Ground engineering is a specialist field that focuses on understanding and managing the physical behaviour of the Earth’s subsurface to support safe, stable, and cost-effective construction and exploration. It encompasses the assessment, design, and modification of the ground to accommodate engineering works — from large-scale infrastructure and energy developments to mining and environmental projects.
At its core, ground engineering bridges the gap between geology and engineering, translating complex subsurface data into practical insight. This includes evaluating rock and soil properties, identifying structural discontinuities, and assessing the mechanical and hydraulic behaviour of the ground under various conditions.
At Metatek, we work with our clients on geophysical evaluation which is an element of ground engineering. If you have an application and are looking for a geophysical partner, please contact our team today.
Ground engineering extends far beyond conventional site investigation. It integrates geotechnical analysis, geophysical survey data, and modelling techniques to build an accurate picture of subsurface conditions before design or construction begins.
Key objectives include:
This integrated approach allows engineers and scientists to anticipate challenges, refine project planning, and ensure long-term ground stability and performance.
Ground behaviour is influenced by numerous factors — lithology, structural features, groundwater conditions, and historical stress regimes. Effective ground engineering depends on the ability to define and model these variables accurately.
Geophysical methods play a critical role here, offering non-invasive means to investigate and image the subsurface. High-resolution datasets can identify variations in density, magnetism, resistivity, and elasticity, revealing the hidden architecture of the ground.
By combining these results with geological mapping and borehole data, it becomes possible to derive a detailed and quantitative understanding of the subsurface that guides engineering and exploration decisions alike.
Geophysical surveys are central to modern ground engineering, particularly when access or visibility is limited. Techniques such as gravity, magnetics, and magnetotellurics provide essential data on the subsurface’s physical properties and structural continuity.
At Metatek, our airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys are designed to deliver the precision and resolution needed for engineering and resource assessment. For example:
Each technique is selected and configured to suit the geological and logistical context of the project, ensuring the data collected supports accurate modelling and engineering analysis.
Metatek’s role within the ground engineering process lies in acquiring, processing, and interpreting high-quality geophysical data that define subsurface structure and physical properties with exceptional clarity.
Our team provides:
With decades of combined experience, Metatek’s specialists routinely work across complex geological settings — from frontier mineral provinces and hydrocarbon basins to environmentally sensitive and archaeologically significant sites. Our airborne and ground-based platforms enable efficient data acquisition even in remote or inaccessible terrain, while our full-service data processing and interpretation capability ensures the results are immediately usable within engineering design frameworks.
High-quality geophysical data allow engineers to make informed, defensible decisions. By constraining the geometry and properties of subsurface materials before intrusive work begins, geophysics can:
For major infrastructure, energy, and resource projects, this results in safer designs, optimised costs, and reduced project risk.
Ground engineering depends on robust subsurface characterisation — and that begins with the right data. Metatek’s integrated suite of airborne and ground geophysical technologies delivers a comprehensive understanding of geological structure, material properties, and engineering constraints.
By combining advanced survey methods with expert data analysis and interpretation, Metatek provides the clarity needed to design, construct, and operate safely and efficiently. Whether supporting early-stage feasibility studies or detailed project design, our goal is to ensure that every client benefits from the most accurate view of the ground possible.
To find out how ground engineering could support your project, please contact our team.
