Codes of Practice for Geotechnical Engineering: Site

Investigations ( SI ):
Review  Paper
Elfatih M. A. Ahmed1

Abstract
This paper presents a review of some national and regional
codes of practice in the area of Geotechnical engineering site
investigation (SI). The goal is to identify some significant issues
relevant to professional practice in Sudan and to highlight how
they were approached and dealt with in different codes.
The scope of the SI comprises the number of points to
be investigated. these may be test pits, boreholes, field
soundings,  geophysical soundings.  The extent of the SI is
generally described by the depth of boreholes and /or types
of field soundings. The scope and extent of SI are strongly
related to the types of structures and loadings as well as to the
geotechnical character of the site.
The final result of the SI is presented in a geotechnical report,
including field work, laboratory work and recommendations
for design and construction. The report must be prepared by
an experienced Geotechnical Engineer.
The fact that SI is usually carried out in the very early stages
of the project, when even the project funding may not have
been fully secured, tends to create a situation where costs
available for SI may be restricted. It is widely believed that SI is
a very significant component of any civil engineering project.
While the cost of the SI is a minor component, it is of major
importance to project risk management and will positively
affect total costs.
1
Engineering Services and Design (ESD) – Khartoum, Sudan

58 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

‫‪It is recommended that a Sudanese Code of Practice for‬‬
‫‪Geotechnical Engineering be adopted to regulate and upgrade‬‬
‫‪the professional practice in this area. This activity should‬‬
‫‪be carried out under the auspices of the national Standards‬‬
‫‪organization. The Sudanese Society of Soil Mechanics and‬‬
‫‪Geotechnical Engineering can be instrumental in these‬‬
‫‪activities.‬‬

‫م�ستخل�ص‬
‫تعر�ض هذه الورقة ا�ستعرا�ضا لبع�ض الكودات الوطنية والإقليمية للممار�سات يف جمال‬
‫الهند�سة اجليوتقنية (درا�سة املواقع)‪ .‬الهدف من ذلك هو حتديد بع�ض الق�ضايا الهامة ذات‬
‫ال�صلة باملمار�سة املهنية يف ال�سودان وت�سليط ال�ضوء علىالكيفية التي مت التعامل معها يف‬
‫الكودات املختلفة‪.‬‬
‫جمال درا�سة املوقع ي�شمل عدد النقاط التي تتم درا�ستها وهذه قد تكون حفراالختبار‪،‬الآبار‪،‬‬
‫ال�سربامليداين‪،‬ال�سرباجليوفيزيائي‪ .‬من ناحية �أخرى ف�إن مدى درا�سة املوقع يتم فيه حتديد‬
‫عمق الآبار �أو �أنواع ال�سرب امليداين املختلفة‪� .‬إن جمال ومدى درا�سة املوقع يرتبطان بقوة ب�أنواع‬
‫املن�ش�آت واحلموالت الناجتة عنها ف�ضال عن الطابع اجليوتقني للموقع‪.‬‬
‫يتم تقدمي النتيجة النهائية لدرا�سة املوقع يف تقريرجيوتقني ي�شمل تفا�صيل العمل امليداين‬
‫‪ ،‬والعمل املختربي والتحليل الهند�سي مبا يف ذلك التو�صيات الالزمة للت�صميم والت�شييد‪ .‬يجب‬
‫�أن يتم �إعداد هذا التقرير عن طريق مهند�س جيوتقني ذو خربة كافية‪.‬‬
‫�أن درا�سة املوقع عادة مايتم عملها يف املراحل املبكرة للم�شروع ‪،‬حتى عندما يكون متويل‬
‫امل�شروع مل يكتمل ‪ ،‬ويف هذه احلالة تكون هناك �ضغوط على تقليل التكاليف املطلوبة لدرا�سة‬
‫وفح�ص املوقع‪ .‬ومبا �أن درا�سة املوقع هي عن�صر هام جد ًا يف م�شاريع الهند�سة املدنية‪ .‬ومبا‬
‫�أن تكلفة هذا الن�شاط متثل عن�صرا �صغري ًا جد ًا باملقارنة بالتكلفة الكلية للم�شروع ‪ ،‬ومبا �أن‬
‫التجارب املختلفة قد و�ضحت �أن هذا العن�صر (درا�سة املوقع) له ت�أثري مبا�شر على �إدارة‬
‫املخاطر بامل�شروع ف�إنه البد من الت�أكيد على �أهميةا�ستكمال درا�سة وفح�ص املوقع بالطريقة‬
‫املثلى‪.‬‬
‫يقرتح �أن يتم اعتماد قانون �سوداين ملمار�سة الهند�سة اجليوتقنية لتنظيم وتطويراملمار�سة‬
‫املهنية يف هذا املجال‪.‬ينبغي �أن يتم هذا الن�شاط حتت �إ�شراف املنظمةالوطنية للموا�صفات‬
‫وميكن �أن تكون اجلمعيةال�سودانية مليكانيكا الرتبة والهند�سة اجليوتقنية مفيدة يف هذا‬
‫املجال‪.‬‬

