GCG Celebrates the British Geotechnical Association’s 75th Anniversary

On 15^th October 2024, the British Geotechnical Association (BGA) commemorated its 75^th anniversary with a landmark event that brought together the broad family of geotechnical engineering professionals. Held at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the event was a celebration of 75 years of advancement, collaboration, innovation and shared experiences within the geotechnical community. Geotechnical Consulting Group (GCG) is proud to have participated fully in this historic occasion, with several key figures from the organisation contributing to the day’s proceedings.

The focal point of the event was the keynote lecture by GCG’s Founding Partner, Professor Lord Robert Mair, a leading authority in the geotechnics of tunnelling. His lecture was titled “Unusual Tunnel Collapses – The Role of Geotechnics”. It explored, via clear, succinct and informative case histories, the nature and root causes of tunnel collapses. He categorised all tunnel collapses into two fundamental types; (i) ground failure at the tunnel face during excavation, and (ii) failure of tunnel lining, itself, occurring well after lining installation. He discussed the various approaches for understanding and preventing both classes of failure, including the roles of analytical studies, and physical, centrifuge and numerical modelling.

In addition, GCG’s Senior Partner Dr Chris Menkiti, who served as the BGA Chair from 2013 to 2015, reflected on key events during his tenure. Dr Menkiti highlighted efforts the BGA led to successfully prevent the loss of Geotechnique, during a period of deep cuts at the ICE due to severe financial pressures at the time. Loss of this pre-eminent journal would have been a catastrophic blow to UK Geotechnics and to the ICE itself. Thankfully, the ICE were open to our arguments and so Geotechnique continues to thrive to this day. Dr Chris Menkiti also recalled the experience and legacy of the European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ECSMGE) in Edinburgh in 2015. This hugely successful conference, which was held the BGA, set a high benchmark that subsequent European conferences endeavour to emulate. In conclusion, Dr Menkiti reflected on the strides made by the BGA in promoting diversity during his tenure and in the years that followed. While much still needs to be done, and done relatively quickly, he reflected on the steady progress and ongoing commitment of the association to broadening participation across board, noting that the BGA commitment covered diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, professional background etc. Dr Menkiti also served as a judge for the 55^th Cooling Prize competition, held by the BGA on the day. This was won by University of Dundee’s Thomas Riccio who gave a presentation on “Pile installation effects and plugging in soft rock”.

GCG’s Senior Partner, Professor Kelvin Higgins, chaired the BGA from 2019 to 2021, and reflected on his period as chair. His tenure was marked by the unprecedented challenge of steering the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the BGA adapted to the shifting landscape, embraced virtual engagement strategies. This included organising the BGA Piling Conference 2020, originally developed for in-person attendance, but changed to take place as an on-line event in 2021.

GCG’s Associate, Professor Stephan Jefferis reflected on his time as chair from 2015 to 2017. Given the financial safety of the surplus generated by Edinburgh Conference, the BGA could now do more to underwrite financially riskier knowledge events and so better benefit the full spectrum of its members, including those outside the metropolis. As such the BGA instituted a bi-annual conference that would be rotate between the regions of UK to improve accessibility, participation and diversity. Prof Jefferis reflected on the difference between a Society and an Association, noting that as a word, “society” might hint at a closer connection to its members than “association”. So, he argued that even though the BGA had changed from the BGS (British Geotechnical Society) to the BGA (British Geotechnical Association), it should never lose sight of the importance of keeping its Members at the core of its work.

All the above discussions are further expanded upon in the October issue of Ground Engineering magazine, which features reflections from past and current BGA Chairs on the association’s journey and the future of geotechnical practice.

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As GCG continues to drive innovation and excellence in geotechnical engineering, the firm was proud to stand alongside the BGA in celebrating 75 years of shared success, collaboration, and leadership in the field.