Geotechnical Division

WORKING GROUPS


Working Group on Application of Innovative Technology in Geotechnical Engineering
Working Group on Cavern and Tunnel Engineering

Working Group on Application of Innovative Technology in Geotechnical Engineering

Membership


Chairman Ir Ken Ho
Member Ir H N Wong
Ir Albert Ho
Ir Cyril Chan
Ir Patrick Chao
Prof J H Yin
Ir Thomas Hui
Ir Dr Mark Chan Ir Dr Chan is leading a subgroup on Computer Programme

Terms of Reference

  1. Identify innovative techniques that may be usefully applied to geotechnical engineering in Hong Kong and in the region.
  2. Consolidate knowledge, experience and practice in application of innovative technology in geotechnical engineering.
  3. Promote awareness among the Hong Kong geotechnical professionals of the potential and benefits of application of the innovative techniques.
  4. Arrange activities to promulgate application of innovative technology in geotechnical engineering.
  5. Promote development of new technology for application in geotechnical engineering.

Year Plan for 2009/2010

In 2009/10, the Working Group plans to launch the following initiatives to facilitate the sharing of knowledge/experience gained and promulgate awareness of the technology and promote practical application.

  1. Natural Terrain Hazard Study and Quantitative Risk Assessment
  2. Debris Mobility and Modelling
  3. Remote Sensing
  4. Instrumentation and Geotechnical Investigation
  5. Computer and Digital Technology
  6. Sustainable Development and Climate Change
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Subject Initiative Tentative Schedule in 2010 Managed by
Quantitative Risk Assessment Conduct another round of workshop on QRA and NTHS for geotechnical practitioners. [a total of three workshops were given since 2007. Last workshop for about 40 participants was held in Nov 2009.] Q4 2010 Ir Ken Ho and Ir Thomas Hui
Review the Quantified Risk Criteria. Q3 2010
Debris Mobility Modelling Conduct a HKIE-GD workshop on the development and application of debris mobility modelling. [tentative a one-day workshop for about 30 participants] Q3 2010 Ir Patrick Chao (Ir Florence Ko)
Arrange a field visit to debris flow sites. [tentative a half-day visit for about 20 participants under HKIE-GD’s site visit programme] Q2 2010 Ir Patrick Chao (Ir Martin Devonald)
Remote Sensing Arrange HKIE-GD technical seminar to share the experience gained from the pilot trial of ground-based InSAR in Hong Kong. Q2 2010 Ir Thomas Hui
Arrange release of samples of air-borne LiDAR data for trial use by practitioners and researchers. Q1 2010 Ir H N Wong
Instrumentation and Geotechnical Investigation Arrange HKIE-GD technical seminar on the use of optical fibre sensing technologies (BOTDA & FBG) for monitoring of geotechnical works . Q4 2010 Prof. J H Yin
Arrange HKIE-GD technical seminar on the development geotechnical instrumentation and advances in data capture/transmission/management. Q3/Q4 2010 Ir Cyril Chan (Ir Ian Solomon)
Computer and Digital Technology Arrange HKIE-GD technical seminar to share the findings of the benchmarking exercise on slope stability analysis. Q1/Q2 2010 Ir Dr Mark Chan
Sustainable Development and Climate Change Consolidate overseas experience and research on the application of relevant technology. (e.g. energy piles and suction caissons for wind farms) and examine their potential for application in Hong Kong. [tentative a HKIE-GD seminar] Q3/Q4 2010 Ir Albert Ho & Ir Patrick Chao (Ir Freda Chu)

In addition, the following contributions were made to the 2008 HKIE-GD annual seminar on "Applications of Innovative Technologies in Geotechnical Works":

  • "Pilot Airborne LiDAR Survey in Hong Kong – Application to Natural Terrain Hazard Study" by K.C. Ng & K.M. Chiu
  • "Application of Innovative Monitoring techniques at Four Selected Natural Hillsides in Hong Kong" by K.W.K. Lau, H.W. Sun, S.W. Millis, E.K.K. Chan & A.N.L. Ho
  • "Automated wireless groundwater monitoring system at Po Shan Road" by I.J. Solomon, W.M. Chan, A. J. Westmoreland & E. Tang
  • "Mobility Assessment of Debris Flood – Recent Advancement" by J.S.H. Kwan & F.W.Y. Ko
  • "Use of Time Domain Reflectometry in Soil Nailing Works" by W.M. Cheung, D.O.K. Lo and W.K. Pun
  • "Application of Real-time Drilling Process Monitoring during Soil Nailing" by N.L. Ho, K.M. Yau, M.J. Wright and K.L. Wong
  • "Trial Application of Thermal Infra-red Imaging and Seismic Sympathetic Vibration Techniques for Slope Investigation" by J.W.C. Lau, H.W. Sun, S.W. Millis, E.K.K. Chan and A.N.L. Ho

Publications (Abstracts and Reports)

Working Group on Cavern and Tunnel Engineering - Session 2008/2009 up

Membership

Chairman Ir Joseph Lo
Member Ir Dr Richard Pang (Immediate past chairman of the working group)
Mr Billy Siu (Secretary)
Ir David Salisbury Mr Ray Brewster Ir Eric Chiu
Mr Satoshi Endo Ir Dr Alan Kwong Ir David Lau
Mr Alfred Leung Ir Dr Ian MacFeat-Smith Ir Professor Charles Ng
Dr Sam Ng Mr James Rickard Ir K.H. Lum
Ir Alan Morris Mr Justin Taylor Ir Oscar Wong
Ir Paul YF Yau      

Terms of Reference

  1. Consolidate local and international knowledge, experience and practice in cavern and tunnel engineering.
  2. Identify key issues on and actions required for appropriate use of caverns and tunnels in Hong Kong.
  3. Promoting the development of technical knowledge among professionals, developers and the relevant authorities for caverns and tunnels in Hong Kong.
  4. Making recommendations to the HKIE GDC on follow-up actions to be taken for cavern and tunnel engineering good practice in Hong Kong.
  5. Conducting technical exchanges between practitioners in Hong Kong and overseas.

Year Plan for 2008/2009

  1. Contribute to seminars and conferences related to cavern and tunnel engineering.
  2. Provide comments on circulars, standards and codes of practice related to cavern and tunnel engineering upon request.
  3. Contribute towards updating a catalogue of Hong Kong tunnels, which will serve to promote safe cavern and tunnel engineering practice.
  4. Identify and promote training for development of engineer and engineering technician.
  5. Carry out research on blasting vibration and its effects on stability of slopes and examine professional matters related to blasting for rock excavation.
  6. Promote awareness in latest tunneling technologies.
  7. Promote and review the use of Ground Reference Conditions/Geotechnical Baseline Reports for risk sharing in tunnelling contracts
  8. Encourage development of safety, risk and environmental control standards

Publications (Papers and Presentation Files)

"Tunnels and Caverns in Hong Kong" by HKIE (Working Group on Cavern and Tunnel Engineering)

Tunneling - Selected Topics (13 June 2009)
Joint Technical Seminar by HKIE (Geotechnical Working Group on Cavern & Tunnel Engineering),
AGS(HK) & HK Tunnelling Society