Geotechnical Engineer CDR Example
Geotechnical Engineer · 15+ years experience · Brazil (projects in Panama, Papua New Guinea, and Brazil)
Three Career Episodes from a senior geotechnical engineer based in Brazil with over 15 years of international project experience in hydropower infrastructure, tailings storage facilities, and slope stability. Projects span Panama, Papua New Guinea, and Brazil. This CDR was assessed and approved by Engineers Australia under the Professional Engineer (PE) competency standard.
Hydropower Dam, Panama / Costa Rica Border
Led geotechnical design for a hydropower dam on the Panama / Costa Rica border for Tractebel Engineering (2011 to 2015). Designed a rock-fill dam with an HDPE geomembrane liner and performed limit equilibrium stability analysis using Rocscience Slide 2 with Spencer and Bishop methods. Encountered an unusual bearing capacity challenge at a lahar deposit and proposed pressuremeter testing (PMT) in place of conventional plate load testing, a solution that achieved the required design outcome and was later recognised with the Milton Vargas Award by the Brazilian Association of Geotechnics. Demonstrated PE2 engineering judgment in selecting non-standard testing and PE3 professional contribution through award-recognised innovation.
Hamata Tailings Storage Facility, Papua New Guinea
Senior geotechnical engineer for the Hamata Tailings Storage Facility in Papua New Guinea for KCB (2022 to present). The facility has a design capacity of 62 million tonnes. Performed CPTu and SCPTu in-situ testing and conducted liquefaction susceptibility analysis in accordance with ANCOLD 2019 Guidelines on Tailings Dams. Developed a range of remediation options for the Saddle Dam including rock fill buttress, toe berm, and ground improvement alternatives, and prepared design recommendations for the preferred solution. Demonstrated PE2 advanced geotechnical analysis and PE3 professional accountability in high-consequence dam safety engineering.
Foz do Rio Claro Hydroelectric Power Plant, Brazil
Geotechnical design for the Foz do Rio Claro Hydroelectric Power Plant in Brazil for Tractebel Engineering (2008 to 2009). Designed a horizontal drain system to relieve excess pore water pressure in unstable slopes adjacent to the powerhouse intake structure. Designed steel mesh mattress erosion protection and a riprap blanket using the US Army Corps of Engineers formula for riprap sizing. Used GeoStudio 2007 (SLOPE/W and SEEP/W) for coupled stability and seepage analysis, and RocData for rock mass classification and strength parameter derivation. Demonstrated PE2 competency in slope stability engineering and PE3 accountability in critical infrastructure safety design.
