Presented by D.V Griffiths, Ph.D., DSc, D.GE, P.E., C.Eng – Colorado School of Mines

Geotechnical engineering has seen a rapid growth of interest in risk assessment methodologies. This seems a logical evolution, since soils and rocks are among the most variable of all engineering materials, and geotechnical engineers must often make do with the materials they have at any specific site. A probabilistic analysis may lead to a “probability of failure”, as opposed to the traditional “factor of safety”, representing a fundamental shift in the way engineers need to think about the suitability of their designs. The seminar will review some of the benefits and potential pitfalls of these different approaches, and describe some introductory methods of probabilistic analysis.

Vaughan Griffiths is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines and Chair of the ASCE/G-I Technical Committee on Risk Assessment and Management (RAM). His primary research interests lie in the application of finite element and risk assessment methodologies in civil engineering. He has written over 320 research papers, including some of the most highly cited in the geotechnical engineering research literature. He is the co-author of three textbooks on finite elements, risk assessment and numerical methods that have gone into multiple editions including the Chinese language. He gives regular short-courses for practitioners on risk and finite element applications in geotechnical engineering both in the US at G-I Symposia and for ASCE Continuing Ed, and overseas, with courses recently given in Canada, Australia, Colombia, and Norway.

• 6:00 PM Social Hour 
  
• 7:00 PM Dinner 
  
• 8:00 PM Presentation
  

Early Bird Registration available until 2/2/2018.

For more questions, please contact Mr. Matthew Geary. Online registration is highly encouraged and payments can be made with credit card. Only cash or checks will be accepted at the door.