The 18th Glossop Lecture: variability and ground hazards: how does the ground get to be ‘unexpected ’?

Abstract

Understanding why the ground is variable is vital to the successful and safe undertaking of civil engineering projects. Yet investment in quality ground investigation and ground modelling is still often woefully underfunded given the hazards that can result. This paper seeks to explain how basic preconceptions can lead to a lack of geological understanding, and how by looking at why the ground is variable can help us anticipate ground risks, and explain them better to others.