scope:

Preface

The Embankments, Dams and Slopes Committee of the Geo-Institute met during the Geo-I.ogan Specialty Conference and agreed to sponsor a multisession event on the heritage and future of geotechnical engineering ut the 1998 ASCE Convention in Boston. The stated objective of the event was to bring together a distinguished group of geotechnical engineers to address practicing engineers about the heritage of our profession and provide a preview of what to expect in the not-to-distant future. Our intention in organizing this event was to instill a sense of pride among the audience as to what the geotechnical profession has accomplished and create a measure of excitement about where the profession is headed. The program far exceeded our expectations.

The presentations at the three sessions that comprised the event provided historical and futurist assessments of geotechnical engineering, discussed innovative methodologies for solving important geotechnical problems, and addressed topics related to societal responsibilities and the impact of society on the environment, lire success of the program led to requests for publication of a proceedings that would capture the essence of the moment. The editors trust that this book fulfills this need.

This symposium reflects a joint effort between the Embankments. Dams and Slopes Committee of the Geo-Institute of ASCE and the organizers of Geo-Congress 98. The editors would like to thank the authors for contributing twice, first with their oral presentations and subsequently with written versions of their presentations. We also wish to thank Prof. Charles C. Ladd and Dr. Thomas K. Liu, the organizing committee of Geo-Congress 98, the staff of ASCE, and particularly Charlotte McNaughton for her patience during the time we took to compile, review, and assemble this publication.