8 - Sustainability in Geotechnics

Question 1

What is sustainable development?

Answer 1

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 2

What are some of the biggest challenges facing engineering in this century?

Answer 2

Natural resources are depleting.
Traditional energy production is becoming expensive.
Water is becoming scarce.
Climate conditions are changing, threatening existing infrastructure

Question 3

What are the three aspects of sustainable development?

Answer 3

Environmental
Social
Economic

Question 4

What is the concept of the “triple bottom line” in sustainable development?

Answer 4

The “triple bottom line” refers to the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic objectives.

Question 5

What are the seven key geotechnical objectives?

Answer 5

Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction
Materials and Waste Reduction
Natural Water Maintenance
Climate Change Adaptation
Effective Land Use and Management
Economic Viability and Long-Term Cost
Positive Contribution to Society

Question 6

What are the key concerns under the geotechnical objective of “Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction”?

Answer 6

Fossil fuels will eventually run out.
Burning fossil fuels has dangerous effects on the climate.
Countries like Britain will rely on imports for energy.
Energy efficiency impacts economic and social aspects.

Question 7

: What are the issues related to “Materials and Waste Reduction” in geotechnical engineering?

Answer 7

Traditional materials like concrete and steel require a lot of energy and resources.
Natural resources are depleting.
Construction waste in the UK amounts to approximately 100 million tonnes per year.
Reducing waste benefits both the environment and the economy.

Question 8

Why is “Natural Water Maintenance” important in geotechnical engineering?
A:

Answer 8

Water is essential for the environment and may become less available.
Water is unevenly distributed geographically, and its equilibrium is easily disrupted by human intervention.
Water pollution can cause significant social problems.

Question 9

What challenges are associated with “Climate Change Adaptation” in geotechnical engineering??

Answer 9

Climate change is testing existing infrastructure.
Future climate conditions will likely see more severe weather, temperature changes, and flooding due to rising sea levels.

Question 10

What does “Effective Land Use and Management” address in geotechnical engineering?

Answer 10

The growing population requires a balance of land for housing, industry, and agriculture.
Over 325,000 contaminated sites in England and Wales need remediation.
Avoiding the use of unspoiled greenfield land for construction.

Question 11

What is the importance of “Economic Viability and Long-Term Cost” in geotechnical engineering?

Answer 11

Construction costs traditionally focused on the immediate expenses.
Costs should also consider social and environmental impacts during the operational life.
Maintenance, changes in use, and decommissioning costs must be factored in.

Question 12

What does “Positive Contribution to Society” mean in the context of geotechnical engineering?

Answer 12

Civil engineering can have positive impacts on society, but negative effects are often overlooked.
Displacement, nuisance, and the loss of culturally significant places can affect communities.

Question 13

Which two geotechnical objectives will be further focused on?

Answer 13

Materials and Waste Reduction
Natural Water Maintenance

Question 14

What are the four key points to consider for any geotechnical project focusing on materials and waste production?

Answer 14

Lean Design
Intelligent Material Choice
Alternative Materials
Waste Reduction

Question 15

What is Lean Design in geotechnical engineering?

Answer 15

Lean design aims to eliminate conservatism in geotechnical design by optimizing theoretical modeling, experimentation (ground investigation), and empiricism (e.g., Burland’s Triangle) to make the most efficient use of materials and reduce environmental impact.

Question 16

What is the importance of Intelligent Material Choice in geotechnical projects?

Answer 16

Intelligent material choice involves considering the environmental impact of construction materials, such as using recycled content in steel, recommending recycled aggregates or cement replacements, and opting for earthworks instead of traditional structures.

Question 17

What are Alternative Materials in geotechnical projects?

Answer 17

Alternative materials are innovative solutions like reduced foundation sizes or soil reinforcement instead of retaining walls. While beneficial, these materials require careful consideration due to their environmental impact, such as the use of geosynthetics or lime in soil stabilization.

Question 18

How does Waste Reduction apply to geotechnical engineering?

Answer 18

Waste reduction in geotechnical engineering involves questioning the need for excavation, using waste materials like tyre bales as lightweight fill, and stabilizing soils with by-products, thus reducing the amount of unsuitable soil disposed in landfills.

Question 19

What is the role of water in Natural Water Maintenance in geotechnical engineering?

Answer 19

Water is integral to geotechnical engineering, as issues with soils often arise from water within their voids. Sustainable water management includes ensuring minimal impact on existing water resources, maintaining natural water cycles, and optimizing water use during construction.

Question 20

What is the Impact on Existing Water Environment in geotechnical projects?

Answer 20

The impact on the existing water environment includes considering the regional groundwater flow and how large subsurface constructions may affect it, such as creating a damming effect on groundwater (e.g., Florence TAV Station).

Question 21

What are Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) in geotechnical projects?

Answer 21

SUDS aim to replicate natural water processes by managing runoff flow rates, protecting water quality, providing wildlife habitats, and encouraging natural groundwater recharge to maintain a balance in the water cycle.

Question 22

What is Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)?/

Answer 22

Aquifer Storage and Recovery involves storing surplus water in an aquifer during times of abundance for use during times of scarcity. It helps conserve water and is commonly used in areas with high water demand.

Question 23

How can water usage be optimized during construction to support sustainability?

Answer 23

Sustainable construction practices include minimizing water consumption, recycling gray- and black-water, using low-water-use technologies, and ensuring that the quality of discharged water is suitable for the receiving environment.