On behalf of my colleagues at the University of Cambridge, I would like to welcome you all to the Tenth International Symposium on Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground. The community of geotechnical professionals and academics with particular interest in underground construction in soft ground is a very special community; the symposium will once again bring together academia and industry, providing an opportunity for open dialogue and new insights into practice and research.
As per the usual format for this event, we will have two days of presentations and discussions followed by a site visit to London’s Thames Tideway project. The tunnelling and deep excavation works for the new 25 km ‘super sewer’, which will run through the centre of London close to many of London’s key historic buildings, will provide a very interesting and engaging technical visit for the delegates.
With over 150 submissions to this symposium, the sessions will no doubt be stimulating and thought-provoking covering a wide range of topics related to tunnelling and deep excavations in soft ground. There will be ample opportunity to meet with colleagues at the Welcome Reception in the beautiful grounds of Jesus College and at the dinner in the historic dining hall of St John’s College.
Cambridge is a wonderful destination; it also has huge cultural appeal, a wide variety of arts and entertainment and many attractions including the well-known colleges of the university, the libraries, churches, the famous college gardens and no visit to Cambridge would be complete without experiencing punting on the River Cam. Cambridge is at its best during the months of June and July and we are very much looking forward to see you here.
Professor Lord Robert Mair
Conference Chair
Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of Research at Cambridge University