Non-geotechnical

Relating to or concerned with areas of study or practice that do not involve the properties, behavior, or application of soil, rock, and other earth materials. This term distinguishes subjects from the field of geotechnical engineering, which focuses on the mechanical behavior of earth materials and how they interact with constructed works. It essentially describes anything that falls outside the scope of geotechnical principles, such as the design and construction of foundations, earthworks, and retaining structures, as well as the assessment of ground stability and hazard mitigation.

Non-geotechnical meaning with examples

• The project's budget allocation, marketing strategy, and legal considerations were all considered non-geotechnical aspects. They pertained to the business administration and economic side, far removed from the engineering problems. Therefore, they required separate teams with no specialized training in soil analysis or structural stability.
• Architectural renderings showcasing the building's aesthetics are a non-geotechnical deliverable. These images convey design style and functionality, but they do not assess ground conditions or foundation requirements. The geotechnical engineer is concerned with below ground elements; the architect, above-ground.
• A discussion about the impact of social media marketing on a construction company's reputation falls under non-geotechnical activities. The focus is on communication and image, not the soil properties or seismic activity, but would affect the project's profitability.
• A lecture on financial modeling, used to assess construction project investment returns, is inherently a non-geotechnical topic. This is the area of finance and accounting and does not consider any earth material. It deals in cash-flows not soil samples.
• Reviewing the site's environmental impact assessment report related to air and water quality is considered a non-geotechnical review aspect. Although the ground has impacts here, those impacts aren't core to geotechnical work, but about sustainability, not stability.