Alberto Ortigao
Senior consultant geotechnical engineer
Expertise
GeotechnicalLocation
USAMy highlights
Former associate professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Over 100 publications and two books published in English
Experience working all over South America and in Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, the UK and Canada
A day in my life
I start with a 2km-long swim to keep me healthy.
Then, I attend meetings with our staff and clients. I write proposals and reports on a variety of subjects.
Being a Fellow of the ICE and a Chartered Engineer means that clients should expect experience and competence to deliver projects.
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?
I was 10 years old in 1958 when my father and grandfather, both civil engineers, took me to a series of construction sites in Brasilia, the new capital of Brazil.
I saw lots of earthmoving equipment and different construction projects, from buildings, roads and even a dam.
This trip made up my mind and I’ve known since then that I wished to become a civil engineer.
We asked Alberto…
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
It’s a challenging profession which changes the world by contributing to infrastructure.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…
I'm a civil engineer, but I’m also a swimmer and a samba dancer.
What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?
I’m always excited about working on challenging civil engineering projects like embankments, dams, foundations, etc.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
The importance of engineering experience and judgement for design decisions (and not just engineering calculations).
Also, that training is always necessary to build a career in civil engineering.
For instance: learning about numerical modelling, BIM design, use of drones (non-existent 50 years ago) became commonplace and always needed for design.
Civil engineers must keep up pace with new technologies.
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
That you can minimise costs on site investigations.
Site investigation is expensive and can vary from 0.5-3% of the total project costs, depending on the risk.
As a young civil engineering student, I was asked which was the most expensive borehole method. After I gave some thought, I said: rock boreholes.
The professor looked at me and replied: the most expensive site investigation is the one which is NOT carried out, leading to a failure.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
The Channel Tunnel and nuclear powerplants.
What motivated you to become professionally qualified?
I’m working on civil engineering projects worldwide.
Being a Fellow of the ICE and a Chartered Engineer means that clients should expect experience and competence to deliver projects.
What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE?
To be part of this excellent community of engineers, something I dreamed of since I lived in Britain in the early 80s.
How did the ICE and/or your employer support you to become professionally qualified?
ICE staff and members supported me during the process. I would like to thank Michelle Cockburn, Keith Jones and Mike Rogers.
What do you value most about being an ICE member?
To be seen by our clients as someone with the necessary experience and capacity to deliver our projects with safety and quality.
Any personal causes or hobbies?
Sports and dancing.
Alberto's career path
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1967-1971)
- Civil engineering PhD from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1973-1980)
- Associate professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1978-2003)
- Geotechnical consultant (2000-present)
Major projects
- Geotechnical and foundation consultancy on the 3.2 km long Demerara Bridge in Georgetown and the 500m long Wismar Bridge project in Linden, Guyana. Client: CRCC China Railway Construction Co
- Geotechnical consultant for the foundations of the Georgetown Thermoelectric Powerpoint, Guyana. Client: QGMI Contractors, Panama
- Slope rehabilitation design, Virgin’s Kasbah-Tamadot Hotel, 60m high slope in Morocco. Client: NBR Centre, Casablanca, Morocco
- Slope stability analysis of a high slope and ground improvement using chemical grouting, Mill Lane, Cuddall, UK. Client: Mainmark Ltd
- Design of rehabilitation works for a 10m high vertical piled wall, located in Jandira, São Paulo, Brazil. Client: Wacker Chemical
- Foundation, excavation, tunnelling, dams and slope stability consultant to many clients
