Geotechnical engineering is the application of the sciences of soil mechanics and rock mechanics in providing solutions to civil engineering problems for the preservation and enhancement of the environment. The role of geotechnical engineers is very widespread in the world because most of man’s activities are supported by structures that bear on the soil. Thus, from the construction of simple structures to megastructures such as highrise buildings, roads, airports, tunnels, dams, offshore oil and gas facilities, mining operations, etc, the geotechnical engineer has a role to play.
Failure of megastructures often has a connection to geotechnical (foundation) failure. This is often the case in Nigeria where there are large records of building failures which are often associated with improper soil investigation and foundation design. The blame game is often placed on the lack of standardization of geotechnical engineering practice in Nigeria. While Nigeria Institution of Geotechnical Engineers (NIGE) a professional body of geotechnical engineers in Nigeria with affiliation with the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) is working hard towards establishing a code of practice for geotechnical engineering in Nigeria, proper adoption of international codes of practice where applicable would save us a lot from these mishaps. Hence in this article, I want to present common codes for geotechnical engineering practice in the UK, Europe, and Nigeria.
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