2003 Sydney Symposium

Geotechnical Instrumentation and Construction Works Compliance Testing

The Sydney Group of the Australian Geomechanics Society, a body jointly sponsored by the Institution of Engineers, Australia and The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has selected the theme of geotechnical instrumentation and construction works compliance testing for its 7ht annual mini-symposium. The objective of these annual mini-symposia has been to inform practising Geotechnical Engineers and Engineering Geologists of recent developments in different disciplines of ground engineering, to include experiences and practise which are specific to our region. Previous topics have included landslide risk management, excavation retention, pavements, piles and computer methods.

The Organising Committee, on behalf of the Sydney Chapter of the Australian Geomechanics Society, approached local practitioners to contribute papers and case histories involving geotechnical instrumentation and construction works compliance testing. The expectation had been that papers would be submitted that addressed the use of different geotechnical instrumentation types and systems to monitor compliance at the construction stage. Whilst most of the papers are in that vein, contributions also include papers which address specific instrumentation types, both field and laboratory.

The case histories include discussions of geotechnical design and construction practise. Case histories include the use of geotechnical instrumentation for monitoring the settlement of soft ground and thick engineered fill during construction and for monitoring remedial and repair works of a tunnel. The focus on instrumentation types includes laboratory methods, field instrumentation of piles, and the real time monitoring of inclinometers.

This symposium is a cooperative effort of many authors. The Editors wish to thank the authors, who have so generously contributed their time to prepare the various papers, and the employers of the authors, who have assisted with time, secretarial, drafting and photocopying facilities.

The Editors hope that the information presented will prove to be a valuable source of information for geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists working in the Sydney region.

Graham Scholey
Tony Walker
(Editors)