Geotechnical R & D Needs in Canada

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Geotechnical R & D Needs in Canada

Clark, J. J.; Ladanyi, B.; Macdonald, D. H.; Meyerhof, G. G.; Peckover, F. L.

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P r i c e $2.50 A r e p o r t of a s t u d y c a r r i e d o u t f o r The D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h N a t i o n a l R e s e a r c h C o u n c i l Canada Ottawa, O n t a r i o , Canada

J.I.

C l a r k , P.Eng. B. L a d a n y i , Ing. D.H. MacDonald, P.Eng. G.G. Meyerhof, P.Eng. a s s i s t e d by F.L. Peckover, T e c h n i c a l C o n s u l t a n t S p e c i a l T e c h n i c a l P u b l i c a t i o n No. 6 of t h e D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h Ottawa, October 1983 NRCC 22720

PREFACE

I n 1980, t h e National Research Council of Canada arranged f o r a n e x t e r n a l committee t o review t h e g e o t e c h n i c a l work of t h e D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g

Research a s p a r t of an o v e r a l l review of t h e r e s e a r c h a c t i v i t y of NRC. The

committee concluded t h a t t h e r e were t o o many c o n s t r a i n t s on b o t h f u n d i n g and human r e s o u r c e s t o a l l o w DBR t o respond i n a d e s i r e d way t o f u t u r e needs,

and t h a t i t s Geotechnical S e c t i o n had reached a v u l n e r a b l e s t a t e t h a t would

endanger t h e c o n t i n u i t y of i t s p r e s e n t r e s e a r c h e f f o r t , p a r t i c u l a r l y w i t h

r e s p e c t t o development i n t h e North. The committee considered t h a t NRC

should have a program f o r meeting t h e long-term r e s e a r c h needs f o r

geotechnique and t h a t

i t s

A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical Research

should have a meaningful r o l e i n i t .

I n response t o t h e conclusions and recommendations of t h e Council review committee, and t o p r o v i d e a proper b a s i s t o respond t o them, DBR

commissioned an in-depth s t u d y of g e o t e c h n i c a l R h D needs i n Canada. The

committee s e t up t o c a r r y o u t t h e s t u d y was i n s t r u c t e d t o look a t t h e s e needs from a broad p o i n t of view, t o i n c l u d e an a p p r a i s a l of c u r r e n t

g e o t e c h n i c a l R h D a c t i v i t y i n Canada, i n c l u d i n g s t r e n g t h s and weaknesses,

and t o recommend how p u b l i c l y funded R h D d i r e c t e d t o i n c r e a s i n g t h e g e n e r a l l e v e l of Canadian g e o t e c h n i c a l competence should be s t r u c t u r e d and

managed. S p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n was t o be given t o t h e r o l e s of DBR and t h e

A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical Research. The r e p o r t of t h e s t u d y , o v e r

250 pages i n l e n g t h along w i t h two volumes of s u p p o r t i n g m a t e r i a l , r e f l e c t s t h e o p i n i o n s and judgments n o t only of t h e committee members b u t a l s o of more than 100 i n d i v i d u a l s from i n d u s t r y , u n i v e r s i t i e s and government

o r g a n i z a t i o n s . The p r i n c i p a l c o n c l u s i o n s and recommendations of t h a t s t u d y

a r e p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s abridgment.

The National Research Council and i t s D i v i s i o n of Building Research wish t o

e x p r e s s t h e i r a p p r e c i a t i o n t o t h e committee. The s t u d y provides a d e t a i l e d

p i c t u r e of c u r r e n t r e s e a r c h a c t i v i t y and t h e f a c t o r s t h a t i n f l u e n c e i t , and of t h e c h a l l e n g e s , o p p o r t u n i t i e s and r e s e a r c h needs f o r Canadian

g e o t e c h n i c a l engineering. I t p r e s e n t s a good b a s i s f o r d e c i s i o n s on a c t i o n s

t h a t should be taken t o e n s u r e t h e continued growth of e f f i c i e n t and e f f e c t i v e g e o t e c h n i c a l p r a c t i c e .

Preface

Executive Summary

1. Objectives of the Study

2. Scope

3.

Methodology

4.

Organization

5.

Framework of Geotechnical

R

&

D

6.

Assessment of Current Capabilities

7. Challenges and Opportunities in Geotechnical

R

&

D

This study was commissioned by the Division of Building Research of the

National Research Council of Canada. Its terms of reference were:

-

To determine the expected challenges and opportunities for Canadian

geotechnical engineering during the 1980s.

-

To identify the major research, development and advances in practice that

will be required to ensure that these challenges and opportunities can be

met successfully by Canadian engineers.

-

To recommend the action that can be taken by the National Research Council

and, in particular, the Division of Building Research and the Associate

Committee on Geotechnical Research to support the required research,

development and advances in practice.

Information was obtained from government departments and agencies,

universities, consultants and industry through submissions, a questionnaire,

interviews and correspondence. More than 130 responses were received and

over

LOO

references reviewed. At least 11 federal government departments

and agencies and several provincial agencies conduct and sponsor

geotechnical research. Research work is in progress in 38 departments at

25

universities.

The principal challenges in geotechnical R

&

D in the 1980s will be to

develop the technology required for construction in new environments, for

example in the Arctic offshore, and to satisfy regulatory and other

requirements, for example with respect to waste management. It is

considered that the number of individuals employed in geotechnical

engineering must double over the next two decades in order to satisfy the

demand that will be generated by expected development and construction work.

The number of geotechnical specialists graduating from universities must

more than double over the next decade to meet this demand.

The committee identified the following areas as being of high priority for

geotechnical practice:

-

Development of methods of disposing and containing toxic wastes.

-

Investigation of irrservice behaviour and performance of structures and

installations.

-

Development of field equipment and instrumentation.

-

Determination of the safety of existing structures.

-

Investigation of failures and exploitation of opportunities of testing

full-scale structures to failure.

-

Investigation of the performance of temporary structures such as

excavations, bracings, linings and cofferdams.

-

Development of geotechnical data banks on a local and regional basis.

-

Improvements in the methods in which results of research and development

are made known and available to geotechnical practitioners.

-

Development of the interfaces between geotechnique and other disciplines

that are becoming increasingly important for geotechnical engineering.

The committee concluded that geotechnical research and development

undertaken specifically for the common good of geotechnical practice is not

well organized and coordinated in Canada. Means exist by which this

situation could be improved, and in making its recommendations the committee

has followed the principle of building on existing strengths. The following

recommendations are directed to the National Research Council of Canada.

Division of Building

Research

-

The Division should maintain an active and enhanced in-house

R

&

D program

to provide an ongoing availability of experienced R

&

D staff.

-

The Division's R

&

D programs, both in-house and by contract, should be

responsive to recommendations from the Associate Committee on Geotechnical

Research.

-

The Division should continue to provide support and assistance as needed

for the Associate Committee on Geotechnical Research, subject to any

future decisions on the status of the ACGR as discussed below.

-

The Division should establish in its annual budget a fund of

$1 million

annually to respond to recommendations from the Associate Committee on

Geotechnical Research for priority research, to be carried out in-house or

by contract. The amount of the fund should increase with time.

-

In cooperation with other government departments, the Division should

undertake an enhanced role in promoting federally funded geotechnical

R

&

D carried out by industry, and assist in mobilizing capabilities in

the private sector for such R

&

D.

