WP 1 Development of consultable databases

Objectives
An important objective of GeoTechNet is the dissemination of know-how and results from European and National RTD projects which are addressing geotechnical engineering issues; this will allow optimisation of research effort and realise synergy between on-going research. Furthermore GeoTechNet aims to accelerate the harmonisation process of geotechnical design & construction methods and processes in Europe and to contribute to safe, cost-effective and environmental friendly construction.
An essential step to reach these objectives is the development of consultable databases as part of a full web portal to be accessed through the GeoTechNet website (WP7.3).

Description of work / tasks
The work consists of drawing up a number of user-friendly databases addressing such issues as

• Project descriptions of recent and ongoing RTD in the field of geotechnical engineering (design processes and methods, construction processes, monitoring techniques, natural disasters). An overview of typical and well investigated geotechnical research sites that have been established during the past years in order to concentrate research efforts will be included (test fields).
• Information on EC7, the different national approaches (NAD’s), and the elaborated (national) work addressing EC7 & NAD (link to WP 2).
• Data on monitoring/measurement techniques (types of monitoring and measurement equipment, references & links to producers)
• An overview of commercial FEM and other numerical programs, with description of the program, soil models, … & an overview of OM processes (link to WP3).
• Innovative construction techniques: case studies from literature, links to other databases, …
• Data and statistics of site accidents related to geotechnical engineering practice (link to WP 4)
• Information on national/regional environmental legislation and Water directives (link to WP5)
• Assessment reports on natural disasters of sudden onset (earthquakes, landslides, flood,..), listing of natural disasters, reference to reports or articles, links,…, with critical view on social and economic impact (link to WP6).
• A mapping of National Centres of competence of the European countries… This task will essentially deal with
  establishing a list of organisations (universities, research centres, technical centres, industrial RTD units) active in geotechnical RTD. Information gathered by the GeoTechNet members, but also via the corresponding members and the National Societies of Soil Mechanics;
  establishing the main field of competence through the list of projects provided by the organisations
  allowing updating and amending the provided information by the organisations ("declaration of a profile of competence"); setting up a checking mechanism to insure pertinent information is provided (a first level checking will made to insure not incoherent information is provided and an "auditing process" will be defined and tasked to the organisation if it is needed).
  Identifying possible criteria for quality rating: PHD's, contractual funding, academic rating, other information or quality …

A strategy for continuation of the database and website after GeoTechNet will be planned.

The sub-tasks in this workpackage are:

• WP1.1. Definition of database structure for each database
• WP1.2.  Information input via GeoTechNet members, and corresponding members
• WP1.3. Review and presentation of information

Deliverables
The deliverables of workpackage 1 “Development of consultable databases” are:
D1 Nine Consultable technical databases on the GeoTechNet website before month 20:

• RTD project descriptions & test fields
• EC7 and NAD information
• Data on monitoring techniques/equipment
• Overview FEM and numerical programs & OM processes
• Case studies innovative construction
• Data on site accidents during geotechnical construction
• National/regional environmental legislation
• Assessment reports on natural disasters

Mapping of national centres of competence of the European countries