurricane Season