-

A

first step in this role should be the establishment of an inventory of

capability for geotechnical R

h

_{D in industry, similar to the Inventory of}

Canadian Research and Development Capabilities for Engineering in Cold

Regions carried out in

1978.

This inventory should focus exclusively on

geotechnique and should earmark facilities and personnel.

-

The Division should continue to be involved with joint R

&

D projects with

industry. Full-scale demonstration projects for technology transfer

should be included.

-

The Division should maintain on-going consultation with industry and

universities to review potential areas of useful research and the

capabilities for doing it.

-

The D i v i s i o n , drawing upon t h e ACGR, should provide a n a d v i s o r y s e r v i c e t o

o t h e r f e d e r a l a g e n c i e s on g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D c a r r i e d o u t i n i n d u s t r y .

-

The Geotechnical S e c t i o n of t h e D i v i s i o n should review w i t h t h e A s s o c i a t e

Committee on Geotechnical Research t h e need t o i n i t i a t e a program t o

develop i n s i t u t e s t i n g equipment i n Canada t h a t w i l l be compatible w i t h

t h e Canadian environment and s o i l c o n d i t i o n s . T h i s a c t i v i t y s h o u l d b e

undertaken i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e f l e d g l i n g i n d u s t r i e s i n Canada

c u r r e n t l y proceeding a l o n g t h e same l i n e . It should a l s o i n c l u d e

s p e c i a l i z e d i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n f o r monitoring of performance of s t r u c t u r e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e i n a r c t i c and o f f s h o r e regions.

-

The D i v i s i o n should review w i t h t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical

Research t h e need t o assume r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r and c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e development of s t a n d a r d s of performance and o p e r a t i o n f o r f i e l d and l a b o r a t o r y equipment f o r i m p o r t a t i o n t o Canada.

-

The D i v i s i o n should encourage u n i v e r s i t i e s and i n d u s t r y t o adopt t h e

p r a c t i c e s u c c e s s f u l l y used i n Europe of having Ph.D. s t u d e n t s work f u l l -

t i m e i n i n d u s t r y o r government l a b o r a t o r i e s towards an " e x t e r n a l degreew.

-

The D i v i s i o n should develop a g e o t e c h n i c a l s t a f f exchange program w i t h

u n i v e r s i t i e s and i n d u s t r y . DBR e n g i n e e r s and s c i e n t i s t s s h o u l d b e

encouraged t o spend a t l e a s t one y e a r i n a Canadian u n i v e r s i t y o r i n d u s t r y every f i v e y e a r s , p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n r e s e a r c h programs and teaching.

Academic and i n d u s t r y s t a f f i n exchange w i t h DBR should p a r t i c i p a t e i n r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t s , seminars and conferences.

NBC

Associate Coaittee on Geotechnical Research

Of t h e government bodies involved w i t h g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D , only t h e NRC h a s

undertaken a c o o r d i n a t i n g r o l e through i t s A s s o c i a t e Committee on

Geotechnical Research. It h a s been s u c c e s s f u l i n b r i n g i n g t o g e t h e r

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e v a r i o u s s e c t o r s and f o c u s s i n g a t t e n t i o n on needed R & D. The committee recommends t h a t :

-

The A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical Research should a c t i v e l y e x p l o r e

means of improving i t s c a p a b i l i t y t o a d v i s e on n a t i o n a l p r i o r i t i e s and

enhance o r g a n i z a t i o n and c o o r d i n a t i o n of g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D i n a l l

s e c t o r s . I f p r a c t i c a b l e means a r e e s t a b l i s h e d , t h e y s h o u l d b e a c t e d upon,

even i f t h i s i n v o l v e s realignment of t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee o r i t s j o i n t

s p o n s o r s h i p w i t h a l i n e department of government. However, t h e e f f e c t s of

any changes should be monitored r e g u l a r l y t o e n s u r e t h a t r e a l b e n e f i t s a r e i n f a c t achieved.

-

To enhance i t s i n f l u e n c e i n government decision-making, t h e A s s o c i a t e

Committee should broaden i t s membership t o i n c l u d e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n from a l l

government departments and agencies having a major i n t e r e s t i n

g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee s h o u l d m a i n t a i n

approximately h a l f i t s membership from i n d u s t r y i n c l u d i n g u s e r s and

-

The Associate Committee should at least be an advisory group on national

geotechnical R

&

D

priorities. Through its membership, it should have a

strong influence on geotechnical

R

&

D

activities initiated by the federal

government and advise whether or not such activities are in the national

interest and fall within a framework of established priorities, are

carried out or supervised by the most appropriate agency, or university,

and are not duplicative of other programs.

-

The Associate Committee should make recommendations to the Natural

Sciences and Engineering Research Council on priorities in areas for

geotechnical grants in both strategic and operating grants programs.

-

The Associate Committee should take direct responsibility for priority

geotechnical research carried out by means of the special fund established

for that purpose by the Division of Building Research as recommended

previously.

-

The Associate Committee should be a principal source of information to

advise the Division of Building Research on geotechnical activities and

initiatives outlined previously. It should have a permanent secretariat

to comnunicate with universities, provincial governments, industry and

international societies relating to geotechnical R

&

D.

-

The Associate Committee should study the need for the transfer of

geotechnical information between all research sectors, keeping in mind the

broad scope of information required in interdisciplinary research on many

problems. The Committee should consider the desirability of acting as a

clearing-house for this purpose, using its secretariat with possible

assistance from the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical

Inf

ormation.

-

The Associate Committee should consider and recommend geotechnical

R

&

D

required for developing countries with a view to assisting technology

transfer and the export of engineering services.

-

Learned society activities of the Associate Committee should be gradually

transferred to the Canadian Geotechnical Society in an orderly fashion.

This would include sponsoring of seminars, technology transfer, etc.

In carrying out the study, the committee considered all the participants in

Canadian geotechnical R

&

D and their roles. Based on the appreciation

provided by this consideration, several recommendations are made that are

directed to the university and private sectors and to the geotechnical

community.

Individuals in the Canadian geotechnical commnity cannot avoid

responsibility for improving practices through the support and exploitation

of research and development. It has the intellectual capacity to meet this

challenge. Unique opportunities exist to develop expertise and knowledge

required both nationally and internationally. What is required is the will

to take advantage of these opportunities through individual and collective

efforts.

1.

OBJECTIVES OF TEE STUDY

T h i s s t u d y was commissioned by t h e D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h of t h e N a t i o n a l R e s e a r c h C o u n c i l of Canada (NRC).

It h a s become i n c r e a s i n g l y a p p a r e n t i n r e c e n t y e a r s t h a t , i n g e o t e c h n i c a l r e s e a r c h and development, t h e r o l e of t h e D i v i s i o n and t h e NRC A s s o c i a t e

Committee on G e o t e c h n i c a l R e s e a r c h i s changing. S t r o n g e r l e a d e r s h i p i s

r e q u i r e d i n p l a n n i n g a n d d i r e c t i n g g e o t e c h n i c a l R 6 _{D, a l o n g w i t h improved}

mechanisms f o r c o n s u l t a t i o n between government, u n i v e r s i t i e s and t h e p r i v a t e

s e c t o r . A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e o b j e c t i v e s of t h e s t u d y a r e :

To d e t e r m i n e t h e e x p e c t e d c h a l l e n g e s and o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r Canadian g e o t e c h n i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g d u r i n g t h e 1980s.

