Hong Kong presents challenges for the geotechnical engineer. The steep terrain, tropical weathering and variable geology results in a wide variety of conditions of heterogeneous ground, steep often unstable slopes, and shortage of flat land for development. During the last several decades Hong Kong has experienced growth of population and a need for housing and expanded infrastructure. Whereas slopes stability and slopes safety have been and still are important issues involving the deployment of hundreds of geotechnical engineers, the role of geotechnics in major projects has been less publicized. This seminar will outline the role of geotechnical engineers in some of the major projects in Hong Kong illustrated with examples from private development, underground rail, highways, port and airport development.


Speaker
Dr John Endicott is Adjunct Professor in the Civil Engineering Department of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He graduated with first class honours and obtained his Ph.D from Cambridge University in 1967 and 1971 respectively. He has worked in Hong Kong since 1975 including extensive involvement with underground construction including Taipei, Singapore and Bangkok and worked on the infrastructure for New Towns, for highways projects and the airport at Chek Lap Kok. He has worked on many reclamations, and slope stability studies with interest in groundwater and acted as Expert Witness in several instances of litigation. He is currently the Chairman of Maunsell Geotechnical Services Ltd.