‫‪Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014‬‬ ‫‪59‬‬

1. Introduction
1.1 Objective
This paper presents a review of some national and regional
codes of practice in the area of Geotechnical engineering. The
aim of this presentation is to identify some significant issues
relevant to professional practice in Sudan and to highlight how
they were approached and dealt with in different codes.
Codes from some neighbouring countries i.e. Egypt, Nigeria,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of South Africa were
considered. Codes from developed countries e.g. ASTM from
the USA and BS from the UK as well as the Eurocode from the
European Union are also considered. Some of data available in
these references, were reproduced for ease of reference.
Geotechnical Engineering issues are somewhat different
from those in Structural Engineering due to the nature of
Geomaterials , the variabilities in space and the scale of
variations in the material properties. As a relatively new field
in Civil Engineering, many recent developments have been
included specially in the well established International codes.
The final goal is to sensitize the different stake holders,
including the professional, academic, regulatory organizations,
as well as the general public, about issues which pertain to the
national development projects.
1.2 Significance of site investigations (SI)
“Without Site Investigation Ground is a Hazard”  Littlejohn et
al (1994)[1].
 The choice of suitable location for a project depends, among
other factors, on the geotechnical characterization of site. The
design and construction will be based on results of the site

60 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

investigation. While the cost of soil investigation constitute a
very small percentage of the total project cost, the importance
of the SI and the risk associated with incomplete knowledge,
has repeatedly acknowledged in the literature, e.g. ICE (1991)
[2], Goldsworthy et al (2004)[3], Mirza(1998)[4] and Jaksa
(2000)[5].
The general requirementsand the technical capability of the SI
contractor are usually provided in many codes of practice e.g.
SAICE (2010)[6].
The geotechnical study may be carried out in different stages.
The simplest is the desk study which is based on available data
about the project site such as geological, hydrological and
hydrogeological data. Any previous site investigation reports
in the same or neighbouring sites will be useful, if available. A
walk over of the site is generally recommended.
Following the desk study, planning of a preliminary ground
investigation is recommended for the feasibility study of the
project. This study may be used in the preliminary design stage.
The detailed ground investigation is the last stage of the field
work and will be based on plans made, based on the detailed
site plan of the project different components. The outcome of
this investigation will be used in the detailed design.
The construction phase of the project may require monitoring
and/ inspection activities,which may include ground water
table,ground deformations and stresses in the soil, if needed.
The improvement of subsoil properties may also be checked
at different construction stages, if needed.
Inspection of the various construction activities, such as
earthworks, concreting, piling activities (either static or
dynamic), lowering of groundwater, as well as any other
foundation works,should be carried out by competent

Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014 61

geotechnical engineers.
The last stage is the maintenance stage which may extend
throughout the total life span of the project. Inspection of the
substructure and monitoring of instrumentation at the project
site, may furnish useful data for the follow up of maintenance
and/ or repairs, if needed.
2. Phases of sI activities
2.1 Planning of site investigations
Types and sizes of different civil engineering project span a
wide spectrum. These include big development projects such
as airports, dams, roads, high-rise buildings, medium to small
size projects such as low to medium rise structures, small to
medium rise industrial buildings. Generally, these projects may
be categorized as shown in Table(1).
Projects are usually implemented in different phases. These
are the feasibility, planning, preliminary design, detailed
design, construction and maintenance phases. Some of these
phases may be consolidated in one phase or may be dropped
altogether. Table(1) integrates the different phases with the
project sizes.