To i d e n t i f y t h e major r e s e a r c h , development and advances i n p r a c t i c e

t h a t w i l l b e r e q u i r e d t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e s e c h a l l e n g e s a n d

o p p o r t u n i t i e s can be met s u c c e s s f u l l y by Canadian e n g i n e e r s .

To recommend t h e a c t i o n t h a t c a n be t a k e n by t h e N a t i o n a l R e s e a r c h C o u n c i l and, i n p a r t i c u l a r , t h e D i v i s i o n o f B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h a n d t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on G e o t e c h n i c a l R e s e a r c h t o s u p p o r t t h e r e q u i r e d r e s e a r c h , development a n d a d v a n c e s i n p r a c t i c e .

2.

SCOPE

The s t u d y i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e a n u p - t o - d a t e p i c t u r e of g e o t e c h n i c a l

r e s e a r c h and development i n Canada. It h a s c o n s i d e r e d

a l l

t h e p l a y e r s a n d

t h e i r r o l e s . F e d e r a l and p r o v i n c i a l government d e p a r t m e n t s and a g e n c i e s ,

u n i v e r s i t i e s and u t i l i t i e s , a n d i n d u s t r i e s and c o n s u l t a n t s i n t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r a r e a l l i n v o l v e d t o v a r y i n g d e g r e e s .

The c a p a b i l i t y of c u r r e n t g e o t e c h n i c a l p r a c t i c e i s a s s e s s e d i n t e r m s of t h e

r e q u i r e m e n t s of t h e 1980s. R e s e a r c h , development and a d v a n c e s i n p r a c t i c e

r e q u i r e d and t h e framework w i t h i n which t h e s e c a n b e s t be a c h i e v e d a r e

c o n s i d e r e d . On t h i s b a s i s , o p i n i o n s a r e e x p r e s s e d o n t h e r o l e s of

p a r t i c i p a n t s and t h e conduct and s u p p o r t of t h e work t h a t i s n e c e s s a r y .

C o n s i d e r a t i o n i s g i v e n t o t h e i m p o r t a n t p a r t p l a y e d by NRC and means by

which i t can b e t t e r s u p p o r t t h e work.

The s t u d y was conducted by a committee composed o f :

D r . J.I. C l a r k , s o l d e r A s s o c i a t e s , C a l g a r y , A l t a . ( c h a i r m a n )

D r . B. L a d a n y i , E c o l e P o l y t e c h n i q u e , M o n t r e a l , Que.

D r . G.G. Meyerhof, T e c h n i c a l U n i v e r s i t y of Nova S c o t i a , H a l i f a x , N.S.

M r . F.L. Peckover, c o n s u l t a n t , a s s i s t e d t h e committee by c o n d u c t i n g s t u d i e s ,

i n t e r v i e w s and o t h e r d e t a i l e d work r e q u i r e d . M r . E. Penner, Head,

G e o t e c h n i c a l S e c t i o n , DBR, s e r v e d a s S e c r e t a r y . The committee m e t e i g h t

t i m e s between November 1980 and J u n e 1982.

I n p u t f o r t h e s t u d y was sought from e v e r y a v a i l a b l e t y p e of s o u r c e i n t h e

g e o t e c h n i c a l comrmnity and r e l a t e d f i e l d s . I n f o r m a t i o n was g a t h e r e d by

l e t t e r s , a q u e s t i o n n a i r e and i n t e r v i e w s from government d e p a r t m e n t s and

a g e n c i e s , u n i v e r s i t i e s , c o n s u l t a n t s and i n d u s t r i e s . The NRC A s s o c i a t e

Committee and t h e Canadian G e o t e c h n i c a l S o c i e t y were g i v e n t h e o p p o r t u n i t y

t o make submissions. Over 130 s u b m i s s i o n s w a s r e c e i v e d ; more t h a n 100

r e f e r e n c e s were s t u d i e d . C o n s i d e r a b l e i n t e r e s t was g e n e r a t e d and many

r e p l i e s were comprehensive and thought-provoking. The committee i s g r a t e f u l

t o a l l c o n t r i b u t o r s , e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e who were c o n s t r u c t i v e l y c r i t i c a l of e x i s t i n g R & D s t r u c t u r e s . The s t u d y i s d i v i d e d i n t o f i v e p a r t s : I n t r o d u c t i o n ( P a r t 1 ) Framework of G e o t e c h n i c a l R & D ( P a r t 2 )

a

Assessment of C u r r e n t C a p a b i l i t i e s ( P a r t 3 )

a

C h a l l e n g e s and O p p o r t u n i t i e s i n G e o t e c h n i c a l R & D ( P a r t

4 )

Recommendations on O r g a n i z a t i o n and P r i o r i t i e s of G e o t e c h n i c a l R & D

( P a r t 5 )

The o r i g i n a l mandate of t h e s t u d y c a l l e d f o r comment Qn t h e v i a b i l i t y of t h e

c o n c e p t of a N a t i o n a l Cold Regions E n g i n e e r i n g F a c i l i t y . I n t h e c o u r s e of

t h e work t h i s t a s k was reduced t o one of s e e k i n g o p i n i o n s from o t h e r s . Responses i n d i c a t e g e n e r a l a p p r o v a l of s u c h a f a c i l i t y , funded j o i n t l y by

government and i n d u s t r y , w i t h some s u g g e s t e d c o n d i t i o n s .

G e o t e c h n i c a l r e s e a r c h and development a r e c a r r i e d o u t t o v a r y i n g d e g r e e s by

a l l s e c t o r s of t h e economy. A t l e a s t 11 f e d e r a l government d e p a r t m e n t s and

a g e n c i e s and s e v e r a l p r o v i n c i a l a g e n c i e s conduct and s p o n s o r r e s e a r c h . I n

u n i v e r s i t i e s , 38 d e p a r t m e n t s i n 25 i n s t i t u t i o n s p a r t i c i p a t e . Many u t i l i t i e s

a r e involved. I n t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r , b o t h i n d u s t r y and c o n s u l t a n t s

u n d e r t a k e g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D on c o n t r a c t o r a s r e q u i r e d f o r s p e c i f i c

p r o j e c t s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e energy f i e l d .

The F e d e r a l Government h a s developed a number of p o l i c i e s and programs f o r

s t r e n g t h e n i n g R & D , and some of t h e s e a r e a p p l i e d t o c a r r y o u t g e o t e c h n i c a l

R & D. Tax i n c e n t i v e s and g r a n t s a r e used t o s u p p o r t s u c h work i n

u n i v e r s i t i e s and t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r . The government h a s proceeded w i t h a

p l a n t o i n c r e a s e n a t i o n a l spending on R & D t o 1.5 p e r c e n t of t h e g r o s s

The National Research Council through its Division of Building Research

(DBR) performe and fosters geotechnical R

&

D for the benefit of the

constkction industry. The Geotechnical Section of the Division does

research on soils, permafrost conditions, and snow and ice. In the planning

of the research program there is staff participation along with input from

the Associate Committee on Geotechnical Research (ACGR), the Canadian

Committee on Building Research, and other sources. However, it is felt that

there are constraints on both staff and budget that restrict the sectional

program to a degree that impairs its ability to meet future national needs.

