A Window Into Some Of The Challenges And Joys Accompanying Four Decades Of Geomechanics Practice

Andrew Leventhal

Andrew’s presentation will cover:

• salient features and “take-away” lessons from some of the geotechnical projects selected from his portfolio over the last four decades;
• background to the development of the Landslide Risk Management framework for Australia, dealing more with the challenges and issues in bringing the framework to fruition than specifically the guidelines themselves; and
• particular (and dare it be said) novel applications and challenging geotechnical responses, and their interpretation, for a current project relating to management of the Main Southern Railway south of Sydney during underground longwall mining, whilst permitting safe operation of the railway together with unimpeded mining.

Speaker biography

Andrew is the 2010 AGS Geotechnical Practitioner of the Year, an award that recognises contributions of the highest order over an extended period with a commitment to the geotechnical profession in Australia and to the Australian Geomechanics Society. Andrew is also the 2011 Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year, an award that is presented annually by the Civil College of Engineers Australia to an eminent Civil Engineer considered to have made a major contribution to the profession.

Andrew’s experience has included many aspects in the fields of geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics. This has included: the organisation and supervision of site investigations and the associated recommendations for: foundation design; land and slope stability; pavement designs for lightly trafficked roadways as well as heavy duty dedicated haul roads; pit top facilities for open cut and underground coal and uranium mines; dam engineering involving foundation investigation, embankment analysis, hydrological analysis and yield assessment, and construction supervision. Recent tasks have been associated with the management of the consequences of underground mine subsidence upon major infrastructure elements – mainline railway and stored water reservoirs.

Andrew has also been the behind-the-scenes driving force for the AGS Sub-committee on Landslide Risk Management, being involved: from the initial (world-first) publication in 1985, to the launch of the interactive website for Landslide Risk Management Education Empowerment (July 2012). Andrew is a Past-President of the Sydney Division of Engineers Australia (2000 & 2001) and Chair of the AGS National Committee (2002 & 2003).

Engineers Australia members participating in AGS technical sessions can record attendance on their personal CPD logs. Members should refer to Engineers Australia CPD policy for details on CPD types, requirements and auditing guidelines.