Editing Geotechnical engineering (section)

=== Earthworks ===
[[Image:Seabees compactor roller.jpg|thumb|A [[compactor]]/[[road roller|roller]] operated by U.S. Navy Seabees]]

{{See also|Earthworks (engineering)}}Geotechnical engineers are also involved in the planning and execution of [[Earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]], which include ground improvement,<ref name="Han 2015" /> slope stabilization, and slope stability analysis. 

====Ground improvement====
Various geotechnical engineering methods can be used for ground improvement, including reinforcement [[geosynthetics]] such as geocells and geogrids, which disperse loads over a larger area, increasing the soil's load-bearing capacity. Through these methods, geotechnical engineers can reduce direct and long-term costs.<ref>{{cite book | title=Ground Improvement Technologies and Case Histories | publisher=Research Publishing Services | author=RAJU, V. R. | id=Ground Improvement – Principles And Applications In Asia | year=2010 | location=Singapore | pages=809 | isbn=978-981-08-3124-0}}</ref>

====Slope stabilization====
[[Image:Slopslump2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Simple slope slip section.]]
{{Main|Slope stability}}

Geotechnical engineers can analyze and improve slope stability using engineering methods. Slope stability is determined by the balance of [[shear stress]] and [[shear strength (soil)|shear strength]]. A previously stable slope may be initially affected by various factors, making it unstable. Nonetheless, geotechnical engineers can design and implement engineered slopes to increase stability.

=====Slope stability analysis=====
{{Main|Slope stability analysis}}

Stability analysis is needed to design engineered slopes and estimate the risk of slope failure in natural or designed slopes by determining the conditions under which the topmost mass of soil will slip relative to the base of soil and lead to slope failure.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pariseau|first=William G.|title=Design analysis in rock mechanics|year=2011|publisher=CRC Press}}</ref> If the interface between the mass and the base of a slope has a complex geometry, slope stability analysis is difficult and [[Numerical analysis|numerical solution]] methods are required.  Typically, the interface's exact geometry is unknown, and a simplified interface geometry is assumed.  Finite slopes require three-dimensional models to be analyzed, so most slopes are analyzed assuming that they are infinitely wide and can be represented by two-dimensional models.