The general reports give an overview of the papers submitted to the symposium, covered in four technical sessions. The proceedings include the written version of the five invited lectures covering topics ranging from developments in geotechnical aspects of underground construction, tunnelling and groundwater interaction (short and long-term effects), the influence of earth pressure balance shield tunnelling on pre-convergence and segmental liner loading (field observations, modelling and implications on design).
Similar to previous editions, Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground represents a valuable source of reference on the current practice of analysis, design, and construction of tunnels and deep excavations in soft ground. The book is particularly aimed at academics and professionals interested in geotechnical and underground engineering.
Mohammed Elshafie is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at Qatar University. Prior to his appointment at Qatar University he was a University Senior Lecturer at the Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering & Technology at the University of Cambridge. His research interest span large scale underground infrastructure assets and small-scale centrifuge modelling of underground construction activities with a strong focus on understanding actual underground structures performance during and after construction.
Giulia Viggiani is Professor of Infrastructure Geotechnics at the University of Cambridge. She has been involved in many major underground projects in Italy and the UK, including monitoring building response to construction of the Jubilee Line Extension in London and the design and construction of Lines 1 and 6 of Napoli Underground and of Line C of Roma Underground. She organised TC204 IS-Roma 2011 and was one of the three members of the Scientific Advisory Board of WTC 2019.
Lord Robert Mair is a geotechnical engineer who has specialised in underground construction in soft ground throughout his career. He is Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering at Cambridge University, where until recently he was Head of Civil Engineering. Prior to his appointment at Cambridge in 1998, he worked in industry for 27 years, throughout which time he maintained and developed close links with the academic world. In 1983 he became a founding Director of the Geotechnical Consulting Group, an international consulting company based in London. He was appointed to the House of Lords in 2015.