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Proceedings of the 18
th
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Paris 2013
Peter Assinder, form Germany company HUESKER Synthetic
GmbH, 01 de November 2012.
Theme: Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering
This presentation was well attended. There were several
questions at the end of the presentation which indicated that the
audience had a keen grasp on the contents of the presentation.
The society realized that, Geosynthetics could be a very
important area of attention for next years in Mozambique. This
presentation included several slides on geotechnical/erosion
problems around Maputo and presented on potential
geosynthetic solutions to these problems.
Two presentations were prepared by Silva Cardoso - Vice-
Rector and Professor of Geotechnics in Porto University,
Portugal - 15 and 21 June 2012
Presentation 1: Stability of Excavations
Presentation 2: Evaluation of Safety in Geotechnics
These two presentations was attended by more than 100 people
Ricardo Nicolas - geotechnical Engineer, from company
RODIO - Portugal, operating in Mozambique - 28 September
2011
Cases of Errors in Execution of Geotechnical Works - Pile
Walls, Piled Foundation, Jet Grouting and Type Solutions.
The presentation was attended by many civil
engineers, designers, site supervisors of projects,
academics and other interested people.
Some other actions were done, supported by SMG.
Companies from Portugal, Germany, South Africa have
interacted with SMG and presented their communications in
workshop or seminars in Maputo. These companies are not
limited on geotechnics, but in structures, hydrogeology,
geosynthetics, etc.
SMG also encourage and support young engineers to follow
geotechnics and their participation in the national and
international events. The society is supporting the participation
of young engineers in the Conference of Paris for Young
Geotechnical Engineers, this year. Promotes also the
participation of senior engineers and encourage all to research
and present their conclusions in conferences financed by society
via sponsored packages from companies.
4. Perspectives and Vision for the Future and Last
Remarks
The main issue to improve the Society is promotion and
shows the advantages of membership and affiliation.
Promotional workshops are very necessary, there still many
people who don't understand the importance of Geotechnics.
Contractors, designers and other intervenient in civil
engineering must be called to disseminate the importance of this
knowledge. Mobilization is always in course to achieve this
objective.
Arrangements for conferences and short courses are very
important for actual stage in Mozambique.
At the moment, in north and centre of Mozambique there are a
lot of new big projects, mainly in coal and gas. Environmental
aspects will be very important on these projects and SMG
should be in good position to approach to this side. A lot of
slopes, excavations and other geotechnical structures will be
executed there.
Slowly, people are understanding the advantages and
important of Geotechnics in Mozambique. SMG is planning to
support the participation of a small delegation to the 8th
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical
Engineering from September 2 to 6th 2013, Paris (France).
A great expectative is in mind to discuss with other societies
and colleagues, the way to improve cooperation in geotechnical
Engineering.
iv) GHANA
REPORT ON ENGAGEMENTS OF GHANA
GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY (GGS) 2012
Membership
During the past years, membership of GGS has seen fairly
good increase over the past years. Currently total number of
members in our books stands at fifty-four (54). However about
twenty (20) could be said to be active.
International Seminar
In March 2012, GGS provided the platform to the
International Geosynthetic Society (IGS) for the organization of
international geosynthetic workshop in Ghana. The event
attracted satisfactory attendance of forty-eight (48). Technical
sessions were handled by three IGS council officers. After this
workshop GGS initiated the formation of a local chapter of IGS
and it will be hosting the African Conference on geosynthetics
termed GeoAfrica 2013 starting 18th November 2013.
Executives
GGS had its mandated executives in place during the 2012
annual general meeting (AGM). The following members, as
stipulated by the constitution, were elected to manage GGS for
the 2012 to 2014 period:
• President Prof. S.I.K Ampadu
• Secretary Joseph Oddei
• Treasurer Kweku Mensah-Solomon
• Member Dr. Simon K. Gawu
• Member John Kemeh
MEETINGS
The GGS held a meeting on June 5th 2012. The meeting
saw the need for a committee to look into ethics in geotechnical
practice in Ghana. An ethics committee under the chairmanship
of Dr. Akayuli was set up. The committee presented its report
during the AGM on 31st July 2012. The committee
recommended that the Ghana Geotechnical society follows the
general professional practice and ethics of the Ghana Institution
of Engineers. In addition, the following ISSMGE documents
were reviewed: Guidelines for Professional Practice (March
2004), Appointment of a Geotechnical consultant (Feb 2005),
Geotechnical Ground Investigation (Feb 2005). A committee to
compile a database of geotechnical subsurface profiles in Ghana
was put in place. All members were requested to deposit copies
of their geotechnical investigations with the committee.
v) TUNISIA
ACTIVITIES LED BY THE TUNISIAN SOCIETY FOR
SOIL MECHANICS (ATMS) SINCE 2010
Main activities led the ATMS are summarized below. The
programme consisted of several national technical
meetings/seminars and international Seminars.
1. French Maghrebin Conference in Geotechnical
Engineering (December, 09-11 2010)
Held in Tunis, it was the first conference of series “
French
Maghrebin Conference”
organized by the Geotechnical
Maghrebin Group to boost the activities between Meghrebin GE
with the assistance provided by the UISF* (UNESCO). Indeed,
this latter launched three Maghrebin groups, among which the
Geotechnical Maghrebin Group, under the label “Science and
technology for the Development of Maghreb”.
2. Technical education in geophysics applied to
geotechnical engineering 27 may 2011 in tunis.
3. Technical education in jet grouting, 25 May 2012
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