Development of engineering geology in western United States

Abstract

Geologic concepts and scientific-technical guidance for the planning-design and construction of engineered works was recognized in Europe by the 1800s and by the early 1900s in North America. This early geologic knowledge and experience provided the rudimentary principles that guided practitioners of the 19th century in serving the emerging projects in western United States. Case studies review the scientific-technical lessons learned and the legacy of geologic principles established in the planning and construction of major civil, mining, and military engineered works in the western states. These contributions to GeoScience knowledge and engineering geology practice include:•Tunnels and aqueducts across active fault zones, beneath young volcanic features, groundwater-charged faults, and land subsidence mitigation.•Controversial foundation design, Folsom and Auburn dams, Golden Gate Bridge.•Protective underground construction chambers, safety dependent geologic setting.•Geologic mapping as database management leasing, maintenance railroad trackway.•Causeway Great Salt Lake, geo-risks calculated, mitigated ‘as-constructed’.•Nuclear powerplants seismic design.•Urban Land-Use, on-going processes, acceptable geo-risks.•Dwelling Insurance, insuree's responsibilities.•Selecting technique/method to mitigate risk, preferably based on extensive database, evaluation of characteristics and historical origin adverse features/conditions that constitute a geo-risk.