On 16th March, we attended the BGA’s 56th Rankine Lecture held at Imperial College, London. Professor Richard Jardine delivered the Lecture on “Geotechnics & Energy". He considered the pressing problem of ensuring vital energy supplies while also recognising, mitigating and dealing with the climate consequences of fossil fuel consumption.

The Lecture emphasised that integrating geology and rigorous analysis with advanced laboratory and field experiments is the key to resolving the complex geotechnical problems raised; careful full-scale field monitoring is also essential to checking reliability in practice. A collaborative approach is vital to such multi-faceted research and the contributions of the Speaker's International and British co-workers were recognised throughout the Lecture.

The Rankine Lecture is widely viewed as the most prestigious of the invited lectures in geotechnics. It commemorates WJM Rankine, Professor of Civil Engineering at Glasgow University, who was one of the first engineers in the UK to make a significant contribution to soil mechanics. He is best known for his theory for the earth pressure on retaining walls.

Did you know?… In even-numbered years, the lecturer is from the UK. In odd-numbered years, the lecturer is from outside the UK.

We had a superb four course meal and it was a great opportunity to mix with our clients and fellow colleagues within the industry. Congratulations to the winner of our raffle donation of a meal at Shaka Zulu, London.