TGEP 49: Geohazard Monitoring and Mitigation in Geotechnical Engineering The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast

In this episode, we talk to Ben Haugen, Director of Business Development for Remote Sensing at GeoStabilization International, about geohazard monitoring and mitigation, how it benefits the community, and some of the things that engineers can do to prioritize the mitigation of geohazards.

Engineering Quotes:





Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Ben:



What is geohazards monitoring and mitigation, and why is it important in engineering?

What are some of the main causes of geohazards?

In what way does geohazard monitoring benefit the community?

What are some of the types of geospatial data that are collected, what collection techniques are used, and how important is it to accurately interpret these critical geospatial data monitors in at-risk areas?

How can analysis of natural hazards in real time provide a better understanding of risk and preparation for geohazard potentials?

What are some of the things that engineers can do to prioritize the mitigation of geohazards?

What advice would you like to give to our young engineers?



Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Geohazard Monitoring and Mitigation:





Geohazards are caused by geological features interacting with water, wind, and other natural processes. It causes the movement of slopes in the form of landslides and rockfalls. Monitoring and mitigating entail working with transport departments and private companies to find potential geohazards before they happen.

The largest triggering cause for most geologic hazards is water. Heavy rains in high fire zones can cause debris flows. With the absence of vegetation and the fires prohibiting the ground from absorbing water, high rainfall causes mudflows as it runs off these areas. In turn, a high water-absorbing soil area absorbs a lot of the water, which causes an increase in core pressure, weakens the slope, and causes a landslide. Freeze-thaw cycles can trigger an event by expanding cracks in rocks, which eventually causes rockfall.

Geohazard monitoring benefits a community by being able to detect where there is a geological movement with sensors and technologies. Sometimes detected small events will indicate that a bigger event will be happening soon. Plans can be made to prevent the larger event from occurring or ensure that the people close by will be kept safe from the event.

There are many ways that you can get geological data. Some of the commonly used ways are remote sensing by using cameras, lidar sensors, and satellite radar. Other technologies include robotic total stations, regular total stations, inclinometers, and piezometers.

Geohazard monitoring and mitigation are often dispatched because of an engineering project that will take place in an area, or someone has discovered a potential hazard. Data is collected so that the proper decisions can be made to mitigate the hazard or get people to safety.

Engineers can prioritize mitigating a geohazard by ensuring they have the correct information, characterizing the hazard, understanding the severity of the hazard, and adding on consequences and exposures. It is a risk equation that is developed across many industries and engineering disciplines. Ensure people know about the hazard and how it can affect them for some time to come. Considering all the factors together with the data collected allows you to rank the risk of the hazard.

Find and listen to mentors. Finding people who are willing and able to provide you with good advice will tremendously benefit your career. Keep an open mind toward others and remember there is no project that you will not need a team of people to be successful.



More Details in This Episode…

About the Guest: Ben Haugen

Ben leads GeoStabilization's efforts to drive customer awareness and project development in the rem...