A Framework for Geotechnical Engineering Practice and Education

Today the engineering profession faces twin challenge of developing massive infrastructure as well as global issues of climate change. Projects today require complex engineering in difficult conditions with extremely tight financial, time and technical constraints. These requires multidisciplinary teams interacting closely with each other to develop safe, optimum and sustainable infrastructures. This paper discusses and outlines geotechnical knowledge required for nurturing sustainable engineering practices and their integration with existing education and training of geotechnical engineers. Starting with the main activities of geotechnical engineers including exploration, analysis and design, management and construction, the paper discusses the key sources of geotechnical knowledge such as engineering sciences, models, software, codes of practice, judgement and heuristics and their applications in engineering practice for developing a multidisciplinary talent in engineers. This is then followed by a discussion on trends such as development and incorporation of new technology, climate change and requirements of complex but sustainable projects in difficult conditions which are likely to impact the profession in the coming decades and concludes with requirements on education and training of geotechnical engineers to make them ready for future challenges. The study reflects great divergence existing between academics and practitioners and suggest ways to bridge this gap by inculcating a better understanding of the geotechnical knowledge required in engineering practice and incorporating this knowledge in education and training of geotechnical engineers.