Category: General

60th Anniversary of International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG)

Posted:

2024 marks the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG) and as part of the celebrations the AGS wish to commemorate this by the issue of a Special Publication of Australian Geomechanics in September 2024 titled “Australian Engineering Geology – State of the Practice”.

Suggested themes include the following :

  • Resilience against climate change, natural disasters and geological hazards.
  • Engineering geology for tunnelling and underground space.
  • Ground characterization for Australian conditions, e.g. duricrusts, expansive soils and carbonates.
  • The role of engineering geology in a sustainable future – renewable energy and water security.
  • Digital engineering geology.
  • Construction materials – identification, investigation and exploitation.
  • Growing the body of knowledge of engineering geology in Australia –  education and competence.
  • Ground investigation and measurement.
  • Engineering geological ground models.
  • Communication of geological matters to stakeholders.
  • Interesting case studies highlighting the importance of engineering geology to the practice of geotechnical engineering in Australia.

This Special Publication also provides the opportunities to :

  • Document the present state of practice of Engineering Geology in ANZ
  • Raising the status of the importance of Engineering Geology in ANZ, but especially in the Australian construction/mining related industries
  • The societal importance of Engineering Geology to the future 
  • Heightening the lack of Australian academic courses providing teaching/training in Engineering Geology
  • Raising the need for the current and additional Engineering Geology based training courses offered by the AGS
  • Raising the concern for the lack of registration for Engineering Geologists in the infrastructure industry especially with the RPE state legislation policies now coming into effect in Australia

Papers submitted for consideration in this Special Edition should be submitted via Scholastica no later than 29 February 2024. Early submissions are encouraged. 

For further guidance on the preparation of papers, editorial policy and how to submit a paper, please refer to the Australian Geomechanics Journal webpage.

If you are unsure whether your paper is suitable for publication in this special edition, then please submit a 300 word abstract via Scholastica for consideration.

AGS encourage submissions from the geotechnical profession, other geoscience practitioners, the quarry industry, as well as academia, from ANZ and from International submissions.

If there a large number of papers then two volumes of the Special Publication may be issued

Position of Editor of Australian Geomechanics

Posted:

The National Committee of the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) invites expressions of interest from individuals interested in taking on the Editor role of our quarterly journal, Australian Geomechanics. The position would suit an experienced (Senior or Principal) geotechnical professional who is retired, on the cusp of retirement or works part-time. However, anyone with the requisite ability and the opportunity
to devote the necessary time to the position is encouraged to apply. Applications open 1st September 2023.

The journal is published quarterly – in March, June, September and December. Generally, the deadline for receiving final content is the 5th day of the month prior to publication and putting together the issue, with the direct support of a graphic designer, takes up to 2 weeks. The average effort is approximately 4- 5 hours / week, but varies from week to week depending upon the timing of the journal production cycle and the timing of submissions received.

Full training will be provided, and a modest stipend applies to the role.

General responsibilities of the Editor role include:

  • Managing article peer review and editing of articles. Australian Geomechanics uses the Scholastica journal peer review management system.
  • Resolving problems that arise from time to time, such as plagiarism and ensuring articles are original and have not been previously published.
  • Minor final formatting of papers to be print- ready, and proof reading of other content for the journal. Applicants should have a good eye for detail and experience in writing, editing, and proof reading.
  • Liaison with AGS Chapters, Secretariat, Vice-Presidents (or liaisons) of international societies (ISSMGE, ISRM and IAEG) and Executive for content other than articles to be included in the journal.
  • Content registration (DOI and associated metadata of articles) in Crossref.
  • Liaison with Advertisement Coordinator for advertisement matters.
  • Contributing to strategic development of the Journal.
  • Attracting submissions and themed issue proposals to the Journal to ensure continued relevance and quality of content. Themed issues normally have a champion (guest editor), but standard peer-review process and requirements are applicable.
  • Maintaining regular communication with the AGS Executive.
  • Prepare reports and attend meetings of the AGS National Committee.

Interested applicants should send a short CV and a statement outlining their interest in seeking the position of Editor of Australian Geomechanics, and their overall objectives for the role. Ideally, applications should explicitly address the individual’s aims and vision for Australian Geomechanics, suggested steps to be taken to sustain the pool of high-quality papers, and the expansion of the readership of the journal.

The AGS is seeking an initial term for the role of three years. The AGS is also seeking to fill the position of Assistant Editor/s to provide support with the tasks.

Enquiries regarding what the position entails can be addressed to the Interim Editor, Hugo Acosta- Martinez ([email protected]).

EOI applications should be sent to Jon Gibbs, AGS Secretary ([email protected]).

