INFORMATION RETRIEVAL AND COMMUNICATION

An important part of all aspects of geotechnical activities, such as research, education, project planning, design and construction, is quick access to relevant information. The recently developed and still emerging tools of Information Technology (IT) offer new, exciting possibilities for efficient access to, and retrieval and exchange of scientific and other technical information. IT tools such as databases, Web sites and e-mail are used extensively today and their present use and future application will be discussed. This presentation focuses on the importance of IT for information retrieval and communication of scientific and technical information. Access to and exchange of geotechnical information via the Internet is probably the most important development. Different types of databases, classification of technical information, dissemination and information retrieval via the net are discussed. Furthermore, other methods of communication such as e-mail, mailing lists, news groups and virtual conferences, are described briefly. The outlook for the near future indicates rapidly extending use of IT in most areas of geotechnical engineering, particularly in education, R&D, design and construction. Knowledge based systems, virtual reality and virtual universities will be essential tools used on a daily basis by students, teachers and scientists, as well as by practicing engineers. The focus of the presentation will be on the use of the Internet for information and communication. The paper includes a list of links to relevant Internet information resources.