Following the successful trialling of the Australian New South Wales (NSW) Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) Assessed Risk Level (ARL) for slope risk assessment and mitigation works identification, Waka Kotahi is looking to adopt the NSW ARL approach for future projects. Currently Waka Kotahi assess…
The Scala Penetrometer (SP) or Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) is a tool used to measure the penetration resistance of in-situ soils. It is an arbitrary method of testing soils, but it is used for its cost effectiveness, durability and efficiency in which results can be…
Abstract The shrink swell test, which combines both the shrink strain and the swell strain, was developed in Australia in the 1980s. This test now underpins a codified approach to the foundation design of lightweight buildings on expansive (reactive) soils in Australia and New Zealand….
ABSTRACT NZS 1170.5:2004 provides a subsoil classification system of classes A to E, which are determined by specific criteria of soil or rock characteristics. The fundamental site period, T, is a key parameter in the classification system and is particularly useful in deciding between soil…
In October 2019, a spectacular landslide destroyed nearly 300m of State Highway 4 at a remote site near Te Ore Ore, about 20km south of Raetihi in the central North Island. The slip caused major disruption to the local community and to goods and tourist…
Turning issues into opportunities in the New Zealand context Abstract End-of-life tyres (ELTs) are non-reusable tyres in their original form. They enter a waste management system based on product/material recycling and energy recovery or go to disposal. In New Zealand, only 30% of the 5…
Originally Published on LinkedIn, 11 January 2015. Republished by permission of the author. The Generalised Hoek-Brown (GHB) criterion is likely to be, in one form or another, the most widely used rock mass strength criterion in geotechnical engineering practice, despite its semi-empirical nature or any…
1. Introduction Coastal communities globally face the unprecedented task of adapting to elevated coastal hazard risk under changing environmental conditions, including sea-level rise. Sea-level rise will continue for centuries, and while the rate of future sea-level rise is uncertain, there will undoubtedly be an increase…
1. Geotechnical Practice: Advice and Guidance for younger readers on their career path: from student to Graduate, through Professional to Mentor THE EDITORS OF NZ Geomechanics News and George Brink of Tonkin and Taylor have developed an initiative to provide a regular feature for younger…
The Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering Practice Series (the Modules), published jointly by MBIE and NZGS during 2016 and 2017, is currently being updated. Feedback from users is now being incorporated and new research and information is being incorporated to continue to assist design professionals to improve…
