The Birth of Geotechnical Engineering: From Pyramid Foundations to Mine Slope Stability

For those of us working in the mining industry, geotechnical engineering is our daily language. But have we ever wondered… how did this field actually begin?

Here’s the full story.

1. Pre-Scientific Era: Relying on Instinct and Experience

Thousands of years ago, humans were already building massive structures. The Egyptian pyramids (around 2500 BC) stand firm on sand and sedimentary rock. Roman structures such as the Colosseum and aqueducts are also impressive in their foundations. However, back then everything was based on experience; there was no soil mechanics theory.

They observed soil behavior empirically:

• If a foundation settled excessively, they moved to another location.
• If the soil was too soft, they filled and compacted repeatedly until it felt stable.

2. 18th–19th Century: The Rise of Material Mechanics (Except Soil)

The Industrial Revolution advanced the mechanics of materials like: steel, concrete, and timber. But soil was still seen as a passive medium to bear loads. Many foundation failures occurred because soil behavior was not understood, such as the Dee Bridge collapse (1847) in England, which failed due to soil issues under its piers.

3. 1925: Karl Terzaghi, Father of Modern Soil Mechanics

This was the turning point in geotechnical history. Karl Terzaghi, an Austrian engineer, published “Erdbaumechanik” (1925), declaring that soil has complex physical and mechanical behavior unlike concrete or steel, and requires a special branch of engineering.

His revolutionary concepts:

• Effective stress
• Consolidation of saturated soils
• Shear strength of soils

From then on, soil mechanics was officially born as the foundation of modern geotechnical engineering.

4. Post-WWII: Rapid Development of Geotechnical Engineering

The post-war construction boom demanded accurate soil calculations. New theories and field/lab testing methods emerged, such as:

• Bearing capacity theory by Terzaghi and Meyerhof
• Slope stability analysis by Taylor and Bishop
• Pile foundation analysis for construction on soft soils

Geotechnical engineering became a core discipline in civil engineering.

5. Geotechnics in the Mining Industry: Safety, Efficiency, Sustainability

In mining, geotechnical engineering is the backbone of operational safety and efficiency. Its applications include:

✅ Slope stability analysis to ensure open pit walls remain safe from failure.
✅ Pit dewatering to keep slopes dry and stable.
✅ Ground reinforcement such as shotcrete and rock bolts in underground mines to prevent roof falls.
✅ Mine haul road design over soft ground conditions.

Conclusion

From the instincts of ancient Egyptian engineers to today’s 3D FEM pit slope models, geotechnical engineering has evolved with human needs.

Under every haul road, crusher foundation, ramp, or pit slope lies geotechnical knowledge ensuring the safety and productivity of our mining operations.

References:

• Budhu, M. (2011). Soil Mechanics and Foundations.
• Das, B. M. (2015). Principles of Geotechnical Engineering.
• Terzaghi, K. (1925). Erdbaumechanik auf Bodenphysikalischer Grundlage.
• Duncan, J.M. & Wright, S.G. (2005). Soil Strength and Slope Stability.