This evening meeting brings together a distinguished panel of geotechnical industry leaders to collectively demystify the observational method.
Each panellist will offer insights based on extensive practical experience, bringing in a few key themes for discussion in an interactive Q&A.
Key Themes:
• What is the Observational Method? A clear explanation of the principles, and the circumstances in which it is best employed.
• Case Studies: Illustrative examples demonstrating the method in practice.
• Benefits, Challenges, and Limitations: Unpacking how this approach can deliver cost efficiency and risk management, and understanding its boundaries.
• Best Practice and Lessons Learned: How to embed the observational method into design and construction processes effectively, including the role of monitoring, trigger levels, and ongoing assessment.
The event will conclude with a Panel Q&A. The audience (in-person and online) is encouraged to actively participate with these industry leading geotechnical professionals.
This is a hybrid event.
CGL are specialist geotechnical and geoenvironmental consultants, delivering leading-edge services for a wide range of clients. We provide advice and design solutions on a broad range of ground-related issues, working directly with site developers, or their design and construction teams.
In person arrival and networking
Technical talk for in person and online attendees
Arup
associate director
Stuart Hardy is an associate director in Arup’s London geotechnical team, a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers with over 20 years’ experience in building and infrastructure. He holds a PhD in soil mechanics from Imperial College London and has worked for Mott MacDonald, Laing O’Rourke and two stints at Arup.
Stuart was geotechnical manager for the S1/S2 contracts on HS2 and one of the lead authors CIRIA C760 document on the design of embedded retaining walls. He also chairs the BSI committee developing the UK National Annex for the second generation Eurocode 7 Part 3 and is part of the Arup/Mott MacDonald team appointed to update the CIRIA R185 guidance on the Observational Method.
Mott MacDonald
technical director
Hock Liong Liew is technical director at Mott MacDonald, based in Croydon, with nearly 25 years of UK and international experience in ground engineering. A Chartered Engineer, he serves as the company’s global practice skill lead for the Observational Method (OM), Instrumentation, and Monitoring.
He has successfully applied OM on major infrastructure projects, including Crossrail’s Liverpool Street Station and HS2 Phase 1 N1/N2 contracts, delivering significant cost, time, and carbon savings while enhancing safety. He is a lead author in the Mott MacDonald–Arup team updating CIRIA R185 guidance on OM and Co-Lead of the ISSMGE TC206–220 Monitoring Working Group. An active advocate of OM, he has authored and co-authored more than 10 technical papers, driving innovation and knowledge sharing across the industry.
Balfour Beatty
technical director and head of geotechnical engineering
Mike Southall is a Chartered Civil Engineer and geologist with 40 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, currently serving as technical director and head of geotechnical engineering at Balfour Beatty.
He has extensive expertise across consultancy and contracting sectors including rail, infrastructure, property, oil & gas, marine, and renewables, and actively supports the advancement of the Observational Method and intelligent use of I&M to support and enhance BB’s business and project delivery. Pursuant to this Mike is supporting on the update to CIRIA R185 guidance on the Observational Method.
A five-session course delivered by industry experts focusing on key aspects of contracts used in Civil Engineering.
Join the online audience and show your support for the two Yorkshire and Humber finalists, as they present their papers at the regional final of the Princess Royal Award for Emerging Engineers.
This series of events is aimed at those preparing for their Professional Review at Incorporated level and will provide advice and guidance on how to approach the communication task, against various industry specific themes.
