Amusement Industry Geotechnics: The Ups and Downs of Roller Coasters, Ferris Wheels, and Zip Lines
Wooden coasters have existed for over a century, steel coasters about the same. For as long as coasters have been around, so have coaster enthusiasts, some of whom purport the concept of negative g�s....
Your Numerical Model Begins at the Site Investigation � Phase Improving the Suitability of Numerical Geotechnical Modeling
The success of an advanced geotechnical numerical analysis depends foremost on a thorough geologic and geotechnical understanding of the site, and thus the geometric definition and adequacy of input parameters...
Bob Koerner � A Retrospective of a Giant in Geosynthetics: Perspectives from Those Who Knew Him
This article is a compilation of thoughts about Koerner from five people who knew him in different ways. Each provides one or more unique remembrances that may not be well known about this giant of our...
IoT and Big Data in Geotechnical Construction: Connecting Drill Rigs to the Cloud
It�s almost impossible these days to escape the fervor and buzz surrounding technologies and concepts such as Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)....
Design of Shoreline Protection Measures : The Importance of Geotechnical Engineering in Waterfront Design
Over the past decade, there�s been an increased realization of the need to better protect our shorelines, particularly in urban environments along coastlines that have already been impacted by storm surge...
Beyond the Water�s Edge: Geotechnics in the Wet
Gaining insight into the subsurface and developing an understanding of what�s hidden below ground is a key to the design and construction process. Geotechnical engineers and geologists often develop their...
Building on Hudson Yards In Section: Megaproject Geotechnics: Can a Megaproject Be Big Enough to Change a Building Code?
As a young geotechnical consulting engineer working in New York City, I was always curious as to why the city?s building code prescribed a maximum allowable rock-socket skin-friction value of 200 psi for...
Risk in Geotechnical Practice: Geotechnical Judgment
People use judgment in every aspect of their lives. We rely on our judgments to make decisions that can have consequences from small to large on ourselves and on others, sometimes with life-threatening...
Advanced Data Analytics In Geotechnics: Adapting to the Big Data Era
Everyone is talking about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of work. In one camp are people like the industrialist Elon Musk who fear the potential evils of AI and its possible impact...
Multidisciplinary Course Addresses Tomorrow�s Smart Cities
Sean Qian, Ph.D., M.ASCE, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, teaches a multidisciplinary course that focuses on...
Poison Oak, Mistakes, and Lessons
When things go wrong in geotechnicalengineering ? like ground movements andearthwork construction delays ? failureinvestigations are often performed. In a typical geotechnical project, the path is relatively...
The Wait Is Over�DIGGS Is Here!
The roll-out of Data Interchange for Geotechnical and GeoEnvironmental Specialists (DIGGS) has started, and the Ohio DOT (ODOT) has already announced that it will be required beginning January 2018. This...
What's New in Geo? � Sustainable Biogeotechnics
Biogeotechnics will likely become part of mainstream geotechnical engineering in the future....
Geotechnical Risk Management: The Five Non-Technical Topics that are Crucial for the Successful Practice of Geotechnical Engineering
It is fair to state that the aspects of civil design and construction referred to as geotechnical engineering can be characterized as inherently risky. Geologic processes are complex,...
GeoTechTools � Your Ground Modification Website: Solutions for Improved Decision Making and Risk Mitigation
An immense web-based toolbox for the engineering and construction of earthworks is now available at
A Light in the Deep: The Future of Offshore Site Investigations
For deep-water energy developments, hazard identification and risk assessments (that is, assessing the probability of occurrence along with the consequences of failure) are more important...
Making Big Data Work for You and Your Project: A 3-D Geotechnical Model is a Smart Way to Work
Modeling the stratigraphy beneath a site and assigning soil and rock properties are important steps in geotechnical engineering. Geotechnical engineers often need to model ground conditions...
BIM in Geotechnics: The Benefits of Including Geotechnical Data in Building Information Modelling
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is becoming increasingly common around the world on building and civil engineering projects, but what are the benefits to geotechnical engineers and...
Screw Piles and Helical Anchors: 180 Years of Use in Geotechnical Engineering
Since 1836, screw piles and screw cylinders have been used successfully throughout the world to support a variety of large-scale, civil engineering structures. Their development and use...
Bill Shannon and Stan Wilson: Geotechnical Pioneers with a 60-Year Legacy
Starting a business today can pose an array of challenges�planning, financial, legal, and licensing among them. But at its core, a company's founders must be dedicated to...
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