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Geotechnical News
June 2013
www.geotechnicalnews.com
CANADIAN GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY NEWS
to create an innovative and prosper-
ous economy that is ecologically and
socially responsible. The organizers
intend to weave the conference theme
throughout the technical program
and social activities and to remind
delegates of this important goal in
our professional work. The official
languages for the conference will be
French and English.
Montreal is a city of contrasts, situated
on an island with a unique character!
Both cosmopolitan and cozy, our
metropolis is a window to the world.
Full of flavour, it is a mix of deep-
rooted traditions, diverse cultures, and
languages. The charms of old Europe
and the energy of modern North
America both radiate from the heart
of the city, but it is Montreal’s cultural
blend that give it such a unique feel.
The Hilton hotel in downtown Mon-
treal borders the city’s economic hub
as well as the iconic old port. Sights
like the Museum of Fine Arts and
the Notre-Dame Basilica are within
walking distance. Delegates and their
guests may also choose to visit numer-
ous tourist attractions during their stay,
such as Saint-Joseph’s Oratory, the
Casino de Montréal, the Olympic Park,
the Biodome, the Insectarium, and the
city’s brand new Planetarium.
For more information, go to
Canadian Young Geotechnical
Engineers and Geoscientists
(cYGEGC)
October 3 to 6, 2013-04-19
Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Join us in Mont Tremblant for the
4th Canadian Young Geotechnical
Engineers and Geoscientists Confer-
ence (cYGEGC) from October 3 to 6,
2013, a gathering of young engineers
and geoscientists sharing technical
knowledge and career experiences.
Conference Highlights include:
exciting technical presentations
from the delegates
5 keynote speakers with diverse
career paths
A field trip highlighting applica-
tions of geoengineering
More information is available at
2013 APEGA Summit Awards®
Recipients
CGS is pleased to report that Dr. John
Sobkowicz, P.Eng., CGS Vice-Presi-
dent Technical in 2011/2012, recently
received APEGA’s Frank Spragins
Technical Award, awarded for recog-
nized integrity, expertise and outstand-
ing accomplishments. The award
citation for Dr. Sobkowicz noted the
following:
Frank Spragins Technical
Award - Dr. John Sobkowicz,
P.Eng.
Professional Engineer Dr. John
Sobkowicz has successfully taken
on some of the most difficult
geotechnical engineering projects
in Western Canada. In 2011, Dr.
Sobkowicz was chosen to be the
research leader for an important
Alberta Innovates project. He
was asked to identify, screen and
develop a roadmap of tailings
technologies to solve the one-
billion-cubic-metre fluid tailings
dilemma.
Dr. Sobkowicz published a
landmark paper, The Undrained
Equilibrium Behaviour of Gassy
Sediments, in the Canadian
Geotechnical Journal in 1984. The
findings from the study and the
Sobkowicz-Morgenstern theory
are still being used today. He has
published more than 50 papers
in oil sands engineering, water
resources, foundation design
and performance, geotechnical
instrumentation and natural hazard
assessment.
He managed all of the
geotechnical investigations for
the Bennett Dam Sinkhole project
on behalf of BC Hydro and the
design and safety evaluations
of a number of tailings disposal
facilities in the Fort McMurray
area.
Editor
Don Lewycky, P.Eng.
Director of Engineering Services,
City of Edmonton
11004 – 190 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5S 0G9
Tel.: 780-496-6773
Fax: 780-944-7653
Email: don.lewycky@edmonton.ca