2nd Young Geotechnical Professionals Conference Proceedings

Welcome to the Second Australia-New Zealand Young Geotechnical Professionals Conference being held at the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. This Conference builds on the very successful First Conference held in Sydney 1994 and is supported by both the New Zealand and Australian Geomechanics Societies.

Our Regional Conferences follow several similar ones held in Europe over the past decade and are designed to foster the following:

• an increased understanding between young geotechnical engineers and geological professionals,
• develop close links between those in academic research and others working in the consulting industry and
• provide an appreciation of the range of work undertaken by others of a similar age and experience

Additional benefits from these conferences are the opportunity to meet and get to know your peers throughout the region and to develop an active interest in the regions geotechnical affairs.

Considerable thanks are due to Garry Mostyn and his team from Sydney for organising the first conference and providing a framework for subsequent events; to EQC for supporting our Guest Lecturers, assistance for South Island participants and help in publishing conference proceedings; to the New Zealand and Australian Geomechanics Society for taking up the challenge of running these conferences; to the management and staff of Foundation Engineering and Woodward Clyde who have assisted in the organisation and conference sponsorship; and finally to your employers for having the foresight to invest in the future by sponsoring your attendance.

Welcome to Auckland for the Second Young Geotechnical Professionals Conference.

Maurice Fraser
on behalf of the Organisation Committee