In an illuminating conversation with Ground Engineering (GE) magazine, this year’s Rankine Lecturer Professor Lidija Zdravković, an Associate of GCG, casts a visionary blueprint for integrating sustainability with soil mechanics in geotechnical engineering. The interview underscores how geotechnical engineers can spearhead sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Professor Zdravković’s interview opens up new avenues for the geotechnical community and emphasises the crucial need for a holistic approach, where soil mechanics serve not just as a foundation for construction but as a cornerstone for sustainable innovation. The critical role of numerical modelling with sound soil mechanics in achieving this is emphasised throughout.
The discussion navigates the challenges currently faced by the industry, including the over-exploitation of resources, design over-conservatism and the environmental impact of construction practices, and calls upon the geotechnical engineering community to take a proactive role in sustainability. This includes fostering a culture that prioritises long-term environmental goals over short-term gains
Read the full interview here to explore Professor Zdravković’s call for a sustainable revolution in geotechnical engineering: https://www.geplus.co.uk/features/interview-rankine-lecturer-lidija-zdravkovic-calls-for-sound-soil-mechanics-for-sustainability-09-02-2024/
