Engineering
Geology Section
The Engineering Geology Section is
comprised of three technical units that focus on engineering
geology designs, unstable slope management, and field
exploration. The
section is staffed by highly trained and experienced
engineering geologists, transportation
engineers and engineering technicians.
Unstable Slope
Management Unit
 The
Unstable Slope Management Unit is responsible for the
technical support of the P3 Unstable Slope Program of
WSDOT’s Construction Program. These responsibilities include the management of over
2600 known unstable slopes statewide, developing geotechnical
conceptual designs for slope stabilization and mitigation,
cost estimating for unstable slopes projects, and completing a
cost/benefit analyses for those projects.
A prioritized list of unstable slopes (based on
benefit-cost) is developed for the Headquarters Office of
Program Management each biennium for their use in developing
the biennial P3 Unstable Slope Program.
The unit is also responsible for the database
management of the Unstable Slope Management System (USMS)
These responsibilities and activities
support the Maintenance Supervisors, Materials Engineers and
Program Managers in WSDOT’s six Regions, as well as the
Headquarters Office of Program Management, and the Engineering
Geology Design and Construction Unit.
Unstable
Slope Management System
Field Exploration Unit
The
Field Exploration Unit is responsible for the acquisition of
surface and subsurface geotechnical data
statewide. This
includes reconnaissance of each project site, the advancing of
geotechnical test led to conduct institution field testing,
obtaining disturbed and undisturbed soil samples, high quality
rock cores, and field classification of materials and test
hole  logging. Specialized
in-hole tests such as vane shear test, falling/rising
and electronic cone tests are conducted when required.
The
Field Exploration Unit prides itself in difficult access
geotechnical field investigations.
This may require, for example, test hole drilling
and sampling on steep hillsides, in the middle of a major
interstate highway, on a bridge
pier on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, or from a barge in Puget
Sound.
 These field
exploration activities directly supports the geotechnical
design work being performed by the Foundation Engineering and
Engineering Geology Sections of the Geotechnical Services
Division for the designs of bridge foundations, retaining
walls, marine facilities, building foundations, rock slope
designs, rock fall mitigation, landslide stabilizations,
centerline cuts and fills, and materials source investigations
(pits and quarries).
Geotechnical
Field Exploration Drilling Equipment
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