62 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

Table(1): Types and sizes of projects

Types of Geotechnical Study for Sizes

Typical
Boholes of Projects
Scale Approximate
Project Phase per
Rquired for Spacing (m)
Hectare Small Medum Large
Maps
Projects Proects Projects

Feasibility 1: 10,000 0.1 – 0.2 200 to 400 Desktop study

Phase
Desktop
study
Planning Phase 1: 5,000 0.5–1.0 100 to 200 Definition of
Desktop needs
Prelimnary study/ Preliminary
1: 4,000 to Site
engineering Phase 1–5 50 to 100 Site
1: 2,500 investition Site
Investigation
Invesga-
tion Detailed
1: 2,000 (S.I.) Site
Detailed design Phase 5 – 10 30 to 100
(Roads) Investigation

1: 1,000 Monitor-
ing/
Construction Phase (Buildings 10 – 20 20 to 30
Inspec- Monitoring/
or Bridges) Inspection tion Inspection
Maintenance Phase Inspec-
tion

Projects are generally divided into residential and business

buildings on one hand and infrastructure and industrial projects
on the other hand. Buildings are categorized by size and/or area
extent. Infrastructural projects include linear projects such as
roads,  pipelines, canals, embankments, runways and tunnels.
Other infrastructures include dams, culverts etc...Industrial
projects include factories, refineries, warehouses etc....
2.2 Scope of site investigation
The scope of the SI comprises the number of points to
be investigated. these may be test pits, boreholes, field
soundings,  geophysical soundings.  All codes of practice give
some indication of extent of SI.

Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014 63

The BS 5930 (1999)[7] for example requires that a minimum of
2 to 3 points are taken for all projects with a minimum spacing
for buildings of 20 to 30 m. If some data is already available
from the immediate vicinity of the project, then one point may
suffice.
The Egyptian code ECP – 202/1 (2001)[8]on the other hand
specifies the number of points as one point per 300 square
meters of site for buildings. Some reservations and variations
are given for small areas and for big residential projects.  For
pipelines a spacing between 150 to 250 m is recommended
between points.
The Eurocode EN 1997-2 (2007)[9] gave indicatory spacing
between points for high rise and industrial structures of 15
to 40 m. For large area structures the spacing went up to 60
m. For linear structures such as roads, railways, canals  the
spacing of 20 to 200 m was given.
2.3 Extent of site investigations
The extent of the SI is generally described by the depth of
boreholes and /or types of field soundings and their depths.
The depth of boreholes and /or soundings are strongly related
to the types of structures and loadings as well as to the
geotechnical character of the site.
The code of practice for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia SBC: 303
(2007)[10]gave a table showing different needs for building
structures including number of points and their depths.
Table(2)  is presented from that code. The code from Republic
of South Africa SAIC (2010)[6]presented the case of shallow
and deep foundations. For shallow foundations a depth
twice foundation depth is required as a minimum.  For deep
foundation either 3 times pile diameter is required below pile
depth or 0.5 times pile group width below pile depth.

64 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

The Eurocode EN 1997-2 (2007)[9]gave details of borehole
depths for different types of foundations e.g. shallow, deep as
well as retaining structures.
In all codes the engineering judgement of the geotechnical
expert is invoked to insure that suitable subsoil layers are
reached to achieve reliable needed bearing  capacities.
Table (2):  Needs for Different Buildings. (SBC: 303
{2007}[10])

MinimumDepth for Boreholes Specified

No. of Built Area No. of Minimum Depth

Minimum Depth of Two of One Third
Storeys (m2) Boreholes Thirds of The Boreholes ofTheBoreholes
(m)
(m)

< 600 3 4 6

2 or less 600 – 5000 3 – 10 5 8

> 5000 Special investigation

< 600 3
6-8 9 - 12
3-4 600 – 5000 3 – 10

> 5000 Special investigation

5 or higher Special investigation

Table(3) gives a summary of values for scope of SI for different projects as

may be compiled from different codes of practice and presented in  Look
(2007)[11]

Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014 65

Table (3): Scope of Different Projects (Look 2007)[11]

Type of Test Spacing Approximate Depth of SoilI nvestigations

Construction

Building 20m to 50m • (2–4)width for shallow footings

(Pads and Strip, respectively)
• 3m or 3 pile diameters below the expected founding
level for piles. If rock intersected ensure –
N*>100 and RQD>25%
• 1.5B (building width) for rafts or closely spaced shallow
footings
• 1.5B below 2/3D (pile depth) for pile rafts
Bridges At each pier location • 4B–5B for shallow footings
• 10 pile diameters in competent strata, or
• Consideration of the following if bedrock intersected
– 3m minimum rock coring
– 3 Pile diameters below target founding level based on
N*>150
RQD>50%
Moderately weathered or better
Medium strength or better

Embankments 25m to 50m (critical areas) 100m to Beyond base of compressible alluvium at critical loaded/
500m as in roads suspect areas, otherwise as in roads.
5m below toe of slope or
Cut Slopes 25m to 50m for H>5m 3m into bedrock below toe whichever is shallower.
50m to 100m for H<5m Below slide zone. As a guide (as the slide zone may not
be known) use 2×height of slope or width of zone
Landslip 3 BHs or test pits minimum along of movement. 5m below toe of slope
critical section or 3m into bedrock below toe whichever is shallower.

