Winner announced of 2021 BGA Masters Prize

Winner announced of 2021 BGA Masters Prize

The BGA is pleased to announce that Ana Pirrone of Imperial College is the winner of the 2021 BGA Masters prize for her entry “Geotechnical data integration in the calibration of constitutive models using machine learning and metaheuristics”.

Ana’s dissertation was considered by the judges to be innovative and nods to an important step towards a likely future for geotechnical engineering. The developed framework couples Machine Learning and Metaheuristics to integrate various geotechnical data in model parameter calibration, thereby facilitating the use of advanced constitutive models without having to rely on advanced laboratory testing.

The Masters Prize is awarded annually by the BGA for the best MSc/MEng degree dissertation on a geotechnical topic. The other five dissertations submitted for consideration were:

• Ryan Gibson, Dundee University, “Stabilising Shallow Slopes using Recycled Plastic Posts under Seismic Loading”.
• Anabel Flowers, Leeds University, “Low carbon geotechnical remedial solutions to earthwork failures on the UK railway network”.
• Nina Kemp, Newcastle University, “How do roots interact with layered soil?”.
• Michael Watford, Oxford University, “Influence of Group Shape on the Capacity of Horizontally-Loaded Pile Groups in Undrained Soil”.
• Jinghong Liu, University College London, “Strength Mobilisation of Sands”.

The judges found all six Master’s degree dissertations to be of a very high standard and the final decision was close but Ana’s dissertation was selected as the winner.

Ana Pirone receiving the 2021 BGA Masters Prize from BGA Chair Professor David Toll