The Division is closely linked to the NRC Associate Committee on

Geotechnical Research whose activities and influence on research and

development in the geotechnical field in Canada have steadily grown. Its

subcommittees on soil and rock engineering, permafrost, peatlands (formerly

muskeg), snow and ice, marine geotechnical engineering, and urban

engineering terrain problems make recommendations to the Committee on needed

developments and action. Its task groups work on topics such as solid and

liquid waste disposal, geological information systems, ice f

orces, and the

updating of a snow manual. Working liaison is maintained with the Canadian

Geotechnical Society, Canadian National Committee on Rock Mechanics,

Tunnelling Association of Canada, and the Canadian Geoscience Council.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) supports

research in universities and other non-profit organizations through grants

and scholarships. Its main support for geotechnical research is with

operating grants approved by the Civil Engineering and Earth Sciences

selection committees, and to a more limited degree through its Strategic

Grants program.

Many other federal departments and agencies have substantial budgets for

research and development related to the geotechnical field: Agriculture,

Energy, Mines and Resources, Environment, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and

many more (Table 1).

These organizations perform or contract out R

&

D to

assist in their particular missions. Inevitably, interests of departments

overlap in some cases, and the study committee finds that coordination of R

&

D work is lacking. This can lead to inadequate planning and duplication

of work.

Many provincial departments and agencies undertake geotechnical-related

research, mainly by contract with universities but sometimes in-house. In

some cases a province will encourage ties between industry and universities;

an example is the establishment of the Alberta Oil Sands Technology and

Research Authority.

Universities undertake a great deal of geotechnical research funded by

grants and contracts, mainly from government. More industry-university

cooperation in research is highly desirable, but is hampered by a lack of

Ph.D. and postgraduate students and a limited understanding within the

university community of the important problems in need of solution. Some

research centres have been formed in universities to do needed research for

industry, often in interdisciplinary fields.

Agriculture

Land Resource Research Institute Promic Energy of Canada Ltd.

Applied Geoscience Branch Atomic Energy Control Board

Regulatory Research Directorate Energy, Mines and Resources (Em)

GSC - Terrain Sciences Division EHR

-

GSC - Resource Geophysics and

Geochemistry Division

EUR - GSC - Atlantic Geoscience

I entre

FWR - Canada Centre for Xineral and Energy Technology EMR - Division of Seismology and

Geothermal Studies

Environment

-

National Hydrology Research Institute

Environment - National Water Research Institute

lndian and Northern Affairs - Northern Environmental Protection Branch National Defence

R h D Branch

National Research Council Diviston of Building Researcll

Public Works I Regional Economic Expansion - Prairie _; Farm Rehabilitation Administration I

Transport

i

Air Facilities Branch I I

Transport ₁

I n d u s t r y s p o n s o r s a s m a l l p r o p o r t i o n of g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D. The

c o n s t r u c t i o n i n d u s t r y , t h e main b e n e f i c i a r y of s u c h work, i s d i v e r s i f i e d

among many small companies, and hence n o t r e s e a r c h o r i e n t e d .

C o n s u l t a n t s i n t h e g e o t e c h n i c a l f i e l d a r e seldom i n v o l v e d w i t h R & D

c o n t r a c t s f o r l a c k of i n c e n t i v e s , a l t h o u g h t h e i r c a p a b i l i t y i s s i g n i f i c a n t .

The f e d e r a l c o n t r a c t i n g - o u t system i s designed f o r t h e p u r c h a s e of goods

r a t h e r t h a n s e r v i c e s , and p r o f i t margins on R & D c o n t r a c t s a r e s l i m o r

non-existent.

Among t e c h n i c a l and p r o f e s s i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s , t h e Canadian G e o t e c h n i c a l

S o c i e t y (CGS), a c o n s t i t u e n t s o c i e t y of t h e E n g i n e e r i n g I n s t i t u t e of Canada,

p l a y s an a c t i v e r o l e i n encouraging g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D. It c a r r i e s on a

m u l t i t u d e of a c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d i n g p u b l i c a t i o n s , c o n f e r e n c e s , workshops,

l e c t u r e t o u r s and s e m i n a r s , awards and honours. It h a s c l o s e l i a i s o n w i t h

t h e NRC-ACGR and o t h e r n a t i o n a l and i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s .

The Canadian Geoscience C o u n c i l r e p r e s e n t s 12 major Canadian e a r t h s c i e n c e

s o c i e t i e s ( i n c l u d i n g CGS), government and u n i v e r s i t y a g e n c i e s . It

encourages t h e development of g e o s c i e n c e and a d v i s e s t h e f e d e r a l government ( t h r o u g h EMR) on r e l a t e d s c i e n c e p o l i c y , among many o t h e r a c t i v i t i e s .

The Canadian N a t i o n a l Committee f o r Rock Mechanics, a s p e c i a l committee of

t h e Canadian I n s t i t u t e of Mining a n d M e t a l l u r g y , r e p r e s e n t s a l l i n t e r e s t s

concerned w i t h rock mechanics i n Canada. It h a s many a c t i v e subcommittees.

D i s c u s s i o n s a r e b e i n g h e l d t o s e t up a new o r g a n i z a t i o n w i t h membership t o

r e p r e s e n t t h e rock mechanics s e c t o r s of b o t h t h e g e o t e c h n i c a l and mining comnunities.

6 . _ASSES!WEMT

_OF

_CURRENT

_CAPABILITIES

P r e s e n t and p r o j e c t e d r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r manpower and money f o r g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D have been reviewed i n t h i s s t u d y . There a r e a t p r e s e n t a b o u t 1200

g e o t e c h n i c a l e n g i n e e r s i n p r a c t i c e i n a l l s e c t o r s i n Canada. C u r r e n t

manpower r e q u i r e m e n t s a r e b e i n g m e t b u t t h i s p a t t e r n may change

c o n s i d e r a b l y , mainly a s a r e s u l t of e n e r g y - r e l a t e d megaprojects f o r e c a s t f o r

t h e n e x t 20 y e a r s . A s t u d y commissioned by t h e Canadian C o u n c i l of

P r o f e s s i o n a l E n g i n e e r s p r e d i c t s a d o u b l i n g of t h e demand f o r e n g i n e e r s f o r

s u c h p r o j e c t s by 1990. While some of t h e assumptions u s e d i n t h e p r o j e c t i o n

have changed and t h e c u r r e n t r e c e s s i o n w a s n o t c o n s i d e r e d , t h e f i g u r e s c a l l

f o r s e r i o u s c o n s i d e r a t i o n .

On t h e o t h e r hand, a more r e c e n t s t u d y by O t t o e t a l . , U n i v e r s i t y of

A l b e r t a , p r e d i c t s t h a t Canada w i l l have a s u r p l u s of e n g i n e e r s f o r t h e n e x t

few y e a r s and v i r t u a l l y no i n c r e a s e i n demand t o t h e end of t h e decade.

A shortcoming of any e n g i n e e r i n g manpower p r e d i c t i o n model i s i t s i n a b i l i t y

t o d e a l w i t h s p e c i a l i z e d d i s c i p l i n e s r e p r e s e n t i n g o n l y 1 o r 2 p e r c e n t of

t h e t o t a l manpower, s u c h as t h e g e o t e c h n i c a l d i s c i p l i n e . S h i f t s i n s t u d e n t

e n r o l l m e n t a l s o s e r i o u s l y a f f e c t t h e a c c u r a c y of s u c h p r e d i c t i o n s . For

u n i v e r s i t i e s a r e c u r r e n t l y e x p e r i e n c i n g a d e c r e a s e i n c i v i l e n g i n e e r i n g e n r o l l m e n t , which w i l l a f f e c t t h e number of g e o t e c h n i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g g r a d u a t e s .

