TGEP 096: Land Site Characterization: Essential Techniques for Informed Decisions

In this episode, we talk with Leonard Sands, Global Business Line Director for Land at Fugro, about his extensive career journey, the evolution, and innovations in land site characterization and geological data gathering. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Leonard: What notable advancements have you observed in the field of land characterization and geological data gathering? Reflecting on your experiences, which project stands out as the most memorable to you? How have the evolved non-intrusive diagnosis techniques impacted the industry? Can you elaborate on the role and significance of digital models and forecasting in today's geotechnical engineering? Which strategies and technologies have proven pivotal in enhancing data quality for land site characterization? What do you perceive as the major challenges in large-scale geotechnical projects, and how do you approach managing them? How do you manage scope creep and ensure timely delivery in projects with optimistic time frames? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Land Site Characterization:  In geotechnical work, relying on traditional methods often causes delays and uncertainty. A more effective approach involves the early use of 3D scanning and seismic technology, providing a detailed ground model for informed decisions about foundations. This upfront strategy saves time and money, bringing transformative changes to the industry. In demanding projects, geotechnical experts face intense pressure. Within 48 hours on site, they swiftly investigate, test, and analyze, ensuring a safe foundation for operations. This involves drilling boreholes, interpreting data within 12 hours, and confidently predicting foundation performance. The stakes are high as they communicate findings, putting their reputation on the line. It's a challenging and impactful experience in the geotechnical field. Taking cues from the medical field, the geotechnical industry is evolving. Shifting from invasive methods to early screening, similar to medical imaging, brings reduced risk and improved project outcomes. While the transition unfolds gradually, those who embrace change early can reshape the industry, paving the way for more efficient mega projects and increased infrastructure investment. Getting on board early promises significant rewards in this transformative journey. Ground modeling is revolutionizing with AI integration. By merging human and AI intelligence early on, a universal digital model emerges, bridging subsurface and surface realms for efficient collaboration. Iterative data synthesis enables optimization, prediction, and precise forecasting, ensuring on-time, on-budget outcomes for large projects. The rapid global adoption of this digital model within the next five years is set to reshape industry workflows significantly. The industry is stuck in a rigid copy-paste culture for project scopes. It's crucial to break free, shift early to a comprehensive three-dimensional model, and let AI tailor solutions for unique site needs. The challenge is dispelling the black box perception, building trust, and making the industry more relatable and predictable. Take time to reflect, break free from conservatism, and align actions with the right objectives. In mega projects, tight schedules and budgets are major concerns. Early decisions based on assumptions can lead to late-stage problem-solving. The industry's siloed nature and unforeseen issues later can be counterproductive. Spatial uncertainties, foundation modeling errors, and site investigation mistakes contribute to project failures. Starting earlier is crucial for establishing a single source of truth and refining the ground model to prev...