2020 Australian Geomechanics Society Sydney Symposium

This document contains the accepted papers submitted and peer reviewed for the 24th annual symposium organised by the Sydney Chapter of the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS). This year the Australian Geomechanics Society marks its 50th anniversary. During the last five decades the AGS has stood as a beacon of the wider geotechnical community. Due to COVID-19 restriction, it is the first time that the presentations were delivered online to other geotechnical colleagues worldwide. It is hoped that the symposium will keep practicing geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, and other engineering professionals informed of recent developments in this field. It also recognises the need to gather the experience of those practicing throughout Australia and to allow transfer of knowledge and sharing of their experiences.

These symposia continue to be one of the best forms for bringing together the key stakeholders of the Australian geological and geotechnical community. The main objective of the symposium, held on 13 November 2020, is to showcase state-of-the-art practices, new research findings and case histories that demonstrate geotechnical advances and challenges in urban development. The organising committee invites papers on geotechnical aspects of urban development, underground structures, restoration of geotechnical structures, innovative and cost-efficient solutions, groundwater modelling and application of smart technologies.

This symposium is the cooperative effort of many authors and qualified reviewers. The editors and organising committee wish to thank the authors, who have generously contributed their time to prepare the various papers and the colleagues of the authors, who have assisted with time, secretarial, drafting and other facilities. Appreciation is also extended to our sponsors for their support. Without them, the Symposium would not be possibly the best ongoing forum for the Australian Geomechanics and groundwater community.