Elevating Geotechnical Excellence: Novel Practices and Innovative Solutions in Hong Kong

With nearly 50 years of experience as a geotechnical and structural engineer, the author aims to share his noteworthy expertise in this seminar. The paper will provide an overview of three key aspects of geotechnical engineering: Slope Works, Excavation and Lateral Support (ELS) Works, and Foundation. Regarding slope works, the paper will discuss the design development of slope upgrading works and natural terrain mitigation works together with several actual examples showcasing successful approaches to address challenging site constraints. Additionally, the paper will introduce novel materials that are either currently used or under study for slope works. Regarding ELS works, this paper will discuss the Enhanced Control System (5A system) for ground control during ELS. The author will also share his latest experiences in implementing sustained soil nailing as tie-backs, which represents the advancement in ELS design works. For the foundation section, this paper will elucidate the development of "presumed allowable bearing pressures" for rock. Each section will feature actual examples under the author's supervision, showcasing his ability to overcome engineering difficulties and address pertinent safety issues with excellence.