AGS Brisbane Symposium 2025
From Setbacks to Success: Geotechnical Lessons Learned
The Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Queensland Chapter is holding its annual Brisbane Symposium 2025 titled “From Setbacks to Success: Geotechnical Lessons Learned” on Tuesday 25 November 2025. The symposium, a full-day event, will feature a morning break, lunch, an afternoon break, and networking drinks. It will commence with updates on the Chapter’s activities and the presentation of the 2025 report, as well as the chapter’s plan for 2026, followed by a series of technical presentations.
The symposium forms part of the continuing program of events organised by the AGS Queensland Chapter. It seeks to foster ideas and discussions concerning one of the fundamental aspects of design, construction, and research that are increasingly gaining traction in both industry and academia.
The Event
This one-day Symposium offers a vital exploration into the real-world complexities of Geotechnical Engineering. We’ll delve into significant project challenges, dissecting what went wrong and, more importantly, how those “setbacks” were transformed into remarkable successes. Through compelling case studies and expert presentations, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how past geotechnical setbacks have led to significant advancements and successful outcomes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the field.
Join us to cultivate a proactive approach to geotechnical challenges, turning potential pitfalls into pathways for innovation and improved project delivery. This is a unique opportunity to learn from the collective experience of the industry, equipping yourself with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate future complexities with greater confidence and achieve consistently successful outcomes in your own geotechnical endeavours.
Symposium Speakers
John Wagstaff Director, Wagstaff Piling
Whispers from the Earth: Six Decades Navigating the Complexities of Soil and Rock
Prof. Harry Poulos Senior Consultant, Tetra Tech Coffey
Building failures caused by adjacent construction activities
Evelyn Storey Director (Eminence & Sustainability), Aurecon
When soil-structure interaction goes wrong – lessons learned from a Structural Engineer
Dr Jun Sugawara Director (Geotechnical), Department of Transport and Main Roads
Results of 2025 TMR Geotechnical Working Group and the way forward
Allan McConnell Founder, Insitu Geotech Services
Geo-calamities – three short stories of projects gone badly wrong
Em. Prof. David Williams Emeritus Professor, The University of Queensland
Lessons from ongoing tailings dam failures
Ian Shipway & Sally Roberts-Kelly Senior Principal & Associate, EDG Consulting
The perils of the GIR
Dr Burt G Look Director, AGTRE
Case studies on the ABCs of design compared with the DEFG …. WXYZ of construction
Dr Narges Khajavi GHD
Site-specific seismic hazard assessment and its implications in design
Dr Amir Shahkolahi National Technical Manager, Global Synthetics
Lessons learnt from failure of MSE retaining walls
Jaime Wilson Moya Principal Geotechnical Engineer, FSG
The Best-Laid Plans…Often Go Awry – Tales From a Mega-Project
Dr Sujatha Manoj Technical Director & Geotechnical Services Leader, Beca
Ground risk due to underground anomalies – A case study of failure and remediation of a water tank
Sponsorship Opportunities
A range of sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please contact Arsh Kaur via [email protected]
Organising Committee
- Dr Arsh Kaur, Aurecon (Symposium Chair)
- Vincent Blanchet, WSP (Chapter Chair)
- Dr Bindumadhava Aery, Aurecon
- Amir Shahkolahi, Global Synthetics
- Natalie Murphy, WSP
- Dr Chris Bridges, SLR Consulting
- Jared Priddle, FSG
- Andy Law, SMEC
- Jaime Wilson-Moya, FSG
Program
08:00 – 08:30 – Registration
08:30 – 10:30 – Session 1
- Welcome and opening by Symposium Chair
Dr Arsh Kaur, Brisbane Symposium Organising Committee Chair - Welcome, opening and AGS QLD AGM and Annual Report
Vincent Blanchet, Queensland Chapter Chair - Diamond Sponsor Presentation – Wagstaff Piling
- Whispers from the Earth: Six Decades Navigating the Complexities of Soil and Rock
John Wagstaff - Ground risk due to underground anomalies – A case study of a water tank failure
Dr Sujatha Manoj - Lessons from ongoing tailings dam failures
Em. Prof. David Williams
10:30 – 10:50 – Morning Tea
11:00 – 12:30 – Session 2
- Platinum Sponsor Presentation – Ischebeck Titan
- Building failures that have been caused by adjacent construction activities
Prof. Harry Poulos - Site-specific seismic hazard assessment and its implications in design
Dr Narges Khajavi - Lessons learnt from failure of MSE retaining walls
Dr Amir Shahkolahi - Gold Sponsor Presentation – Menard
- National QDG Update
Jared Priddle - VIP Photographs — Speakers, organisers, sponsors
12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch
13:30 – 15:10 – Session 3
- Gold Sponsor Presentation – IGS
- When soil-structure interaction goes wrong — lessons learned from a structural engineer
Evelyn Storey - Geo-calamaties – three short stories of projects going badly wrong
Allan McConnell - The Best-Laid Plans… Often Go Awry — Tales From a Mega-Project
Jaime Wilson - National Update
Joanna Sylvester
15:10 – 15:30 – Afternoon Tea
15:45 – 17:05 – Session 4
- Gold Sponsor Presentation -Macquarie Geotech
- Results of 2025 TMR Geotechnical Working Group and the way forward
Dr Jun Sugawara - The perils of GIR
Ian Shipway & Sally Roberts-Kelly - Case studies of the ABCs of design compared with the DEFG… WXYZ of construction
Dr Burt Look - Gold Sponsor Presentation – Geomotion
- Closure – Word of thanks
17:05 – 18:00 – Networking and Drinks
Engineers Australia members participating in AGS technical sessions can record attendance on their personal CPD logs. Members should refer to Engineers Australia CPD policy for details on CPD types, requirements and auditing guidelines.