Services

Teaching and Mentoring Other Professionals

As a former Director of the Geological Engineering Program, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia, and a recipient of the Faculty of Science teaching excellence award, Dr. Wayne Savigny is an established educator in the field of engineering and geology. He has trained two generations of young engineers and geoscientists in classroom, office and field settings. His teaching focuses on glacial processes and the distribution and properties of glacial sediments, but covers all naturally occurring geomorphic processes, the materials they produce, and the variability of the deposits they create. Building on extensive scientific knowledge, his mentoring work has assisted colleagues in understanding the key geological uncertainties with ground conditions at their sites both before and after site investigations are completed; and, carrying this through to the reporting phase of projects so clients are informed of the uncertainties they face, and those responsible for reporting avoid inadvertent risk transfer to themselves. As an extension of his teaching and mentoring work, and his wide-ranging experience, he is well known across Canada and internationally as an expert in geohazard identification and related risk exposure.

Research

Savigny Geoscience research services benefit from years of extensive onsite field experience at locations across Canada and around the world, in-depth knowledge of published literature and strong connections with a range of geoscience experts across Canada. Published maps and reports are integrated with field experience to interpret complex geological processes that created the landscapes and materials at engineering sites. This service often involves creating illustrative schematic diagrams that communicate the complexity and related uncertainties to geotechnical design teams.

Independent Expert Review

Proactive review of projects ranges from the point where in situ investigations are scoped through to the final reporting phase. This involves critiquing the adequacy of geological models developed by others (especially the appropriate use of computer models), the worth of data used in computer visualization models, and the attendant description of residual geological uncertainty. Reactive review involves forensic assessment of projects where geological conditions have led to poor performance of engineered structures, often resulting in costly litigation. This includes working directly with lawyers, insurers and financiers. 

Data Reduction and Analysis

Complementing the other services provided by Savigny Geoscience, data reduction and analysis helps to extract meaning from all types of information.  Modern data management techniques combined with custom software solutions facilitate our clients’ abilities to understand the data they have, and what data they need.  Quantitative data from instrumentation or site investigations can be synthesized with qualitative data from literature and experience to produce actionable and defensible recommendations.