66 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

Table (3): Scope of Different Projects (Look 2007)[11] (Continued)
Type of Construction Test Spacing Approximate Depth ofSoilInvestigations
Pavements/roads 250m to 500m 2m below formation level.
Local roads<150m 2 to 3 locations
Local roads>150m 50m to 100m (3 minimum)
Runways 250m to 500m 3m below formation level.
Pipelines 250m to 500m 1m below invert level.
Tunnels 25m to 50m 3m below invert level or 1 tunnel diameter, whichever
is deeper: greater depths where contiguous piles for
retentions.
Deep tunnels need Target 0.5–1.5 linear m drilling per route metre of
special consideration alignment.
Lower figure over water or difficult
to access urban areas.
Dams 25m to 50m 2×height of dam, 5m below toe
or of slope 3m into bedrock below
toe whichever is greater. Extend to
zone of low permeability.
Canals 100m to 200m 3m minimum below invert level or to a zone of low
permeability.
Culverts 1 Borehole 2 B–4 B but below base of compressible layer.
<20m width One at each end
(20–40)m One at each end and 1 in the
>40m middle with maximum
spacing of 20m between
boreholes
Car Parks 2 Bhs for<50 parks 2m below formation level.
3 Bhs for 50–100
4 Bhs for 100–200
5 Bhs for 200–400
6 Bhs for>400 parks
Monopoles & At each location 0m to 20m high:D=4.5m
Transmission 20m to 30m high:D=6.0m
Towers* 30m to 40m high:D=7.5m
40m to 5 0m high:D=9.0m
60m to 70m high:D=10.5m
70m to 80m high:D=15.0m
*Applies to medium dense to dense sands and stiff to very stiff clays. Based on assumption on very lightly
loaded structure and lateral loads are the main considerations. Reduce D by 20% to 50% if hard clays, very
dense sands or competent rock.
Increase D by>30% for loose sands and soft clays.

Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014 67

2.4 Ground water
The identification of the existence of ground water at a site
is a very important factor in any SI. The effect of pore water
pressure has been one of major factors in geotechnical
engineering, since the early days of Terzaghi and the effective
stress concepts. The seepage issues in different projects as
well as stability of slopes need a good understanding of the
subsoil  ground water regime.
In arid or semi-arid regions where the ground table may be
very deep, the effects of changes in the partial saturation of
soils should be given due consideration,specially in problematic
soils such as expansive and/ or collapsible soils.
3.SI Requirements
3.1 Professional competence
The SI needs three types of activities to be carried out.
These include geotechnical consultancy, Geotechnical field
work and laboratory testing. The consultants work gives an
overview of the works that can be done by subcontractors.
The geotechnical field work  includes test pits, excavation
and sampling, borehole  drilling,testing and sampling and
geotechnical and geophysical field testing. if this work is
carried out by professional engineers that are licensed to
present geotechnical reports, then it is sufficient otherwise the
consultant has to provide professional staff forsupervision and
reporting. The laboratory testing can also be subcontracted
with the same conditions required for fieldwork.
The fact that SI is usually carried out in the very early stages of
project inception, when even the project funding may not have
been fully secured, tends to create a situation where costs
available for SI may be restricted. The procurement procedures

68 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

of least tender pricing, coupled with high market competition,
may lead to tenders been submitted by low capability
contractors. A study by Diffin (2004)[12] has shown that in the
UK there are still significant shortcomings in the competence
and capabilities of ground investigation contractors. It was
recommended that uniform quality assurance be carried
out for all SI works. It is our belief that, in most developing
countries, SI activities are faced with thesame  or even more
problems.
3.2 Geotechnical reporting
The final result of the SI is presented in a geotechnical report,
including field work, laboratory work and recommendations for
design and construction. The report will depend on the project
phase, the needs for feasibility phase is different from those
for the preliminary design, or the detailed design phases.
The report must be prepared by a Geotechnical Engineering
Consultant with adequate relevant experience.
The submission of the final geotechnical report of the project
is needed before the final design is made. The delays may be
caused by different factors or individuals. Economic factors
may be a major cause. The procurement process may cause
delays. The project owner may have to shoulder the major
responsibility for such delays or he may have to transfer such
responsibility to the project consultant.
The BS  5930:1999[7] recommends that construction issues be
addressed such as temporary works, excavation and excavation
supports where needed, soil improvement, ground water, soil
contamination and such issues.
The SAIC code   2010[6] recommends that issues of problematic
soils in South Africa such as expansive and collapsible soils as

Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014 69

well as dolomitic formation should be addressed in the report
if relevant.
The geotechnical report should include all necessary items to
help the project designer in his work. The Eurocode,EN 1997-
2:2007[9], states the report shall be composed of two parts:
1. Factual report about ground investigation, soil sampling,
field and laboratory testing. Other relevant data shall also be
included.
2. Interpretation of data and recommendations for design
shall be given in detail showing methods of implementation
and calculations when requested.
3.3 SI Costs
“You pay for a site investigation whether you have one or not”
(ICE 1991)[2].
Rowe (1972)[13] presented a summary of the cost of SIs for
different types of projects as a percentage of total project
cost as well as earthworks and foundation cost. This is given
in Table(4).
Table(4): Cost of Different Project Types ( Rowe 1972)[13]

% of earthworks and
Type of Work % of capital cost of works
foundation costs
Earth dams 0.9 – 3.3 1.1 – 5.2
Embankments 0.1 – 0.2 0.2
Docks 0.2 – 0.5 0.4 – 1.7
Bridges 0.1 – 0.5 0.3 – 1.3
Buildings 0.1 – 0.2 0.50- 2.0
Roads 0.2 – 1.6 1.6 – 5.7
Railways 0.6 – 2.0 3.5
Overall mean 0.7 1.5

70 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

A survey of actual cost overruns in highway projects in the
UK in the eighties of last century was carried out by Mott Mac
Donald (1994)[14]. Fig(1) shows the relationship between cost
overruns and the relative cost of SIs.

Fig(1): Cost Over-run of Highway Projects (Mott MacDonald 1994)

[14].

Hoek and Palmeiri (1998)[15] presented the case for long

tunnels where the cost overruns are related to ratio of borehole
length to tunnel length as shown in Fig(2).

Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014 71

 Fig(2): Cost Over-run for Tunnel Projects(Hoek and Palmeiri
(1998)[15]).

Chapman (2008)[16] studied the issue of delays in construction

time for high rise development buildings in the UK. It was found
that 50% of the buildings projects are delayed by at least one
month. Of these projects 40% of causes are related to SI stage.
based on the simplified assumption of a delay of one month
of a project that is financed by a commercial bank and that the
cost overrun is due only to bank dues, then Chapman[16] found
that the saving made in reducing SI cost will most probably
cause a financial loss to the building developer of more than
ten times the expected saving.

72 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

4. Discussion and conclusion
4.1 Discussion
The above presentation shows that SI is a very significant
component of any civil engineering project. While the cost of
the SI is a minor component, it is of major importance to risk
management and will positively affect project costs.
Recent studies in risk management and its applications in
Geotechnical Engineering has  included risk studies in Site
Investigations. The risks  in geotechnical engineering are
intrinsic to the uncertainties associated with geomaterials  and
their behaviour.  For SI the risks are associated with incomplete
investigations. To reduce such risks extent and scope of SI
must be carefully planned. Supervision of the construction
stage should be done by a competent geotechnical engineer
soas to identify any discrepancy in actual field conditions.
Such differences between SI findings on a limited number
of boreholes or test pits and the actual conditions in the
ground is not unexpected. Hence such incidents should not
be overlooked or kept secret but should be addressed and
considered in design review.
The  codes of practice for the African middle east countries
reflect the developing nature of these countries where detailed
code requirements have to be specified.
For the BS and ASTM the details are sometimes left out as the
state of the art of the profession has already been accepted.
TheEurocode on the other hand is a new standard that has
been accepted for all EU countries and is being introduced
for implementation in the individual countries starting in 2010.
The details given there are due to harmonization of codes of
practice in individual countries.

Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014 73

The details of the field work and laboratory work as part of
the SI has been given in detail in the different codes. These
topics are not discussed here as they are generally covered
in academic programs in civil engineering in a reasonably
accepted level.
4.2 Conclusions
It is highly recommended that a Sudanese Code of Practice
for Geotechnical Engineering be adopted to upgrade the
professional practice in this area. This activity should be carried
out under the auspices of the national Standards organization.
The Sudanese Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical
Engineering can be instrumental in these activities.