The process will remain open until a suitable candidate is appointed.

Geo-Conversations

Posted:

The AGS Sydney Chapters has hosted a number of roundtable Geo-Conversations.

These events have been recorded in Clubhouse and members are encouraged to listen to the discussions.

A report has also been provided for the most recent discussion, ‘Chat GPT and Geotechnical Engineering Practice: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges in the AI Era’.

More information can be found on the Geo-Conversations page.

Austroads Technical Specifications (ATS) Newsletter

Posted:

The most recent Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) newsletter, which is a regular update on the implementation of the Austroads Technical Specifications (ATS) into the Victorian transport infrastructure sector, can be read online.

The newsletter includes a recap of the recent webinar, which can be viewed here:

Practice standard for professional engineers in NSW

Posted:

Additional obligation for specific areas of engineering

As you may have seen in last weeks edition of EngNews (Aug 1), Engineers Australia is requesting members provide feedback on a proposed Practice Standard for Professional Engineers in NSW (see attached) either directly to the NSW Government or to EA itself. Also, see the Regulatory Impact Statement.

The new Practice Standard for Professional Engineers is binding on NSW engineers as a condition of registration. Engineers Australia believes some of the obligations contained within magnify jurisdictional inconsistencies and will make it more difficult for NSW engineers to work across different states and territories. Engineers Australia was part of the working group which advised the NSW Government on the Practice Standard and despite our input, the Practice Standard continues to confuse the roles of individual engineers and their employers, assumes individual engineers rather than businesses enter into contracts and purchase insurance, and assumes all engineering work is done by consulting engineers.

Within the standard, there is a section for additional obligations for specific registrations and specific engineering work.

This affects engineers registered in the following areas in NSW:

  • Professional Engineer–Electrical
  • Professional Engineer–Fire Safety
  • Professional Engineering–Geotechnical
  • Professional Engineer–Mechanical
  • Professional Engineer–Structural

Professional Engineer–Civil does not have specific additional obligations set in the proposed Practice Standard.

As this section of the document is highly specific and technical, we are looking for our technical colleges to let us know if any of the obligations contained within these sections are too onerous or unrealistic on engineers as a condition of their registration. 

Please reply to EA via [email protected] or send a submission directly to the NSW Government, outlining any obligations within the document that you may find are unrealistic on engineers in your specific area of expertise.

ASHTAS training courses now available

Posted:

The Austroads Safety Hardware Training and Accreditation Scheme (ASHTAS) will become mandatory in Victoria from 01 July 2024, for installers, maintainers and repairers of Wire Rope Safety Barriers, Guard Fence Barriers and their associated terminals.

The ASHTAS is a comprehensive scheme, that will eventually contain various courses and accreditation types – including Operative, Installer, Lead Installer, Inspector and Designer. This scheme has been implemented to ensure that individuals in the workforce have a thorough understanding of how to properly design, install, and maintain road safety barriers in accordance with established standards, manufacturer’s specifications, and best practices – Because incorrect barrier installation practices can increase the risk of fatalities in collisions beyond what would be considered reasonable.

While the ASHTAS courses and accreditation types will be rolled-out over several years, the ‘Operative Course’ is currently available and the ‘Installer Course’ will be available soon for ‘Wire Rope Safety Barriers’, ‘Guard Fence Barriers’ and their associated terminals. We will let industry know when more courses are made available, noting that the ‘Operative Course’ is a pre-requisite for all future installer courses (such as permanent concrete, temporary concrete and temporary plastic), inspector courses and designer courses. 

Who needs to be licensed – by 01 July 2024?

All individuals ‘installing’ and ‘maintaining / repairing’ a Wire Rope Safety Barrier, a Guard Fence Barrier, or an associated WRSB or Guard Fence terminal, must be licenced by 01 July 2024.  Based on the ASHATS description of an installation ‘crew’, this means that all associated individuals will need to complete the ‘Operative Course’, and some individuals will need to complete the relevant ‘Installer Courses’. 

However, given that the ‘Operative Course’ is a pre-requisite for all other ASHTAS courses, we recommended that individuals in other roles and installing other barrier types, also complete the operative course in preparation, and to understand the scheme & build their basic road safety barrier knowledge – this includes other barrier installers, road designers, development engineers and delivery engineers.

As mentioned, we will keep industry informed on when these courses are available and when ASHTAS will become mandatory for other barrier types and roles. 

Why you need to be licensed ?

Austroads members (inc. the Department of Transport and Planning), along with the road safety barrier industry, have been concerned about the quality of installation of road safety barriers which may put the safety of the public and road workers at risk.

