In this episode, we’ll cover global project highlights, new tools and research, a deep-dive topic on Rare historic alignment, a brief look back at geotechnical history, and finally, we’ll share some upcoming courses and seminars from around the globe.

Segment 1: Global Project Highlights:

Highway embankment gives way in Kollam, investigation begins

https://www.geoengineer.org/news/highway-embankment-gives-way-in-kollam-investigation-begins

Roger Bullivant trials first 100% electric piling rig in the UK

https://www.soletanche-bachy.com/en/roger-bullivant-first-use-of-a-100-electric-piling-rig-in-the-uk/

Vietnam Hit by multiple landslides after extreme rainfall, intensifying the human impact

https://www.geoengineer.org/news/vietnam-hit-by-multiple-landslides-after-extreme-rainfall-intensifying-the-human-impact

VTA hosts West Portal construction site tour

https://www.tunnelsandtunnelling.com/news/vta-hosts-west-portal-construction-site-tour/?cf-view

Segment 2: Research and Tech Tools

Active Earth Pressure on Retaining Walls with Narrow Backfill Adjacent to Rock Faces

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10706-025-03533-0

Novel particle reconstruction and tracking algorithms to reveal 3D micromechanical behaviors of coral sands

https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cgj-2025-0655

Creep Behavior of Soft Argillaceous-Marly Rocks Interpreted Using the PIV Method: Case Study from Tabriz

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10706-025-03544-x

Novel erosion law based on CFD-DEM simulations and its application in hydromechanical modeling of gap-graded soils

https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cgj-2024-0612

Segment 3: Deep Dive Topic

‘Three norths’ set to leave England after rare historic alignment

https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/three-norths-set-to-leave-england-and-not-return-for-hundreds-of-years/

Segment 4: This Week in Geotechnical History

1456 Central Italy earthquakes — Desemner 5, 1456

https://www.geoengineer.org/on-this-day/12/05

Segment 5: Upcoming Courses & Seminars

Event links:

· https://softsoils2026.dryfta.com/

· https://energystorageeurope.eu/event/energy-storage-summit-germany-berlin/

· https://conferenceindex.org/conferences/geotechnical-engineering

· https://isrm.net/conference

For suggestions and feedback: thisweekingeotechnics@gmail.com