The HKIE Geotechnical Division Annual Seminar 2021 was the 41st seminar of the division, and it was held together with the CIE-HKIE-IEM Tripartite Seminar 2021. In the last four decades we see geotechnical engineers play an important part to the growth and development of Hong Kong. We have seen advancement and innovative engineering in different areas: safety control and management of HK sloping terrain; deep excavation for mass transit railway and buildings in urban areas; larger and deeper tunnels and caverns for transportation, storage and treatment works; deep foundation with complex geology and steep terrain for housings; and reclamations for high rise buildings and infrastructure development. We also see the progress in soil modelling and computation with support of sound site investigation, refined laboratory testing and real-time instrumentation monitoring. In recent years, we see a big shift to harness digital technology that help transform our approach in geotechnical designs, control, and construction. With the theme of “Adapt to Challenges, Create to Thrive”, the Annual Seminar enables us to review and present the achievements that we have made so far. It also provides a platform for our practitioners to share their ideas and experiences, with the aim of generating useful insights from the geotechnical profession to pursue higher goals and meet new challenges.
