An It Based Approach to Assessing Some of the Issues Linked to Problematic Soils

This paper presents a new methodology whereby the cumulative factors associated with the issues that may arise during construction on problematic soils may be addressed. In particular a computer based methodology is presented, which enables various factors of relevance to be considered in a methodical fashion. The new methodology makes use of a Geographical Information System (GIS) as the fundamental building block upon which the approach is based. Extensions of the basic GIS approach to include a combination of i) underground conditions, ii) structural performance and iii) economic and social factors are considered. The work makes use of classical GIS type "layers of information", superimposed on one another, to identify areas of major concern. The approaches considered to overcome the many challenges encountered when tackling such multi-disciplinary problems are presented. Data which adequately describe three dimensional underground structures and forms need to be manipulated, in conjunction with geographical space and layout, which in turn need to be combined with economic impact and social inclusion information. An insight will be given of the range and types of data fields that need to be accommodated in such an approach, with solutions that can be achieved via neural networks and self learning techniques highlighted.