The need for Quaternary geological knowledge in geotechnical engineering

Engineering geology, like geotechnical engineering, is a new scientific subject in Denmark. Experience in the period since 1924 is laid down in the Danish Code of Practice for Foundation Engineering, which states that the geological conditions establish the foundation class and must be determined as early as possible during the soil investigations by experienced geologists and engineers. The consequences are illustrated by some examples from geotechnical investigations performed at the Danish Geotechnical Institute: • The economic foundation of a small wooden building on the brink of a postglacial lake and fiord basin at Vedbaek. • The deep excavation for and foundation of a huge commercial center at Lyngby situated in the middle of a tunnel valley with more than 12 m late- and postglacial organic deposits, based on design and control in the high foundation class. • The engineering geological modelling of the Quaternary development in the Danish North Sea. Applied geology plays an increasing part in geotechnical engineering as a prerequisite for economic and safe technical solutions. The future use of geological and geotechnical data bases will bring Quaternary geological knowledge into focus.