department of geotechnics

Head of Department       



Asst. Prof. Ümit ÇALIK
General Information

The Department of Geotechnics is one of the divisions within the Civil Engineering Department. The Department of Geotechnics also features a fully equipped geotechnical laboratory. This laboratory is used for undergraduate and graduate studies as well as for conducting various laboratory tests within the scope of the revolving fund.


Geotechnics is a sub-specialty that examines soil behavior characteristics during construction phases. Geotechnical Engineering involves the safe and economical placement of all structures (buildings, bridges, dams, retaining structures, silos, roads, etc.) on or within soil environments. Conducting this study is essential before constructing any structure. A geotechnical engineer, who specializes in soil, prepares the soil and foundation study report for the site where the structure will be built before the design of the structure begins.

Research Areas
  • Determining the load that the foundation soil can safely bear in the design of structures
  • Identifying and evaluating the settlements that a structure's foundation may undergo over time under applied loads, according to permissible limits
  • Selecting and sizing the most suitable foundation type based on bearing capacity and settlement conditions
  • Determining the dimensions and slope angles of earth dams
  • Designing the foundations of bridge piers to be constructed in or near water
  • Determining the soil class to be used in the foundation layers of structures such as roads and airports, conducting compaction work, controlling compaction, and designing the foundation
  • Planning and executing deep excavations
  • Determining and planning appropriate improvement methods in soil stabilization. These are just a few of the numerous areas of study in geotechnical engineering.
Undergraduate Courses

Soil Mechanics-I / Soil Mechanics-II / Foundation Engineering

Engineering Geology / Construction Machinery /