Evolution of Three-Dimensional Geotechnical Information Infrastructure

Innovation has always been the priority of the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) to unlock new possibilities and drive advancement in the engineering practice. In 2009, the GEO commenced the operation of the Geotechnical Information Infrastructure (GInfo), which is a digital infrastructure framework for developing and launching geotechnical applications for practitioners and the public. It has since become the authoritative source of geotechnical information in Hong Kong. In recent years, there are remarkable advancements in 3D visualisation and data capturing technologies that revolutionise and transform the way that 3D objects and spatial data are created, analysed and communicated in an immersive and realistic visual representation. Riding on these advancements, the GInfo was migrated to 3DGInfo that creates a new horizon for smarter applications. More 3D objects and spatial data are generated using novel technologies, such as pulsed-laser scanning, photogrammetry and BIM modelling. GEO is also capturing photorealistic 3D mesh models, such as man-made features, landslides, tunnels, etc., to enhance the user experience. In parallel, a 3D geotechnical model (3DGM) is being assembled with existing GI records kept by GEO. The 3DGM will assist planners and engineers with a quick reference of the geology and ground conditions of their development site. The 3DGInfo also acts as the backbone of the GEO digital twin platform that connects the physical and digital world, where predictive analysis can provide simulated scenarios with greater sophistication in visualisation and immersive environment. This paper discusses the smart technologies and innovative solutions provided in the 3DGInfo, that aim to enhance the GEO services and benefit the practitioners