International Project of the Year Award

This award recognises projects that have delivered geotechnical excellence and stand out on the international stage between January 2024 and January 2025.

Entrants must demonstrate their projects’ credentials in sustainability, health and safety and value engineering. In reaching their decisions the judges will take particular note of client satisfaction, geotechnical innovation, value for money, performance against prediction, the quality of design and construction, safety and application of innovation.

Aecom 
EEFIT geotechnical assessment of the Mw 6.8 Al Haouz Morocco earthquake

On September 8th, 2023, an Mw 6.8 earthquake struck the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, causing significant damage and triggering coseismic landslides. EEFIT rapidly deployed a collaborative mission to this challenging post-disaster environment to evaluate the geotechnical controls on landsliding and building damage, and thereby support Morocco in their efforts to increase resilience to future earthquakes. In rural areas, building damage was linked to alluvial terrace locations and traditional construction techniques that building codes do not adequately consider. Landslides were typically located within weaker geological units along sharp convex slopes, and were often preconditioned by road construction (oversteepening and undercutting). These results provided unique insight into the controls on earthquake susceptibility in arid mountainous environments, which will facilitate the development of improved building codes, disaster management practices, and earthquake resilience both in Morocco and comparable settings. Strong partnerships were formed with local stakeholders to increase the likelihood that improvements are implemented.

Fehily Timoney, John Sisk & Son and Ramboll
Dunkettle interchange upgrade scheme

The Dunkettle Interchange (DKI) Upgrade Scheme was a significant project involving upgrade of the existing Dunkettle interchange, a crucial intersection with high traffic volumes of over 100,000 vehicles daily. Situated 6km east of Cork City and north of the Jack Lynch Tunnel (JLT), DKI plays a strategic role in connecting major national routes. The project faced challenges due to its location, complex alignment, ground conditions, interfacing with the JLT operations, nearby industrial park, residential areas, the marine/port area, environmentally sensitive zones, and the Cork Midelton railway line. Traffic through the interchange was kept live throughout the project. The scheme officially opened on 12th February 2024. The scheme involved 10km of new road links constructed in a constrained area of approximately 0.5km2, one new grade separated junction and associated structure, four new roundabouts, 2.9km of new active travel measures and 58 no. structures including underbridges, overbridges, retaining walls, gantries and culverts.

Fugro
Dunkerque offshore wind farm complex ground investigation

Fugro's ground investigation for the Dunkerque Offshore Wind Farm exemplifies innovation, precision, and safety. By leveraging a bespoke combination of advanced techniques and technologies, Fugro successfully navigated the challenging site conditions to deliver comprehensive and accurate subsurface data to meet client specifications and requirements. The integration of multiple geophysical, cone penetration testing, gyroscopic and geotechnical methods ensured robust data acquisition, while Fugro’s own mission-specific jack-up barge flexi-deck's design enhancements significantly improved operational efficiency and safety. This project not only highlights Fugro's technical expertise but also its commitment to pioneering solutions that set new industry standards. The successful completion of this investigation underscores Fugro's role as a leader in geotechnical engineering, capable of delivering high-quality results in complex coastal environments.

Geocomp
Rail line sinkhole risk management

Geocomp helped Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) address a sinkhole threat along an important freight line near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Geocomp designed, implemented, and operated a unique, state-of-the-art, data-driven, sinkhole risk management program to mitigate sinkhole hazards along a 1.5-kilometer section of a busy commercial rail line operated by SAR. This innovative project used advanced technology to monitor the ground for signs of sinkholes, allowing for real-time alerts and data management. By combining various sensors and monitoring systems, Geocomp was able to detect potential issues before they caused significant damage, keeping the trains operating safely. By implementing these advanced monitoring systems, Geocomp not only eliminated delays in rail operations, but also saved the client significant costs associated with potential repairs and service interruptions. The proactive monitoring facilitated the safe resumption of train traffic, highlighting the importance of engineering solutions in infrastructure resilience.

Langan
TSX Broadway

The TSX Broadway project at the iconic New York's Times Square, involved the complex demolition and replacement of the top 31 floors of a 47-story building, the excavation of an additional 4.6 meters of the basement, and the simultaneous raising of the historic 109-year-old “listed” Palace Theater (at the ground floor of the previous building) by 9.5 meters for the creation of a new retail mall. The project showcased innovative geotechnical solutions, including economical excavation-bracing designs and unique caisson installations, ensuring timely and budget-conscious completion. Langan’s collaborative work with multiple parties provided optimal geotechnical solutions within the complex urban environment constraints that delivered the client’s vision. Langan's approach minimized waste, reduced CO2 emissions, and seamlessly integrated new and old structures. The project highlights Langan’s innovation, technical expertise, commitment to sustainability, and client satisfaction.

Terra Firma 
Ports of Jersey

A high-profile, multi-faceted project with exemplary communicative and resourceful working, Terra Firma provided a quality and valuable project outcome for the client. Through sustainable methodology and the mitigation of high scale risk, stakeholders were consistently engaged with and participative within the project to ensure its success. Barriers to this were overcome early and built on the foundation of understanding and collaboration to work towards the common goal. As an SME, Terra Firma were smart in their approach to problem solving and utilised expertise from within their team and externally to resource the project, along with contingency, to deliver on time and to an agreed budget for their client.

VSL
MTR1201 Tung Chung west station

This deep diaphragm wall project had highly challenging ground conditions including rock ranging from very hard to faulted, and completely decomposed rocks and cohesive soils. VSL used a range of inhouse geotechnical capabilities to pre-treat the ground, that allowed faster, more consistent production methods. By improving the ground ahead of the works it had the benefits of removing potential H&S and Quality risks. VSL were also able to provide several engineering options, adding value to the project by saving carbon, money and time without compromising on quality or stainability or other elements of the scheme. This was also the first project where VSL employed an electric trench cutter (a pioneering piece of geotechnical equipment). The electric cutter saved 34% CO2 emissions compared to a diesel cutter and reduced noise by 6dBa, critical to a project constrained by overall noise levels due to being within a densely populated residential area.