Engineering Geology: A Foundation for Successful Projects
Engineering geology plays a critical role in project planning, feasibility assessment, concept design and early‑stage risk management. It provides the geological insight needed to make informed decisions long before detailed geotechnical investigations or engineering design begins.
By analysing a site’s geology and geomorphology, engineering geology helps identify potential geohazards—such as landslides, rock falls, sinkholes, flooding and erosion—and guides targeted geotechnical investigation and design.
Geological factors that influence project risk include:
By analysing a site’s geology and geomorphology, engineering geology helps identify potential geohazards—such as landslides, rock falls, sinkholes, flooding and erosion—and guides targeted geotechnical investigation and design.
Geological factors that influence project risk include:
- Soil and rock types that affect investigation, design and construction costs
- Depositional environments that create soft soils or influence site placement
- Hard rock conditions that dictate excavation methods and equipment
- Terrain and geomorphology that inform road or infrastructure alignment and geohazard risk
- Coastal and fluvial processes that affect erosion, asset management and long‑term planning
- Structural features—faults, shears, joints and geological contacts—that can trigger slope or cliff instability
- Early site suitability assessments for optimal project location
- Access to local construction materials based on geological setting
- Rapid assessment of construction materials and quarry resources, including block size and volume estimates
Landslip Risk Assessments
Landslips occur in all shapes and sizes, from large scale debris and mud flows to slow moving soil creep, from shallow collapse of exposed cuttings to large rock fall from high, steep cliffs. Landslip Risk Assessments are a regulatory requirement for many local government areas when applying for a planning permit and some part of the property is covered by an Erosion Management Overlay (EMO) under the Victorian Planning Scheme. If you need to determine if your property is affected by an EMO, please contact your local Council for advice.
Landslip Risk Assessments investigate the likelihood, frequency and impact that a landslide or potential landslide may have on a proposed development. Our Chartered Engineering Geologists, use their knowledge and experience to investigate sites deemed at risk to provide a hazard analysis for town planning applications. We take a collaborative approach, working with both local Councils and clients from beginning to completion of projects.
Landslip Risk Assessments include:
Landslip Risk Assessments investigate the likelihood, frequency and impact that a landslide or potential landslide may have on a proposed development. Our Chartered Engineering Geologists, use their knowledge and experience to investigate sites deemed at risk to provide a hazard analysis for town planning applications. We take a collaborative approach, working with both local Councils and clients from beginning to completion of projects.
Landslip Risk Assessments include:
- In-depth desktop review of site including geology, topography, hydrogeology, and any existing geotechnical information
- On-site investigations of physical site features, geomorphic processes, and associated process rates
- Geotechnical mapping of site, including cross sections
- Determination of subsurface profile through the assessment of exposed cuttings and/or boreholes or test pits.
- Groundwater studies, where required
- Landslide characterisation
- Hazard assessment based on landslide behaviours in similar conditions in the locality
- Frequency analysis
- Consequence analysis
- Risk assessment of risk to life and property
- Recommendations for risk management and solutions for reducing and managing risk
- All relevant geotechnical information to inform engineering design
Geotechnical Investigations
Geotechnical investigations assess the engineering behaviour of soil and rock—going well beyond standard soil tests. Our engineering geologists apply their expertise to evaluate ground conditions, identify risks and provide reliable data for efficient, cost‑effective engineering design.
At McClellands, we integrate engineering geology with geotechnical investigation to ensure a complete understanding of site conditions. Our process begins with desktop studies covering background geology, hydrogeology, topography, land‑use history, geohazards and past geotechnical work.
Field investigations include surveying key surface features, detailed geological and geomorphological mapping, and assessing on‑site soil and rock conditions. Subsurface exploration—such as drilling, test pits and core logging—allows us to build accurate geological and geotechnical models that support structural and geotechnical design.
At McClellands, we integrate engineering geology with geotechnical investigation to ensure a complete understanding of site conditions. Our process begins with desktop studies covering background geology, hydrogeology, topography, land‑use history, geohazards and past geotechnical work.
Field investigations include surveying key surface features, detailed geological and geomorphological mapping, and assessing on‑site soil and rock conditions. Subsurface exploration—such as drilling, test pits and core logging—allows us to build accurate geological and geotechnical models that support structural and geotechnical design.
Our Investigations May Include:
McClellands can conduct geotechnical investigations for many different applications
- Geological, geomorphological and hazard mapping
- Subsurface drilling and geotechnical soil/rock logging
- In‑situ testing and soil profiling
- Sampling and laboratory testing
- Geophysical investigations
- Soil and rock parameter assessment for design
- Structural mapping and kinematic analysis
- Landslip and geohazard assessment
- Rock fall analysis
- Geological cross‑sections and geological models
- Hydrological and groundwater analysis
- Slope stability analysis
McClellands can conduct geotechnical investigations for many different applications
Geotechnical Assessments for Quarries and Extractive Industry Projects
Proposed quarries, quarry expansions and extractive industry projects in Victoria require an approved Work Plan under the MRSDA Act (1990). Many projects must also provide a Geotechnical Assessment in line with the Earth Resources Regulation (ERR) guideline: “Geotechnical guideline for terminal and rehabilitated slopes, Extractive Industry Projects, September 2020.”
McClellands supplies both Competent Person letters and Geotechnical Assessment reports that meet all ERR requirements.
A Geotechnical Assessment supports quarry planning and risk management and may form part of a Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP), helping operators meet State and Local Government obligations.
Our assessments evaluate key geotechnical considerations, including slope stability, slope geometry, rock and soil properties, proximity to infrastructure, surcharge loads, dams, waste dumps, voids and sensitive receptors. We also consider slope performance history, groundwater, hydrology, failure mechanisms, seismic history, blast impacts, erosion and rock fall risk.
McClellands supplies both Competent Person letters and Geotechnical Assessment reports that meet all ERR requirements.
A Geotechnical Assessment supports quarry planning and risk management and may form part of a Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP), helping operators meet State and Local Government obligations.
Our assessments evaluate key geotechnical considerations, including slope stability, slope geometry, rock and soil properties, proximity to infrastructure, surcharge loads, dams, waste dumps, voids and sensitive receptors. We also consider slope performance history, groundwater, hydrology, failure mechanisms, seismic history, blast impacts, erosion and rock fall risk.
Our Geotechnical Assessments Include:
- Comprehensive desktop review: geology, geological history, topography, landforms, hydrogeology, landslide history, rainfall and seismic history, and previous geotechnical data
- On‑site assessment of physical site features, geomorphic processes and erosion rates
- Detailed geotechnical and geological mapping
- Analysis of local geology from quarry exposures, outcrops and subsurface data
- Sampling and laboratory testing of soil and rock properties
- Groundwater studies (where required)
- Rock mass classification, kinematic assessment and structural analysis
- Slope stability and sensitivity analysis for safe batter design
- Interpretation of geological, structural, rock mass, hydrogeological and geotechnical models
- Practical recommendations for risk mitigation, slope stability and pit design
For quotes, bookings or to discuss the assessment needs on your site or project, please call 03 5333 3030 during business hours, email [email protected] or Contact Us