International Cooperation in Geotechnical Experimentation Sites

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The approach to site characterization and the quantification of soil behavior by geotechnical engineers has undergone significant changes during the last twenty years. However a major obstacle continues to be the lack of well- characterized and well-documented field sites for geotechnical engineering experiments. The availability, use, upgrading and management of geotechnical experimentation sites was discussed at a workshop at the University of New Hampshire, September 26-28, 1988. It was recognized that several foreign countries are well ahead of the United States in the use of experimentation sites for geotechnical engineering research. Subsequent to this meeting, the principal investigators initiated a project to better document the existing experimentation sites in the United States so as to make this information available to potential users of these sites. An NSF/Federal Highways Administration workshop in Orlando, FL during December 1991 selected sites to be developed as national experimentation sites. Professor Benoit is currently in Europe on sabbatical leave. This action is to support visits by him to the various organizations responsible for the existing national experimentation sites in the United Kingdom, France and Italy. This will permit Professor Benoit to discuss with these organizations their site and data management structures so that similar programs in the United States can benefit from this information and experience.