CEE 200 Seminar: New Technologies in the Practice of Geotechnical Engineering

November 12, 2019, 1-2 pm, Young Hall CS76

Abstract: The practice of geotechnical engineering has been transformed in recent years, both in the office and in the field.

Improvements in computing power, coupled with research advances coming from academia, have enabled incredibly sophisticated analyses that were completely impractical only years ago.

3D modeling of subsurface conditions and landslides, liquefaction triggering, and non-ergodic seismic hazard analyses have all made the jump from paper to practice in the past decade. Simultaneously, advances in autonomous devices, robotics, and unmanned aerial systems will revolutionize field activities and testing.

Site surveys that had taken hours or days to perform via handheld GPS in years past are now performed in minutes via remotely operated drones.

Intelligent robotic earthmoving equipment, combined with remotely operable soil moisture/density gauges, promise to increase field observation productivity, quality, and safety in the near future.

Speakers:

Uri Eliahu, GE

President, Engeo, ueliahu@engeo.com

Bahareh Heidarzadeh, PhD, PE

Senior Engineer, Engeo, bheidarzadeh@engeo.com