Statistical Techniques in Geotechnical Engineering

Something Useful or Just another Numbers Salad

Richard David

Most Geotechnical Engineers and Engineering Geologists are, as a rule, allergic to statistical methods and techniques. They prefer instead to rely on judgement when drawing conclusions from data.

This short informative talk will explore whether statistical analytical techniques have more of a role to play in geotechnical and geological data analysis. The presentation is ideally suited to the practicing professional, with practical examples provided showing the potential use and pitfalls of the techniques highlighted.  The implications for deriving geotechnical design parameters are discussed, taking current industry practice into account.

At the end of the talk, attendees will be able to decide for themselves whether the techniques presented are really useful, or just another Numbers Salad.

About the speaker

Richard David Principal Geotechnical Engineer

CMW Geosciences

Richard graduated with a Masters degree in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. This all occurred long before Covid was thought of and widely distributed.

Relatively soon after graduating he left the sunny shores of Africa to settle in Perth. He arrived at a time when Perth was still relatively deserted and chill. The freeway north and south had only two lanes and the freeway north ended at around Lake Monger. 

The Liberal Government of the day thought that building the Mandurah Railway line down the freeway was pure madness. Their greatest achievement was delivering the Bell Tower which they considered to be a major piece of infrastructure.

Fast forward to the present. Richard’s early interest in geotechnical engineering has not waned. He has over 30 years of geotechnical experience working in Australia and overseas. His experience extends to working on many of Perth’s large infrastructure projects including to the Perth to Mandurah Railway line.  He is particularly interested in data analysis and interpretation and hence this talk.

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