5. References
[1]
(1) Littlejohn G. S , Cole K. W and Mellor T. W “ Without
Site Investigation Ground is a Hazard” Proc. Instit.
CivilEngrs, Civil Engineering, 1994, vol.  102.
[2]
(2) ICE , “Inadequate Site Investigation”, The Institute of
Civil Engineers, Thomas Telford ,1991.
[3]
(3) Goldsworthy G. S., Jaksa M. B., Kaggwa W. S., Fenton
G. A., Griffiths D. A., Poulos H. G. “Cost of foundation
failures due to limited site investigations” , Intl. Conf. on
Structural and Foundation Failures, Singapore, 2004.
[4]
(4) Mirza C. “The high cost of low bid cost site
characterisation”, Geotechnical Site Characterisation,
Robertson and Mayne (eds) ,Balkema, Rotterdam,
1998.
[5]
(5) Jaksa M. B. “Geotechnical risk and inadequate site
investigation: a case study”, Australian Geomechanics,
2000, vol. 35.
[6]
(6) SAICE “Site Investigation Code of Practice” , South

74 Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014

 African Institution of Civil Engineers: Geotechnical
Division , 2010.
[7]
(7) BS 5930: 1999, “Code of Practice for Site Investigation”
, British Standard Institute,  1999.
[8]
(8) ECP - 202/1 - 2001 “Egyptian Code for Soil Mechanics
and Foundation Design and Construction”, Cairo,
2007.
[9]
(9) EN 1997-2:2007 “Euorocode 7 - Geotechnical Design-
Part 2: Ground Investigation and Testing”  European
Committee for Standardisation  Brussels, 2007.
(10) SBC: 303 “Saudi Building Code Requirement: 303
[10]
- Structural - Soil and Foundations “, Saudi Building
Code National Code , 2007.
(11) Look B. G. “Handbook of geotechnical Investigations
[11]
and Design tables”, Taylor and Francis, London,
2007.
(12) DiffinBT   “procurement and quality of site investigation
[12]
in the U K “ M Eng. dissertation . university of Surrey,
Department of Civil Engineering, 2004.
(13) Rowe P. W. “The relevance of soil fabric to soil
[13]
investigation practice” geotechnique , 1972, 12.
(14) Mott MacDonald and Soil Mechanics Ltd “Study of
[14]
the efficiency of site investigation practice”, Project
report 60, E063A/HG, TRRL , Berkshire, 1994.
(15) Hoek E. and Palmieri A. “Geotechnical risks on large
[15]
civil engineering projects”, Intl. Assoc. of Engineering
Geologists Congress, Vancouver, Canada, 1998.
(16) Chapman T. J. P. “The relevance of development
[16]
costs in geotechnical risk management”, the proc. of
second intl. BGA conf. on foundations,  Brown M. J.
et al (eds) 1998.

Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014 75

‫�إن دكتور عبداهلل �أحد الأع�ضاء امل�ؤ�س�سني وامل�شاركني ملكتب الإ�ست�شارات‬
‫اخلا�ص فى الهند�سة والتخطيط والعمارة‪ ،‬منذ ‪.1982‬‬
‫و�أما فيما يتعلق بالدكتور عبداهلل الباحث واملحا�ضر فقد كان تخ�ص�صه‬
‫الرئي�س هو الهند�سة الإن�شائية‪ ،‬على حني كان تخ�ص�صه الدقيق هو‬
‫ت�صميم وتكنولوجيا اخلر�سانة وت�صميم احلديد‪.‬‬
‫وقد متخ�ض عن �أبحاثه التى �أجراها وعن خربته الطويلة �أنه �شارك فى‬
‫العديد من ور�ش العمل وامل�ؤمترات وال�سمنارات‪ ،‬و�أ�شرف على العديد من‬
‫م�شاريع وبحوث التخرج وعلى العديد من الدرا�سات فوق اجلامعية املف�ضية‬
‫�إىل منح درجة املاج�ستري‪.‬‬
‫وقد امتدت م�شاركا ُته لت�شمل‪:‬‬
‫• تقييم الو�ضع الراهن لبع�ض املبانى (لتحديد امل�شاكل وو�ضع احللول)‪،‬‬
‫مثل مبنى فندق الهلتون‬
‫• تقييم بع�ض امل�شروعات على امل�ستوى القومى والوطنى‪ ،‬مثل جممع‬
‫م�صنع الن�سيج ال�سودانى‬
‫• امل�شاركة فى اللجان الفنية‪ ،‬فقد عمل مث ًال ع�ضو ًا بلجنة مواد الإن�شاء‬
‫للهيئه ال�سودانية للموا�صفات واملقايي�س‪ ،‬وع�ضو ًا مبجل�س اجلمعية‬
‫الهند�سية‪ ،‬كما عمل ع�ضو ًا مبجل�س �إدارة م�صنع �أ�سمنت عطربة‪ ،‬وعمل‬
‫ع�ضو ًا فى غري ذلك مما ذكرنا‬
‫مل يكن َفق ُد الدكتور عبداهلل �إبراهيم خ�سار ًة عظيم ًة للمعهد ولزمالئه‬
‫ح�سب بل كان كذلك خ�سار ًة كبري ًة لعدد كبري من امل�ؤ�س�سات واجلامعات‬
‫وخ�سار ًة لوطنه‪.‬‬

