Geology provides knowledge about the site used in the construction of buildings, dams, tunnels, tanks, reservoirs, highways and bridges. Geology helps to identify area susceptible to failures due to geological hazards such as earthquake, landslides, weathering effects, etc. Also constructing the building on a suitable ground in construction is an essential issue in creating safe buildings and safe residential areas. Therefore, it is vital to consider the geological and geotechnical features in the preparation of the building project in accordance with the ground. Geology Engineer Özgür F. Çümen states that before starting the construction process of any building, it is necessary to work together with the science of geology, even while its construction is in progress and when the construction is finished.
Can we get to know you first? What do you do?
I am Özgür Fatih Çümen I was born in Erzincan in 1990. I graduated from Süleyman Demirel University, Geological Engineering in 2014. Since about 2015, I have been taking part in ongoing engineering projects in different locations in Turkey. I mostly continue my business career in tunnel projects and now I continue in this sector.
Geological science is a field that is connected with many branches of engineering, especially civil engineering. So what is construction geology, how can we define it?
As you stated in your statement, the science of geology is a branch of science that appeals to a wide range of fields that interact with many disciplines. Geology is the basis of many engineering studies, from mining sector to energy resources, from construction to industry, according to their fields of study. The construction sector is an important sector that supports development in the appreciation of national economies. Engineering structures continue to increase day by day with large and small projects. Before the engineering structures planned to be built, the main criterion is what happens in the construction environment (areas) as well as the construction? what will happen next? The answer to such questions is the science of geology.
What role does geology play in construction?
Geology is the source of natural environments that affect the behavior of an engineering structure in the construction environment. The science of geology distinguishes whether these environments are natural or artificial, and firstly defines the natural environment as water, soil, ground and rock. On the other hand, the artificial environment is the filling, geology mostly investigates the interaction of the expressions in the natural environment with the engineering structure and expresses it numerically by interpreting it with the necessary experiments and observations. The value expressed gives us the definition of construction geology. In geology, we call it engineering geology. Before starting the construction of any engineering structure, it continues by working together with the science of geology, even while its construction is ongoing and when its construction is finished.
Where and how are rocks used in the construction site?
We use rocks as a building element in construction, in different areas of various structures such as marble, granite, etc. Sometimes, the rocks are used as a solid rock in the foundations of the engineering structure, and if they are weak, they are used for their safe support.
As a geological engineer, you work in the construction industry, what kind of problems do you encounter in this field, is it given enough attention?
Yes, I am in the construction industry as a geological engineer. The sector I am in is made for transportation purposes as tunnel construction. I continue to work for safer transportation in a shorter time and economically. We are underground, we are constantly working to support the construction phases of the interaction with the rock, one of the natural environments I mentioned above, as soon as possible. Since we are making progress with more excavation, we are trying to do this how we can make the progress that may affect the excavation in the safest and fastest way. We try to solve the problems that cause our tunnel excavation to slow down, such as excavation in weak soils, dent status, rock weakness, rock solidity, water condition, ventilation, gas etc.
Özgür F. Çümen
Geology Engineer
Writer: Sibel MAZREK
