Soil Classification in Ontario - Different Systems, One Goal

• 5:30 PM – Cocktails and Socializing
• 6:30 PM – Dinner
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Presentations
• 8:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Panel Discussion/Q&A

Ontario’s geotechnical practice relies on multiple soil classification systems- USCS, MTO, TTC, CFEM, and others - each with its own strengths and limitations. This diversity stems from factors such as project owner preferences (e.g., TTC vs. MTO), consultant inhouse standards, and the era and location where engineers learned their craft. While these variations reflect rich experience, they also create challenges, including reduced cross-project collaboration and inefficiency in execution.

Adding to the complexity is the use of soil grouping and the frequent confusion between soil classification and grouping, which introduces further ambiguity into the state of practice.

Join us for an in-depth technical session where experts will:

• Examine the current classification systems used by TTC and MTO.

• Clarify the concept of soil grouping and its application in TTC projects.

• Highlight common pitfalls in soil sampling and test selection.

The event will conclude with a dynamic panel discussion, featuring representative sample of our industry, aimed at identifying whether changes are needed to state of practice in Ontario. The panel will be mediated by Masoud Manzari and the panelists include Andrew Drevininkas (TTC), Tony Sangiuliano (MTO), Farsheed Bagheri (Metrolinx), Paul Dittrich (WSP), and Andrew Weltz (Powell Foundations). Audience questions, comments, and feedback will be highly encouraged.

Dmitry Olshansky, M.Sc., M.Eng., P.Eng is the Lead Geotechnical Engineer at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and has more than 35 years of experience in the consulting industry related to Geotechnical Engineering and Hydrogeology. He holds a Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering and Hydrogeology from Moscow University (MGRI) and a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Dmitry was a contributor to “Chapter 4: Classification of Soil and Rock” in the updated Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual (5th Edition, 2023). He has been involved in number of major infrastructure expansion projects in different countries including the investigations and design for the Toronto Subway Extensions (Scarborough and Downtown relief line), Light Rail Transit expansion, Bridges, High-rises, Shoring and Dewatering during construction. Those projects included site investigations, lab and in-situ testing, geotechnical mapping, slope stability assessments, shallow and deep foundation design. During the first 20 years of his career, Dmitry has carried out numerous different types of lab and in-situ tests. He later transitioned to more design-related work in the geotechnical and hydrogeology field.

Olta Kociu, M.A.Sc., P.Eng is a Senior Foundations Engineer at the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO), with over 15 years of experience in the planning, design, and delivery of infrastructure projects across the province. Her expertise spans a wide range of geotechnical applications, including highway widening, twinning, and realignment; structures rehabilitation and replacement; embankment construction over soft soils; ground improvement techniques; tunnelling, etc.

In addition, she plays a key role in the development and revision of MTO’s policies and standards related to foundation engineering, ensuring alignment with evolving industry practices and innovations. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering with Honours and a Master of Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Notes:

• All attendees are eligible for 1.5 hours of PEO Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.
• Tickets are sold based on first come first served.
• There is a maximum of 10 tickets available for students.
• No refund is possible from 48 hours to the start of the event.

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