This week I started to get stuck into the more strategic aim of my placement, which is to build ground engineering capability within the MASS engineering team. Up to now I have either been really busy on project work or checking things on site, or just generally trying to find my feet. But the purpose of the placement is not so much for me to do design work myself, but to leave the team in a better position to make geotechnical decisions after I leave.
With that in mind, this week I delivered the first in a series of six (hopefully!) workshops on ground engineering. This one covered basic soil mechanics, the idea being that it would be a refresher for those who covered some geotechnics at university or a basic introduction for those who didn’t. I wanted to make sure that everyone understands the terms and concepts that will be used in later sessions on things like foundation design, and also to get everyone to a point where they can read a standard geotechnical textbook without being confused and terrified by the terminology.
Workshopping with Aimable, James, Obed, Christian, Shakira, Charlotte, Alexia and Zani
Before delivering the session I really had no idea whether the content was way too basic or much too advanced. Given the range of experience in the team, it seemed likely that it would be both at once! I was surprised and pleased to find that I’d managed to pitch it about right. Various members of the team asked great questions which showed they understood what I was talking about, and also brought some really interesting examples from their own experience for discussion.
On Thursday I went to visit a local soil testing laboratory run by a company called GeoConsult. Alexia, Zani and I were given a tour by the lab manager Fabrice and lab technician Robert. It was really interesting to see their test facilities and learn more about their capabilities. It was also great to chat about ground engineering with Fabrice, who is a true enthusiast for the subject – the kind of person who spontaneously brings Karl Terzaghi into conversations. Anyone who knows me will know that’s a sure fire way to win me over.
Fabrice and Robert explaining oedometer testing
The road above the lab is currently under construction, and access to the lab is via this very solid bridge over a 3 m deep trench! My colleagues were not impressed.
Rwanda Geotechnics 