The scope of g e o t e c h n i q u e h a s broadened s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n r e c e n t y e a r s i n

b o t h c o n v e n t i o n a l p r o j e c t s and megaprojects. Thus t h e growth i n demand f o r

g e o t e c h n i c a l e n g i n e e r s i n t h e p a s t decade w i l l o b v i o u s l y c o n t i n u e a t l e a s t

a t t h e same r a t e f o r t h e n e x t decade; demands w i l l f l u c t u a t e a s b e f o r e b u t

perhaps w i t h s h a r p e r peaks and troughs. The o v e r a l l demand w i l l r e q u i r e

approximately a d o u b l i n g of p r e s e n t g e o t e c h n i c a l manpower i n t h e n e x t two decades.

On t h e s t r e n g t h of p r o j e c t e d economic growth and c o n s i d e r i n g t h e

g e o t e c h n i c a l manpower demand and growth of t h e p a s t decade, i t i s l i k e l y t h a t an a d d i t i o n a l 1000 t o 1200 g e o t e c h n i c a l s t a f f w i l l be r e q u i r e d i n t h e

n e x t decade. T h i s r e p r e s e n t s a compounded growth r a t e of a b o u t 5 t o 6 p e r

c e n t p e r y e a r . I t i s e x p e c t e d t h a t t h e t r e n d of i n c r e a s i n g involvement of

p e o p l e t r a i n e d i n t h e e a r t h s c i e n c e s w i l l c o n t i n u e and w i l l l i k e l y approach

about 30 p e r c e n t of t h e t o t a l by t h e end of t h e decade. Obviously, t h e r e

w i l l a l s o be a t t r i t i o n i n t h e e x i s t i n g g e o t e c h n i c a l comnunity s o t h a t i t i s

l i k e l y t h a t a minimum of a b o u t 1200 a d d i t i o n a l g e o t e c h n i c a l p r o f e s s i o n a l s

w i l l be r e q u i r e d by 1990. A t t h e c u r r e n t l e v e l of p r o d u c t i o n , Canadian

u n i v e r s i t i e s can f i l l about h a l f t h e p r o j e c t e d demand. About h a l f t h e

e x i s t i n g g e o t e c h n i c a l s t a f f a r e p r o d u c t s of f o r e i g n u n i v e r s i t i e s . I n view

of t h e needs of d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s a s w e l l a s developed c o u n t r i e s , i t

would be u n r e a l i s t i c t o e x p e c t more t h a n 20 t o 25 p e r c e n t of r e q u i r e m e n t s

t o be m e t by immigration. Thus, t h e o u t p u t from Canadian u n i v e r s i t i e s must

more t h a n double i n t h e n e x t decade i f manpower needs a r e t o b e met and t h e

needed g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D i s t o g e t done.

Many u n i v e r s i t i e s a r e u n a b l e t o c o n t i n u e p r e s e n t l e v e l s of e n g i n e e r i n g

t r a i n i n g and g r a d u a t e r e s e a r c h work. T h i s i s mainly b e c a u s e of budget c u t s

r e s u l t i n g from government s p e n d i n g r e s t r i c t i o n s , d i f f i c u l t i e s i n a t t r a c t i n g and k e e p i n g s t a f f when h i g h s a l a r i e s p r e v a i l i n i n d u s t r y , and d i f f i c u l t i e s i n a t t r a c t i n g s t u d e n t s t o do p o s t g r a d u a t e s t u d i e s f o r t h e same reason.

I n view of t h e p r o j e c t e d f u t u r e e n g i n e e r i n g manpower demands, i t i s e v i d e n t

t h a t e n g i n e e r i n g e n r o l l m e n t s s h o u l d be g r e a t l y i n c r e a s e d i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e .

I t i s e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h a t more s t u d e n t s be encouraged t o p u r s u e

p o s t g r a d u a t e s t u d i e s i n g e o t e c h n i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g and t h a t e n g i n e e r s i n p r a c t i c e be encouraged t o r e t u r n t o u n i v e r s i t y f o r p o s t g r a d u a t e s p e c i a l i z e d t r a i n i n g .

Although no r e c e n t s u r v e y f i g u r e s a r e a v a i l a b l e , t h e committee h a s drawn u p

t h e f o l l o w i n g e s t i m a t e of t h e s o u r c e s of f u n d i n g f o r g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D i n

a F e d e r a l government departments and a g e n c i e s P r o v i n c i a l governments U n i v e r s i t i e s , through NSERC U n i v e r s i t i e s , through o t h e r s

a

I n s t i t u t e s and a u t h o r i t i e s a C o n s u l t a n t s Others TOTAL $

23.1

m

I n d u s t r y a l s o performs some g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D in-house but t h e v a l u e cannot

be determined.

The f e d e r a l government i s by f a r t h e l a r g e s t s u p p o r t e r of g e o t e c h n i c a l

R & D , accounting f o r o v e r 65 p e r c e n t of t h e

$23.1

m i l l i o n i d e n t i f i e d . Comparing t h e r a t i o of t h e approximate annual r a t e of spending on

g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D t o t h a t on r e l a t e d c o n s t r u c t i o n w i t h t h e r a t i o of t h e

n a t i o n a l average t o t h e GNP, i t i s apparent t h a t t h e g e o t e c h n i c a l component

i s low. A s c o n s t r u c t i o n i s more technology-intensive t h a n many of Canada's l a r g e s t i n d u s t r i e s which a r e resource-based, t h i s comparison may w e l l be c o n s e r v a t i v e .

Baeic

Challenges

The p r i n c i p a l c h a l l e n g e s i n g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D i n t h e decade ahead a r e t h e

advancement of t h e technology r e q u i r e d t o d e a l w i t h c o n s t r u c t i o n and o t h e r a c t i v i t i e s i n unprecedented environments and w i t h unprecedented

r e s t r i c t i o n s . It h a s been s a i d t h a t i n some f i e l d s s u c h a s mining, t h e r e

may be more changes i n t h e next

10

t o

20

y e a r s t h a n t h e r e have been i n t h e

l a s t thousand. C e r t a i n l y i n energy development, t o x i c w a s t e d i s p o s a l , and

o t h e r f i e l d s , t h e l a s t

10

y e a r s have seen a c t i v i t t e s undreamed of n o t l o n g

before. A l l concerned w i t h g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D , and p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e

d i r e c t i n g i t , must recognize t h e r a p i d i t y of changing needs and be p r e p a r e d f o r i t .

Probably t h e most fundamental change i n R & D i s t h e p r e s s i n g need t o be

a b l e t o do i n t e r d i s c i p l i n a r y work. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e committee recommends

t h a t t h e following a r e a s r e c e i v e p r i o r i t y i n g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D:

Study of t h e d i s p o s a l of t o x i c wastes.

Study of t h e i n - s e r v i c e behaviour and performance of s t r u c t u r e s and i n s t a l l a t i o n s .

