Geophysics 2000 Conference

Background

Improve Safety and Cost Savings: Improvements in safety and substantial cost savings can be realized with the appropriate use of various non-destructive test (NDT) geophysical technologies, and with an understanding of the limitations and applications of each method. Implementation of the conference background and objectives will render over one million dollars of annual savings in the USA alone.

Improve Current Practices: A review of current engineering and construction management practices, innovative contracting, and construction fast-tracking have revealed that over 50% of all construction claims and change orders are the result of insufficient subsurface information, detection of unidentified obstructions, voids, utilities, abandoned or active mines, and "unknown or changed" conditions adjacent to, between and below subsurface borings.

Improve QA & QC: Construction quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) programs can be improved by implementing quick NDT methods to assess in place construction materials, and determine the stability of new and existing transportation facilities.

Detect Unknown Bridge Foundations: A variety of NDT methods are also being used to detect unknown bridge foundations, and facilitate scour and stability analyses.

Conference Vision

Non-Profit - Technology Transfer: This self supporting Conference is established to enhance safety, quality and efficiency of transportation systems by expanding knowledge and understanding of the state-of-practice and state-of-the art in the use of more than sixteen geophysical technologies.

Technical Assistance and Guidelines: In response to the requests from transportation agencies for technical assistance and guidelines for non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, major topics will address subsurface investigations, site characterizations, and evaluations of structures and pavements.

International Participants: Attendees from the USA and abroad are anticipated from government, academia, and private agencies; consultants, contractors, and equipment manufacturers; civil, geotechnical, transportation, utility, environmental and geologic engineers; geophysicists, geologists, and hydrogeologists. Currently, participants from more that sixteen (16) countries have expressed interest in presenting papers.

Conference Objectives

Applications and Limitations: To provide participants with an understanding of the applications, limitations, and benefits of available geophysical methodologies.

Improve Understanding of Needs: To provide consultants and equipment manufacturers with an understanding of the information that transportation engineers require for design, construction and maintenance. This will allow collective research efforts to be focused on perceived needs.

Produce a Reference Manual: As opposed to publishing "conference proceedings", a reference manual for pro-active practice, training of practitioners, and instruction in Universities will be produced. This manual will have sections focusing on state-of-the-art for each technology with recommended guidelines, procedural recommendations for specific transportation activities, and mitigation methods for an array of practices.

Accomplish Objectives: Objectives will be accomplished through information sharing, presentations, discussions, and exhibits.

Agenda | List of topics | List of Papers | About the Conference
Sponsors | Participants | Committees | Contacts

Related Features

• Geotech Conferences
• Geotech Publications
• Geotech Software

Contact:

Ben Rivers
Resource Center (Atlanta)
404-562-3926
benjamin.rivers@fhwa.dot.gov