Abstract
Professional judgement is the basis for many of the decisions taken by geotechnical engineers to make progress in the design, execution and works supervision. Judgment is a mandatory component of any engineering achievement, essential to assess the various uncertainties that inevitably affect engineering practice. Confidence in such judgements can result in small to big consequences, not only for the engineer itself, but also for others, sometimes with the risk of human loss and significant damage. The definition and the development of judgment in geotechnical engineering is discussed. The bases of the judgement are analysed in detail and the heuristics and bias, responsible for failures in the judgment, are identified. The importance of experts’ judgement and codification are highlighted and ways to improve judgment are also described. The lessons learned in a case study of one accident and two incidents that have occurred during the execution of the Lisbon Terreiro do Paço metro station construction works are presented to highlight the importance of an informed decision making informed through the engineering judgement.
Highlights
Judgment is paramount in engineering practice as it results from the use of intuition and reasoning, as well as from a fragment of codes, practical rules, applied science and evaluation and management processes
For example, the option to stabilize a slope with a nailed shotcrete lining instead of an anchored structure, or the option for a rockfill dam solution on a rocky foundation, as an alternative to a concrete dam, the geotechnical engineer needs judgment to take his decisions and guide his actions
The uncertainty of knowledge in geotechnical applications is subdivided into three subcategories: uncertainty in the geological-geotechnical characterisation, uncertainty of models and uncertainty of parameters. As it is used in geotechnical engineering, is used in other engineering specialities and in other professions which have to face uncertainties, like medicine
Summary
Judgment is paramount in engineering practice as it results from the use of intuition and reasoning, as well as from a fragment of codes, practical rules, applied science and evaluation and management processes. To better understand what judgment is, it is relevant to look at its etymology It is found in latin as iudicium, resulting from the verb iudicare, which means to judge. The resulting decisions and forecasts always incorporate uncertainty to a lesser or greater degree, so the engineer has to apply judgment, that is, the very real interpretive process that results from the sum of experience, discernment and intuition. The uncertainty of knowledge in geotechnical applications is subdivided into three subcategories: uncertainty in the geological-geotechnical characterisation, uncertainty of models and uncertainty of parameters Judgement, as it is used in geotechnical engineering, is used in other engineering specialities and in other professions which have to face uncertainties, like medicine
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