Durham-Newcastle-Adelaide: DNA research project

A British-Australian research team is extending an existing collaboration to launch a new project on making geotechnical structures—such as foundations, retaining walls, and tunnels—more reliable through better design methods. The problem is that geotechnical structures are built in or on the ground, which is notoriously variable and difficult to predict. Current design approaches often rely on conservative safety factors that can be either wasteful or insufficient. This project aims to develop reliability-based design methods that account for uncertainty in soil properties and loading conditions more rigorously. If successful, the research could lead to infrastructure that is both safer and more cost-effective. Bridges, embankments, and deep excavations might be designed with greater confidence, reducing the risk of failure while avoiding unnecessary over-engineering. The work is primarily fundamental in nature, advancing the mathematical and statistical tools for geotechnical engineering. While immediate practical applications are not the direct goal, such methods have historically underpinned improvements in building codes and construction standards that quietly protect public safety.