Development of improved f i e l d equipment and i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n . Study of t h e s a f e t y of e x i s t i n g s t r u c t u r e s .

a C o n s t r u c t i v e study of f a i l u r e s and u s e of o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t e s t i n g

f u l l - s c a l e i n s t a l l a t i o n s t o f a i l u r e .

a _{Monitoring of t h e behaviour of temporary s t r u c t u r e s such a s}

e x c a v a t i o n bracing, l i n i n g and cofferdams. Other important s u b j e c t s a r e d i s c u s s e d i n t h e r e p o r t .

Data Bases

The o r g a n i z a t i o n of b a s i c d a t a i n t o u s e f u l , a c c e s s i b l e form i s e s s e n t i a l i n

e n g i n e e r i n g p r a c t i c e . Only i n t h i s way i s d u p l i c a t i v e e f f o r t avoided. Some

d a t a banks, such a s s u r f i c i a l geology maps, a r e w e l l organized f o r

g e o t e c h n i c a l r e f e r e n c e . Others a r e u r g e n t l y needed. Even e x i s t i n g d a t a a r e

o f t e n n o t used i n g e o t e c h n i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g p r a c t i c e .

The committee recommends t h a t t h e NRC Division of Building Research u s e i t s

i n f l u e n c e t o encourage t h e f o l l o w i n g i n i t i a t i v e s :

P r a c t i s i n g e n g i n e e r s should d i r e c t more a t t e n t i o n t o u s i n g e x i s t i n g d a t a bases and t o c o o p e r a t i n g i n s e t t i n g up needed new ones.

S i t e - s p e c i f i c g e o t e c h n i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n should be assembled i n t o d a t a

banks f o r u s e r e g i o n a l l y o r l o c a l l y . P r o v i n c i a l and municipal

a g e n c i e s should undertake t h i s t a s k t o reduce t h e c u r r e n t waste of

e f f o r t and money s p e n t i n d u p l i c a t i o n of work. S u i t a b l e l e g i s l a t i o n

would be necessary t o e n s u r e t h a t u s e r s of t h e d a t a pay f o r t h e system.

Technical

Inf

orration

An improvement and r e d i r e c t i o n of technology t r a n s f e r i s r e q u i r e d t o

i n c r e a s e t h e relevancy and a v a i l a b i l i t y of t h e p u b l i s h e d r e s u l t s of r e s e a r c h

e f f o r t s . F a r t o o much p o t e n t i a l l y u s e f u l i n f o r m a t i o n from a p p l i e d r e s e a r c h

p r o j e c t s i s b u r i e d away i n r e p o r t s i n a p p r o p r i a t e f o r r e f e r e n c e by t h e u s e r .

Much p r a c t i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n gained by e n g i n e e r s i n p r a c t i c e i s n o t made

a v a i l a b l e t o o t h e r s . The Canada I n s t i t u t e f o r S c i e n t i f i c and T e c h n i c a l

Information (CISTI), w i t h i t s e f f i c i e n t and economical i n f o r m a t i o n systems,

seems almost unknown t o t h e p r a c t i s i n g g e o t e c h n i c a l commnity.

I n t h e a r e a of technology t r a n s f e r t h e r e i s much t o be done t h a t i s h i g h l y

c o s t e f f e c t i v e .

The committee recommends t h a t t h e NRC D i v i s i o n of Building Research u s e i t s

i n £ luence t o encourage t h e f ollowing i n i t i a t i v e s :

Those r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n of g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D f u n d s

should g i v e h i g h p r i o r i t y t o improving t h e s t a t e o f - a p p l i c a t i o r r o f - the-art by enhanced technology t r a n s f e r .

Agencies sponsoring a p p l i e d r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t s should r e q u i r e , a s a c o n d i t i o n of c o n t r a c t , t h a t r e s u l t s be p u b l i s h e d i n a j o u r n a l o r condensed i n t o a r e p o r t f o r t h e user.

CISTI should p u b l i c i z e i t s s e r v i c e s d i r e c t l y t o a l l g e o t e c h n i c a l

e n g i n e e r s i n Canada. The Canadian Geotechnical S o c i e t y should

8.

R E C O ~ A T I O H S

OH

O B G A B I Z b l l I ~ Al9D

PRIORITIES OF

GEOTeCHNICAL

R

&

D

On the basis of the information gathered by the committee, it is concluded

that geotechnical research and development in Canada is, in general, not

well organized or coordinated and there is great difficulty in establishing

priorities reflecting the national interest. This holds true for all three

sectors of the geotechnical community. Existing resources in government,

universities and industry can be used in a more efficient and productive

manner.

These statements should not detract from the fact that a great deal has been

accomplished within the present system. Geotechnology as practised in

Canada is as good as anywhere else in the world. The cooperation between

individuals in government, universities and industry is the envy of many

other countries. The assessment of the current status is, therefore, not so

much a reflection of history but rather an indication of the codttee's

concern about the ability of the Canadian geotechnical community to meet

challenges and benefit from opportunities that will emerge in the coming

decade.

Barir of Recarrendations

The recommendations of the study are based on the fundamental of building on

existing strength rather than creating new and perhaps unnecessary

structures. There is a great deal of strength in the geotechnical commnity

in Canada. Its activities touch almost every physical undertaking by

industry and government. In spite of this, the geotechnical contribution to

the development of Canada has a very low profile within the overall sphere

of science and technology. Funding of geotechnical research within

universities is disproportionately low. The amount of geotechnical

R

&

D

carried out by government is also relatively low and that carried out by

industry is not possible to quantify. The geotechnical commnity has

evidently not communicated in an effective way the benefits that can accrue

to society from an enhanced research and development effort. In spite of

the fact that all three sectors of the Canadian geotechnical comnunity have

a substantial

R

&

D

capability, a development and coordination structure has

not emerged.

Thus, the recommendations that are presented reflect the committee's

conclusions on what changes should be made to the overall structure, and

what the roles of the various participants should be in order to generate

the most efficient use of people and equipment and provide an improved

climate for training and education of geotechnical engineers.

Federal Gore-nt Geotechnical R & D

The federal government and its agencies are the largest single employer of

geotechnical staff in Canada. This staff is influential in directing

federal expenditures on geotechnical

R

&

D,

amounting to more than 60 per

cent of the identifiable funding for such work.

Geotechnical R & D work i n v o l v e s many departments and agencies. Most a c t i v e a r e t h e N a t i o n a l Research Council, Departments of A g r i c u l t u r e , Energy, Mines

and Resources, Environment and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. S u b s t a n t i a l

c o n t r i b u t i o n s a r e a l s o made by t h e Departments of P u b l i c Works, T r a n s p o r t ,

National Defence, and I n d i a n and Northern A f f a i r s . It would be a n

a p p r o p r i a t e and u s e f u l e x e r c i s e f o r a l l government a g e n c i e s i n v o l v e d i n

g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D t o review t h e i r r o l e s and s t a t e t h e i r o b j e c t i v e s .

I n l i g h t of t h e announced government p o l i c y f o r i n c r e a s e d R & D spending, i t

i s c l e a r t h a t t h e f e d e r a l government bodies involved w i t h g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D

w i l l have t o assume a g r e a t e r r o l e i n l e a d e r s h i p .

While recognizing t h a t t h e r e i s no c u r r e n t framework t o enhance t h e

c o o r d i n a t i o n of g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D, t h e r e i s indeed t h e b a s i s f o r s u c h a

framework. S p e c i f i c a l l y , t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical Research

could be r e s t r u c t u r e d and perhaps r e a l i g n e d t o undertake a n expanded r o l e which could provide a v a l u a b l e s e r v i c e t o a l l government departments and

o t h e r s involved i n g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D.

