Geotechnical Engineering often begins near the 'starting point of many types of civil engineering projects. Everything that is constructed on the Earth (and beyond) must somehow be connected to the ground securely. Different types of ground exist. Some types are competent, dense, and strong. Others are soft, compressible, and unstable. The challenge of the civil/geotechnical engineer is to determine how the ground will react to the new loadings of a given structure, how much soil/rock movement can be anticipated, and how to construct the facility, all while considering the safety, health, and welfare of the public not only after construction, but also during the critical times during construction for the contractors and other involved. Geotechnical engineering relates to nearly all other types of civil engineering (where the ground is involved). With that, we may find ourselves working on pipelines, culverts, water and transmission towers, buildings, tunnels, factories, power plants, roads, bridges, dams, wastewater treatment plants, and other facilities.