To address this issue, Austroads worked with Australian State and Territory Road transport agencies and New Zealand along with the industry to introduce a nationally consistent training and ongoing accreditation program to ensure that all installers and operatives in the workforce understand how to install, repair, and maintain road safety barriers correctly following the manufacturer’s specifications and best practices.

How do you get accredited/licenced? 

The following training courses coming up in Vic: ASHTAS Operative Course – Safe System Solutions

You can also book an in-house training and testing session by contacting the training provider: 

Book In-House Training coursesclick here

More info on the scheme: 

Austroads Website: Safety Hardware Training and Accreditation Scheme (ASHTAS) | Austroads

Approved RTOs: https://www.lantra.co.uk/national-highway-sector-schemes-nhss/austroads/approved-training-providers

How to stay informed 

All official communications and Technical documents regarding ASTHAS will be conveniently channelled through the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) Standards Newsletter, which is distributed during the first week of every month. To ensure you receive all updates and information regarding ASTHAS, we kindly encourage you to subscribe to the newsletter by clicking on the following link, if you haven’t done so already.

Updated Standard Specifications 

Standard Section 708 Steel Beam Guard Fence & 

Standard Section 711 Wire Rope Safety Barrier (WRSB)

Safer Tailings Dams Workshop

Posted:

NGI will host a three-day workshop between 12-14 September 2023 on “Safer tailings dams”.

The venue is the National Library Deichman in the centre of Oslo, Norway, and the workshop can also be attended online.

Distinguished scientists from universities, engineering practice, mining companies, and the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) will deliver talks and share their experience during the workshop.

For more details, please visit the website.

Dr. David Och – Assessment of International Geological Surveys and their open-data sources

Posted:

Dr. David Och, a long-standing AGS member and recent Churchill Fellowship recipient, has published his report regarding his assessment of International Geological Surveys and their open-data sources. The report can be accessed from the Churchill Fellows Association of NSW.

Proceedings from the 20th ICSMGE and 7th iYGEC conferences

Posted:

The Proceedings from the 20th ICSMGE and 7th iYGEC conferences that were held in Sydney 2022 are now freely available as “open access” documents on the ISSMGE website.

ISSMGE is pleased to announce that through the initiative of Profs. Mark Jaksa and Mizanur Rahman, Editors of 20ICSMGE, the 905 papers from the proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (20ICSMGE) are available in the ISSMGE Online Library.

20ICSMGE was held in Sydney, 1-5 May 2022.

In the Online Library, you may also find the 109 papers from the proceedings of the 7th International Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference (7iYGEC) which was held a few days before 20ICMGE, from 29 April to 1 May 2022.

Detailed acknowledgements for both 20ICSMGE and 7iYGEC can be found at the ISSMGE online library acknowledgements section.

Call for Abstracts, 5th ICTG-Sydney

Posted:

Call for Abstracts, 5th ICTG-Sydney

20-22 November 2024, Sydney Masonic Centre.

Due to many requests, the deadline for abstract submission has been extended until 15 July 2023.

On behalf of the 5th ICTG Organising Committee, we appreciate the support from the Australian Geomechanics Society as the co-host of 5th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics, hosted by 3 Technical Committees of ISSMGE, TC202 (Transportation Geotechnics), TC211 (Ground Improvement) and TC307 (Sustainability in Geotechnical Engineering), and the UTS Transport Research Centre (UTS-TRC) to be held in Sydney, 20-22 November, 2024.

Sponsorship and Exhibition Opportunities are now available on the website too.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to the participation of more AGS members at the 5th ICTG.

Abstracts submissions

The Conference will aim at promoting concepts and applications predominantly in the fields of sustainable transport infrastructure design, associated ground improvement and natural hazards mitigation. This major event will act as a platform to disseminate the most recent research and field advances to the geotechnical community around the globe through active pathways of academia and practice. Outstanding Keynote lectures, State of the Art and State of Practice Lectures, ISSMGE Bright spark lectures and Australian Heritage Oration, together with brain-storming technical discussions will highlight three days of scientific and technical discourse, followed by attractive excursions encompassing the awesome natural landscape of the state of New South Wales (NSW).

Abstract Themes: The themes of the Conference include all design, analysis, construction, maintenance, site investigations and field monitoring aspects of pavements, highways, railways and ports, including related ground Improvement methods and sustainability perspectives of current and future transportation infrastructure.

Sponsorship and Exhibition Opportunities are now available.

Dist. Prof. Buddhima Indraratna
Chair – 5th ICTG-Sydney 2024 Organising Committee