BigH
Geotechnical
- Dec 1, 2002
- 6,012
Geotechnical engineers – ones that I have known - are a bunch of characters – not only in the technical sense but in having a bit of fun with and in our practice as well. How many other types of engineers have had the fun of living in a tent at 40degrees on an ice flow in the arctic for an LNG port facility soil investigation followed the next week with an investigation for a tailings dam at the equator. We all have stories and experiences that most other engineers do not have.
We know that geotechnical engineering isn’t just cut and dry equations but is based on an art in bringing our experiences and those of others to shape our outlook - to temper our judgment in developing appropriate and cost effective solutions to foundation and earthworks problems – real problems not just text book examples.
The purpose of this group is to provide an open forum for select internationally experienced engineers to present, discuss, chat about their experiences and topics and to seek out assistance from a group that has gained the respect of their peers in the public forums – knowing that their peers will help address some very specific questions that might be posed. Further, the forum will give us a chance to explore/to discuss serious questions and issues that confront us and our profession.
Further it is a site that one hopes might bring a few of us together from time to time to prepare FAQs for Eng-Tips but also papers and discussions for technical journals and other engineering publications. The geotechnical engineers of the Eng-Tips site are well positioned by experience and knowledge to do this and impart experience and wisdom to the geotechnical engineering profession as a whole.
Oh, but geotechnical engineers are somewhat broader, eh? Let’s not forget other interests – Michigan vs Ohio State; the comparison of Bill Russell vs Shaq O’Neil; or perhaps, Miles Davis vs Crosby Stills and Nash (pre-Young). Maybe cameras; maybe cooking.
Look on this site as ours without some of the encumbrances that might exist in the public forums. Remember that assistance obtained is only that and that each of us has the ultimate responsibility of using it or not and would be solely responsible for its use. Our colleagues are there to help but accept no responsibility.
I hope to keep this a free and open forum that we can all enjoy.
We know that geotechnical engineering isn’t just cut and dry equations but is based on an art in bringing our experiences and those of others to shape our outlook - to temper our judgment in developing appropriate and cost effective solutions to foundation and earthworks problems – real problems not just text book examples.
The purpose of this group is to provide an open forum for select internationally experienced engineers to present, discuss, chat about their experiences and topics and to seek out assistance from a group that has gained the respect of their peers in the public forums – knowing that their peers will help address some very specific questions that might be posed. Further, the forum will give us a chance to explore/to discuss serious questions and issues that confront us and our profession.
Further it is a site that one hopes might bring a few of us together from time to time to prepare FAQs for Eng-Tips but also papers and discussions for technical journals and other engineering publications. The geotechnical engineers of the Eng-Tips site are well positioned by experience and knowledge to do this and impart experience and wisdom to the geotechnical engineering profession as a whole.
Oh, but geotechnical engineers are somewhat broader, eh? Let’s not forget other interests – Michigan vs Ohio State; the comparison of Bill Russell vs Shaq O’Neil; or perhaps, Miles Davis vs Crosby Stills and Nash (pre-Young). Maybe cameras; maybe cooking.
Look on this site as ours without some of the encumbrances that might exist in the public forums. Remember that assistance obtained is only that and that each of us has the ultimate responsibility of using it or not and would be solely responsible for its use. Our colleagues are there to help but accept no responsibility.
I hope to keep this a free and open forum that we can all enjoy.
