Environmental geotechnics in modern societies

Environment-related problems have become, along with energy issues, a major concern for modern societies and one of the most powerful motors of progress in various engineering sciences.

Environmental problems have two faces: man’s natural environment has to be protected from industrial activities, and conversely, life and goods must be protected against environmental risks or natural hazards. On one hand, man’s industrial and agricultural activities and infrastructure development bring increasing threats to the environment, such as soil, groundwater and air pollution or greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. On the other hand, modern societies are increasingly demanding in terms of security...