Sustainable geotechnics

Abstract

"Sustainable Geotechnics" may be considered as a discipline in ground engineering, appearing recently in the construction industry in response to the emerging Low Carbon Economy concerning the global challenges of climate change, diminishing fossil fuel reserves, and environmental management. In the UK Low Carbon Economy is often considered in terms of 'decarbonisation' of buildings, transport, industry, and power sector. This is to be addressed using a wide variety of sustainable approaches, which produce great challenges and opportunities to ground engineers. This paper discusses how the emerging Low Carbon Economy will affect the design and construction of low-carbon buildings and infrastructure as well as innovation covering some of the sustainable approaches recognized by ground engineering communities.