During i t s e x i s t e n c e , t h e ACGR has accomplished a g r e a t d e a l i n f o c u s s i n g

a t t e n t i o n on needed R & D. It h a s done t h i s through s t u d i e s and

recommendations of i t s subcommittees and t a s k groups, workshops and

conferences. It h a s always i n c l u d e d r e p r e s e n t a t i o n from government,

u n i v e r s i t y and i n d u s t r y s e c t o r s .

I n t h e course of t h i s s t u d y t h e need t o b e t t e r o r g a n i z e and c o o r d i n a t e

g e o t e c h n i c a l r e s e a r c h h a s been s t r o n g l y i n d i c a t e d . Some respondents have

suggested t h a t t h e r o l e of t h e ACGR be expanded t o i n c l u d e t h e s e f u n c t i o n s . O t h e r s c o r r e c t l y p o i n t o u t t h a t t h e ACGR r e p o r t s e s s e n t i a l l y t o NRC, which

i s not a l i n e department i n government, has no p o l i c y f u n c t i o n , and i s n o t

r e p r e s e n t e d d i r e c t l y i n Cabinet. For t h i s reason, recommendations of t h e

ACGR do not r e c e i v e c o n s i d e r a t i o n a t t h e p o l i t i c a l and policy-making l e v e l .

There a r e o t h e r precedents f o r reaching and implementing important d e c i s i o n s

i n R & D: i n t e r d e p a r t m e n t a l committees i n government, a d v i s o r y committees

i n i n d i v i d u a l departments, and s o on.

A l l have been examined, and i t i s concluded t h a t none of t h e s e mechanisms

a r e s u i t a b l e f o r t h e p r o p e r o r g a n i z a t i o n , c o o r d i n a t i o n and d i r e c t i o n of

g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D. Indeed, none have t h e i n h e r e n t advantages of t h e ACGR

i n b r i n g i n g a l l s e c t o r s t o g e t h e r t o r e a c h d e c i s i o n s of mutual b e n e f i t . The

conclusion i s , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t t h e ACGR should be maintained and i t s

s t r e n g t h s used t o t h e f u l l e s t and b u i l t upon.

The ACGR would not approve p r o j e c t s but i t could i d e n t i f y r e q u i r e d t h r u s t s , make recommendations and p r o v i d e a d v i c e which would enhance g e o t e c h n i c a l

R & D work and i t s b e n e f i t t o t h e g e o t e c h n i c a l comnunity a t l a r g e . Used i n t h i s c a p a c i t y , t h e ACGR could h e l p e l i m i n a t e c o s t l y o v e r l a p and d u p l i c a t i o n

of f e d e r a l government a c t i v i t i e s . Such a procedure could a l s o make optimum

u s e of t h e f a c i l i t i e s and e x p e r i e n c e of t h e NRC D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g Research.

Recommendations f o l l o w f o r t h e NRC D i v i s i o n of Building Research and f o r t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical Research.

NBC

Dlvielon of Building

Research

The committee i s of t h e o p i n i o n t h a t DBR/NRC, because of i t s s t a t u r e and

p a s t involvement, i s i n a unique p o s i t i o n t o p r o v i d e l e a d e r s h i p and enhance

t h e growth of g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D. A t t h e same t i m e , t h e committee b e l i e v e s

t h a t , a t l e a s t f o r t h e n e a r f u t u r e , t h e r o l e s of DBR and t h e ACGR s h o u l d

c o n t i n u e t o i n t e r a c t . The recommendations p r e s e n t e d below a r e viewed by t h e

committee a s " f i r s t s t e p s " i n working towards a n enhanced g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D

a c t i v i t y and c l i m a t e . The recommendations a r e b e l i e v e d t o l i e w i t h i n t h e

announced f e d e r a l government R & D p o l i c y , t o be i n t h e n a t i o n a l i n t e r e s t ,

and t o r e f l e c t t h e b e s t p o s s i b l e u s e of p u b l i c funds under p r e s e n t

circumstances. The committee recommends t h a t :

The D i v i s i o n should maintain on a c t i v e and enhanced in-house R & D

program t o provide a n ongoing a v a i l a b i l i t y of experienced R & D

s t a f f .

The D i v i s i o n ' s R & D programs, both in-house and by c o n t r a c t , s h o u l d

be r e s p o n s i v e t o recommendations from t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical Research.

The D i v i s i o n should c o n t i n u e t o provide s u p p o r t and a s s i s t a n c e a s needed f o r t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical Research, s u b j e c t t o any f u t u r e d e c i s i o n s on t h e s t a t u s of t h e ACGR a s d i s c u s s e d

below.

The D i v i s i o n should e s t a b l i s h i n i t s annual budget a fund of

$1 m i l l i o n a n n u a l l y t o respond t o recommendations from t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on Geotechnical Research f o r p r i o r i t y r e s e a r c h , t o be

c a r r i e d o u t in-house o r by c o n t r a c t . The amount of t h e fund s h o u l d

i n c r e a s e w i t h t i m e .

R e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e P r i v a t e S e c t o r

a

I n c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h o t h e r government departments, t h e D i v i s i o n

should u n d e r t a k e a n enhanced r o l e i n promoting f e d e r a l l y funded

g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D c a r r i e d o u t by i n d u s t r y , and a s s i s t i n m o b i l i z i n g

c a p a b i l i t i e s i n t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r f o r s u c h R & D.

A f i r s t s t e p i n t h i s r o l e should be t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a n

inventory of c a p a b i l i t y f o r g e o t e c h n i c a l R 6 D i n i n d u s t r y , s i m i l a r t o t h e Inventory of Canadian Research and Development C a p a b i l i t i e s

f o r Engineering i n Cold Regions c a r r i e d o u t i n 1978. T h i s i n v e n t o r y

should focus e x c l u s i v e l y on geotechnique and should earmark f a c i l i t i e s and personnel.

The D i v i s i o n should continue t o be involved w i t h j o i n t R & D

p r o j e c t s w i t h i n d u s t r y . F u l l - s c a l e demonstration p r o j e c t s f o r

technology t r a n s f e r should be included.

The D i v i s i o n should maintain on-going c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h i n d u s t r i e s and u n i v e r s i t i e s t o review p o t e n t i a l a r e a s of u s e f u l r e s e a r c h and t h e c a p a b i l i t i e s f o r doing i t .

The D i v i s i o n , drawing upon t h e ACGR, s h o u l d p r o v i d e a n a d v i s o r y

s e r v i c e t o o t h e r f e d e r a l a g e n c i e s on g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D c a r r i e d o u t

i n i n d u s t r y .

The G e o t e c h n i c a l S e c t i o n of t h e D i v i s i o n s h o u l d review w i t h t h e A s s o c i a t e Commi t t e e on G e o t e c h n i c a l Research t h e need t o i n i t i a t e a program t o develop i n s i t u t e s t i n g equipment i n Canada which w i l l b e

c o m p a t i b l e w i t h t h e Canadian environment and s o i l c o n d i t i o n s . T h i s

a c t i v i t y s h o u l d be t a k e n i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e f l e d g l i n g

i n d u s t r i e s i n Canada c u r r e n t l y p r o c e e d i n g a l o n g t h e same l i n e . It

s h o u l d a l s o i n c l u d e s p e c i a l i z e d i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n f o r m o n i t o r i n g of performance of s t r u c t u r e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e i n a r c t i c and o f f s h o r e r e g i o n s .