‫وختام ًا ندعو اهلل �ضارعني �أن يتقبله عنده من ال�صاحلني و�أن ي�سعد‬
‫روحه فى الأرواح‬

‫‪76‬‬ ‫‪Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014‬‬

 ‫ب�سم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬
‫ال ْو ِف َو جْ ُ‬
‫الو ِع‬ ‫َو َل َن ْب ُل َو َّن ُك ْم ِب َ�ش ْي ٍء مِ َن خْ َ‬
‫َو َن ْق ٍ�ص مِ َن الأَ ْم َوالِ َوالأَ ْن ُف ِ�س َوال َّث َم َراتِ‬
‫ِين (‪�( )155‬سورة البقرة)‬ ‫ال�صا ِبر َ‬ ‫َو َب ِّ�ش ِر َّ‬
‫ينعى معهد بحوث البناء والطرق بجامعة‬
‫اخلرطوم ببالغ احلزن والأ�سى املرحوم د‪.‬‬
‫عبداهلل �إبراهيم ف�ضل‪ ،‬الذى رحل عن دنيانا فى يوم اجلمعة ‪ 28‬فرباير‬
‫‪ُ 2014‬م�سلم ًا الروح �إىل بارئها‪.‬‬
‫لقد كان الدكتور عبداهلل �أحد �أعمدة املعهد بعد �أن التحق ب�سلك التدري�س‬
‫باجلامعة منذ تخرجه فى عام ‪ 1963‬بدرجة بكالوريو�س العلوم‪ ،‬مرتبة‬
‫ال�شرف الأوىل فى الهند�سة املدنية‪ ،‬بكلية الهند�سة والعمارة بجامعة‬
‫اخلرطوم‪ .‬ولقد حافظ على م�ستواه العاىل هذا خالل تلقيه لدرا�ساته فوق‬
‫اجلامعية‪ ،‬فنال درجة الدبلوم فى تكنولوجيا اخلر�سانة من كلية �إمربيال‬
‫بجامعة لندن فى العام ‪ ،1964‬ونال درجة الدكتوراه فى الهند�سة املدنية‬
‫من جامعة �إلينوي بالواليات املتحدة الأمريكية فى ‪. 1976‬‬
‫ونظر ًا لكل هذه امل�ؤهالت العالية التى كان يتحلى بها فقد ُع نّي م�ساعد‬
‫تدري�س ثم باحث ًا مبعهد بحوث البناء والطرق‪ ،‬ومن َث ّم رئي�س ًا لق�سم مواد‬
‫البناء والإن�شاء فى الفرتة من ‪� 1976‬إىل ‪ ،1978‬ثم �صار مدير ًا للمعهد فى‬
‫الفرتة من ‪� 1978‬إىل ‪.1980‬‬
‫وبعد انتدابه �إىل جامعة الكويت عاد �أ�ستاذ ًا م�شارك ًا بكلية الهند�سة بجامعة‬
‫اخلرطوم‪ .‬فقد مت تعيينه فيها رئي�س ًا لق�سم الهند�سة املدنية بكلية الهند�سة‬
‫للفرتة من ‪� 1985‬إىل ‪ ،1987‬ثم عميد ًا لكلية الهند�سة للفرتة من ‪1991‬‬
‫�إىل ‪ .1993‬وفى العام ‪ 2000‬رجع دكتور عبداهلل �إىل املعهد �أ�ستاذ ًا وظ ّل به‬
‫حتى تقاعد باملعا�ش فى العام ‪. 2010‬‬
‫وفيما يتعلق بت�أهيله املهنى فقد كان الدكتور عبداهلل زمي ًال باجلمعية‬
‫الهند�سية ومهند�س ًا م�ست�شار ًا باملجل�س الهند�سى ال�سودانى‪.‬‬
‫‪Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014‬‬ ‫‪77‬‬
 ‫ر�ســـالة من املحــــرر‬
‫احتفل معهد بحوث البناء والطرق بجامعة اخلرطوم بيوبيله الذهبى (‪ )2014 -1963‬وذلك‬
‫فى الفرتة من ‪ 20‬اىل ‪� 22‬أبريل ‪ . 2014‬وقد وقف املعهد فى هذه املنا�سبة على دوره ا�ستعر�ض‬
‫ر�سالته ووقف مقيم ًا كم من �أهدافه قد متكن من حتقيقها ‪ .‬وقد ظهرذلك جلي ًا فى برنامج‬
‫يوبيله الذهبى ‪ .‬فبجانب اجلل�سة االفتتاحية ا�شتمل برنامج اليوبيل على �سبع جل�سات ‪ ،‬عاجلت‬
‫كل جل�سة منها جما ًال من جماالت ن�شاط املعهد ‪ .‬وقد �صاحب اليوبيل َم ٌ‬
‫عر�ض َنّبي وعك�س‬
‫خمتلف جماالت الن�شاط الذى يزاوله املعهد والتى ت�شمل البحوث واخلدمات الفنية (املعمل‬
‫واالختبار والفح�ص وم�شروعات اخلدمات ) وخدمات التدريب ( فى جمال الدرا�سات اجلامعية‬
‫والدرا�سات فوق اجلامعية وللمهند�سني والفنيني ) ‪ .‬كما ا�شتمل املعر�ض على مطبقات �إعالمية‬
‫ومل�صقات تظهر �أ�سماء العاملني باملعهد و�أق�سامه و�أهدافه‬

