Observational Method Conference
Perspectives and feedback from academics, consultants, contractors, clients, and technical committees.
About the Conference
The Observational Method (OM) remains a cornerstone of modern geotechnical practice, providing a framework to manage geotechnical uncertainties through adaptive design and construction. This Observational Method Conference, is hosted by TC206 at Imperial College and brings together perspectives from academia, consultancy, contracting, and client organisations to explore recent developments and challenges in implementing OM across disciplines.
CIRIA have recently let a contract to Arup and Mott Macdonald to update the OM Guide R185 on OM. This Conference provides an opportunity to obtain industry feedback on OM for this Guide. A goal is also to promote interaction with other Technical Committees such as TC220 (I&M), TC204 (Tunnels), and TC309 (Machine Learning), where OM is already practised.
Keynotes presentations addressing statistical control of uncertainty, reliability of instrumentation, and lessons from tunnelling practice. Subsequent sessions highlight progress in real-time back analysis (RTBA), surrogate modelling, and data bases. A session is also planned on how tunnelling, piling and ground treatment works are using data-driven methods to influence designs during construction.
Sponsorships & Collaborations
Keynote Speakers
Tunnelling – Lessons for the Observational Method
Abstract: In this session, Professor Colin Eddie will outline some of the ways that the Observational Method is applied in tunnelling, based on his extensive experience in this field. The talk will focus on three practical applications of the Observational Method in tunnelling:
· SCL tunnel construction, including the application of real-time process controls for safety.
· Rock Mass Classifications and using the Observational Method to manage uncertainty.
· Ground treatment where observations are used to optimise the approach.
The talk will conclude with some overall perspectives on the Observational Method in tunnelling and offer some lessons-learnt for the wider industry.
How Reliable is Instrumentation?
Abstract: Instrumentation and monitoring (I&M) are vital components of the Observational Method (OM). Although engineers have monitored ground and structural responses for decades, there are still many questions and decisions that need to be considered when planning I&M in order to apply the OM successfully. In the first instance it is necessary to identify what should be monitored (and how) and the spatial and temporal scope of measurements. Subsequently decisions need to be made about the choice of instruments, relative costs and pros and cons between different monitoring systems (e.g. in terms of accuracy and resolution, ease of monitoring), their installation, method of monitoring and background (base) readings. Finally, efficient and meaningful processing and analysis of the data are required to relay back into the OM process. These various factors contribute to: (i) the reliability and usefulness of the I&M systems; (ii) the willingness of those involved to adopt them (and hence the OM philosophy); and (iii) the success of the OM approach. They will be discussed, using common I&M measures, drawing on examples and experience from past monitoring projects.
Uncertainty in our data and uncertainty in design
Abstract: The lecture illustrates that Karl Terzaghi and Ralph Peck thought about statistics and uncertainty when making their recommendation for the application of the Observational Method. A short overview of where our geo-data come from, the uncertainties caused by our choice of words when describing soil and rock and the need for adapted management of the data into a decision-making instrument is given. The lecture describes selected statistical tools that help quantify the uncertainties and presents examples of the effect of uncertainties on data interpretation and analysis and, ultimately, the perception of safety. A framework to account for uncertainties to help make more robust decisions in geotechnical engineering is proposed.
Presenters
Invited lectures on the topic of the Observation Method
Conference Program
1 / Session 1– Overview of TC206 OM activity and Revised Ciria Observational Method Guide
9 AM
Chair: Duncan Nicholson
Speakers:
1. Tony O'Brien
Contracts, - Codes - Guides (Revised CIRIA OM Guide).
What needs to change?
2. Marcelo Sánchez
Links with Technical Committees- - Introduction –
Panel Discussions with
TC204: Giulia Viggiani
TC220: Andrew Ridley
ERTC7/TC103: Franz Tschuchnigg
2 / Session 2 – Keynote Presentations
11AM
Chair: Ying Chen
Speakers:
1. Suzanne Lacasse
Statistical Framework for controlling uncertainty in OM
2. Jamie Standing
Reliability in instrumentation and monitoring
3. Colin Eddie
Tunnelling -- Lessons for Observation Method
Lunch
Catering is included in the conference ticket.
3 / Session 3 – Developments in Real-time back analysis
2 PM
Chair: Franz Tschuchnigg
Speakers:
1. David Taborda, Imperial College London
Surrogate modelling for observational method
2. Luca Piciullo, NGI
Real-time analysis of slope stability
3. - Hock Liong Liew, Mott McDonald
DAARWIN and Cloud-Integrated Data Processing in Practice: A Case Study
4. Stuart Hardy, ARUP
Gofer/Meta program development
5. Fadi Haddad, Bauer
Piling instrumentation and the observational method
6. Ignasi Aliguer, SAALG
Real-time data analysis to increase the performance of a tunnel boring machine
4/ Session 4 - Closing discussion on New CIRIA Guide
5 PM
Chair: Hoe Chian Yeow
The floor will be open for discussion on the revision of the guide on the observational method. Authors for the revised R185 will be available for comment.
5/ Closed: Post conference reception
6 PM
Drinks available after conference