Abstract:
This John Mitchell Lecture will question the future role of the geotechnical engineer in his daily work in our modern society. The development of big data, the increasing role of codes, the dangerous evolution of the contracting environment, and last, but certainly not least, the challenges deriving from climatologic changes: all these factors draft a new environment to which our profession has to adapt. After a short review of the history of engineering and specifically geotechnical engineering, we will go through these different aspects and try to see how they can influence or daily work but also if and how we can react. Putting these new trends in perspective will hopefully help us to explore which fundamental aspects of our profession remain valid, and which key concepts should still guide us from noise to signal. Considering the purpose of the DFI when establishing this Lecture, a special focus will be given throughout the Lecture to the topic of communication.