‫وقد كانت مو�ضوعات اجلل�سات على النحو التاىل ‪:‬‬

‫اجلل�سة الأوىل ‪ :‬واقع ال�سيا�سات والتنفيذ فى الإ�سكان احل�ضرى‬

‫اجلل�سة الثانية ‪ :‬الأداء فى املبانى ومواد البناء فى ال�سودان‬
‫اجلل�سة الثالثة ‪ :‬مواد الطرق وت�صميمها فى ال�سودان‬
‫اجلل�سة الرابعة ‪ :‬م�ستقبل الهند�سة اجليوتقنية فى ال�سودان‬
‫اجلل�سة اخلام�سة ‪ :‬معايري وقوانني املمار�سة فى املبانى والطرق‬
‫اجلل�سة ال�ساد�سة ‪� :‬أداء الطرق و�سالمة حركة املرور‬
‫اجلل�سة ال�سابعة ‪ :‬تقييم الأداء املا�ضى واحلا�ضر للمعهد ‪ ،‬وم�ستقبل ر�ؤاه‬

‫وفى اليوم الأخري من �أيام االحتفال ‪ ،‬ك َّرم املعهد �سبعة ع�شر من عامليه الذين تقاعدوا باملعا�ش‬
‫‪ ،‬والذين كانت لهم م�ساهمتهم البارزة وامل�ؤثرة فى تقدم املعهد ‪.‬‬

‫وبهذه املنا�سبة ‪ ،‬نذكر �أن جملة بحوث املبانى والطرق تلعب دور ًا عظيم ًا فى توثيق نتائج الأبحاث‬
‫التى يجربها معهد بحوث البناء والطرق ‪ ،‬وتن�شر املعرفة فى احلقل املتعلق بوظيفة املعهد‬
‫و�إىل هذا اليوم بلغت �إ�صدارات املجلة ‪ 15‬جملد ًا منذ ت�أ�سي�سها فى ‪ 1997‬ون�شرت �أكرث من ‪75‬‬
‫ورقة علمية حم َّكمة ‪ .‬ولي�س من �سبيل �إىل ا�ستمرارية هذه املجلة فى ال�صدور �إال ب َرفدها باملادة‬
‫الفنية اجليدة املتعلقة مبجالها ‪ ،‬ولهذا ندعو املهند�سني واملعماريني وغريهم الذين يعملون‬
‫فى خمتلف املجاالت املتعلقة بتخ�ص�ص هذه املجلة �إىل �أن ميدوها باملادة العلمية ال�صاحلة‬
‫للن�شر‪.‬‬

‫‪78‬‬ ‫‪Journal of BRR VOL 16 Aug 2014‬‬