Challenges to Digital Transformation in Geotechnical Engineering

The application of digital data and technologies in geotechnical engineering is not new; however, the use is sporadic and inconsistent among geotechnical engineering specialists and firms across the world. Further, this use is often limited to specific areas such as processing of field data during ground investigations and detailed numerical analyses of complicated foundation systems during design. There is a general lack of interoperability among the various digital tools and systems, which is inhibiting efficiency that could have been achieved otherwise using compliant platforms which can readily transfer data and models. This paper examines by way of examples where digital data and technologies are being used to increase efficiency in design and construction and enhance collaboration on construction projects. The paper explores the current state of the art and future potential opportunity to automate the whole geotechnical design process of capturing field data, generation of ground models, analyses and design, and visualisation of final solutions without the need for manual data entry at any of the intermediate stages. The level and stages where human input would continue to be required in geotechnical engineering are also reviewed, given the level of empiricism we still adopt due to significant gaps in our understanding of the variability of natural materials, behaviour of ground under loading and due to its complex interaction with other man-made materials and structures. In addition, a view is taken of the market driven barriers that might be limiting the efficiency of the geotechnical industry and the society in general, which could gain from the ongoing digital transformation.