Conference on Geotechnical Monitoring Challenges

Participants join this session to gain insights from one of the foremost experts in geotechnical engineering on how to modernize their approach to field monitoring. For many engineers and project managers, the primary motivation is learning how to justify the cost of instrumentation to skeptical owners by focusing on risk management rather than just technical metrics. The lecture provides a rare opportunity to hear about the practical "behind-the-scenes" challenges of major infrastructure projects, such as handling false alarms in automated systems and adjusting limit values based on real-time site performance. Additionally, the session appeals to those interested in emerging technologies like fiber optics and InSAR, offering a roadmap for how these tools can be integrated into traditional geotechnical workflows to enhance project safety and efficiency.

This presentation features the inaugural Dunnicliff Honorary Lecture delivered by Dr. W. Allen Marr at the 11th International Symposium on Field Monitoring in Geomechanics (ISSMGE). Dr. Marr, CEO of Geocomp, honors the legacy of John Dunnicliff, a pioneer in geotechnical instrumentation, by discussing the transition from traditional monitoring to risk-based performance assessment. The lecture underscores the critical shift from simply collecting data to providing "value statements" that quantify saved time, money, and reduced risk for project owners. Dr. Marr uses several high-stakes case studies—including the Boston Big Dig and large-scale dam projects—to demonstrate how effective monitoring can reduce the probability of failure by orders of magnitude. The session concludes with a call for "champions" on every project to ensure monitoring budgets are protected and that data remains actionable and trustworthy.

Source: Geocomp Inc. [Youtube]

- The Legacy of John Dunnicliff

- Quantifying Risk Reduction

- Value of the "Big Dig" Monitoring

- Real-Time Data Challenges

- Lessons from Brumadinho

- Emerging Technologies

- The Need for Project Champions