ELGIP: Geo-engineering in Europe With a long term commitment major European Research organizations in geo-engineering, each with a strong national position and working both in research, development and innovation, have joined forces since 2002 in ELGIP, the European Large Geo-engineering Institutes Platform. Its 12 members employ in total over 2000 professional research staff. Geo-engineering Geotechnical engineering is the application of the science of soil and rock mechanics, engineering geology and other related disciplines to civil engineering design and construction, and to the preservation and enhancement of the environment. Geo-engineering plays a key role in all civil engineering projects, since the built environment is based on or in the ground.