The D i v i s i o n s h o u l d review w i t h t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on G e o t e c h n i c a l R e s e a r c h t h e need t o assume r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r and c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e development of s t a n d a r d s of performance and o p e r a t i o n f o r f i e l d and l a b o r a t o r y equipment f o r i m p o r t a t i o n t o Canada.

R e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h U n i v e r s i t i e s

The D i v i s i o n s h o u l d encourage u n i v e r s i t i e s and i n d u s t r y t o adopt t h e

p r a c t i c e s u c c e s s f u l l y u s e d i n Europe of having Ph.D. s t u d e n t s work

f u l l time i n i n d u s t r y o r government l a b o r a t o r i e s towards a n " e x t e r n a l degree".

DBR s h o u l d develop a g e o t e c h n i c a l s t a f f exchange program w i t h

u n i v e r s i t i e s and i n d u s t r y . DBR e n g i n e e r s and s c i e n t i s t s s h o u l d b e

encouraged t o spend a t least one y e a r i n a Canadian u n i v e r s i t y o r

i n d u s t r y e v e r y f i v e y e a r s , p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n r e s e a r c h programs and

t e a c h i n g . Academic and i n d u s t r y s t a f f i n exchange w i t h DBR s h o u l d

p a r t i c i p a t e i n r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t s , s e m i n a r s and c o n f e r e n c e s .

Of t h e government b o d i e s i n v o l v e d w i t h g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D , o n l y t h e NRC h a s

u n d e r t a k e n a c o o r d i n a t i n g r o l e through i t s A s s o c i a t e Committee on

G e o t e c h n i c a l Research. It h a s been s u c c e s s f u l i n b r i n g i n g t o g e t h e r

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e v a r i o u s s e c t o r s and f o c u s s i n g a t t e n t i o n on needed

R & D. However, i t i s n o t i n a p o s i t i o n t o promote R C _{D on s e l e c t e d}

n a t i o n a l p r i o r i t i e s o r c o o r d i n a t e r e s e a r c h i n t h e v a r i o u s s e c t o r s , and hence b a l a n c e t h e o v e r a l l g e o t e c h n i c a l r e s e a r c h e f f o r t .

A r e s t r u c t u r i n g o r r e a l i g n m e n t of t h e ACGR t o u n d e r t a k e a n expanded r o l e

c o u l d p r o v i d e a v a l u a b l e s e r v i c e t o government d e p a r t m e n t s and a l l o t h e r s

involved i n g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D. A t t h e l e a s t i t could i d e n t i f y r e q u i r e d

t h r u s t s and p r i o r i t y n e e d s , make recommendations and p r o v i d e a d v i c e which

would enhance g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D work and i t s b e n e f i t t o t h e community a t

l a r g e . Used i n t h i s c a p a c i t y , t h e ACGR c o u l d h e l p e l i m i n a t e o v e r l a p and

d u p l i c a t i o n of f e d e r a l government a c t i v i t i e s and t h o s e i n u n i v e r s i t i e s and

t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r . I n a d d i t i o n , a r e s t r u c t u r e d ACGR s h o u l d mean a d e c r e a s e

i n o v e r a l l management of g e o t e c h n i c a l - r e l a t e d R C _{D by p r o v i d i n g a more}

proposed i s t o b u i l d on e x i s t i n g s t r e n g t h s r a t h e r t h a n i n t r o d u c e a d u p l i c a t i v e c o m p e t i t i v e e f f o r t .

The committee recommends t h a t :

a The Associate Committee on Geotechnical Research should a c t i v e l y

e x p l o r e means of improving i t s c a p a b i l i t y t o a d v i s e on n a t i o n a l p r i o r i t i e s and enhance o r g a n i z a t i o n and c o o r d i n a t i o n of g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D i n a l l s e c t o r s . I f p r a c t i c a b l e means a r e e s t a b l i s h e d , they should be a c t e d upon, even i f t h i s involves realignment of t h e

A s s o c i a t e Committee o r i t s j o i n t sponsorship w i t h a l i n e department

of government. However, t h e e f f e c t s of any changes should be

monitored r e g u l a r l y t o e n s u r e t h a t r e a l b e n e f i t s a r e i n f a c t achieved.

a _{To enhance} i t s i n f l u e n c e i n government d e c i s i o n m a k i n g , t h e

A s s o c i a t e Committee should broaden i t s membership t o i n c l u d e

r e p r e s e n t a t i o n from a l l government departments and agencies having a

major i n t e r e s t i n g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e A s s o c i a t e

Committee should maintain approximately h a l f i t s membership from i n d u s t r y i n c l u d i n g u s e r s and c o n s u l t a n t s , and f o u r o r f i v e members from u n i v e r s i t i e s .

a _{The A s s o c i a t e Committee should a t l e a s t be an advisory group on}

n a t i o n a l g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D p r i o r i t i e s . Through i t s membership, i t

should have a s t r o n g i n f l u e n c e on g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D a c t i v i t i e s

i n i t i a t e d by t h e f e d e r a l government and a d v i s e whether o r n o t s u c h a c t i v i t i e s a r e i n t h e n a t i o n a l i n t e r e s t and f a l l w i t h i n a framework of e s t a b l i s h e d p r i o r i t i e s , a r e c a r r i e d o u t o r s u p e r v i s e d by t h e most a p p r o p r i a t e agency, o r u n i v e r s i t y , and a r e n o t d u p l i c a t i v e of o t h e r programs.

The Associate Committee should make recommendations t o t h e N a t u r a l Sciences and Engineering Research Council on p r i o r i t i e s i n a r e a s f o r g e o t e c h n i c a l g r a n t s i n both s t r a t e g i c and o p e r a t i n g g r a n t s

programs.

a _{The Associate Committee should t a k e d i r e c t r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r}

p r i o r i t y g e o t e c h n i c a l r e s e a r c h c a r r i e d o u t by means of t h e s p e c i a l fund e s t a b l i s h e d f o r t h a t purpose by t h e D i v i s i o n of Building Research a s recommended p r e v i o u s l y .

a The Associate Committee should be a p r i n c i p a l source of i n f o r m a t i o n

t o a d v i s e t h e D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g Research on g e o t e c h n i c a l

a c t i v i t i e s and i n i t i a t i v e s o u t l i n e d previously. It should have a

permanent s e c r e t a r i a t t o communicate w i t h u n i v e r s i t i e s , p r o v i n c i a l governments, i n d u s t r y and i n t e r n a t i o n a l s o c i e t i e s r e l a t i n g t o

g e o t e c h n i c a l R & D.

The Associate Committee should s t u d y t h e need f o r t h e t r a n s f e r of g e o t e c h n i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n between a l l r e s e a r c h s e c t o r s , keeping i n mind t h e broad scope of information r e q u i r e d i n i n t e r d i s c i p l i n a r y

r e s e a r c h on many problems. The Committee should c o n s i d e r t h e

d e s i r a b i l i t y of a c t i n g a s a clearing-house f o r t h i s purpose, u s i n g i t s s e c r e t a r i a t w i t h p o s s i b l e a s s i s t a n c e from t h e Canada I n s t i t u t e f o r S c i e n t i f i c and Technical Information.