Geotechnical challenges facing infrastructure development in western China

Under China's great plan to develop the western part of the country, infrastructure development is booming in the region and numerous construction projects have sprung up everywhere. Geotechnical work thus requires special attention in the region. This paper presents an overall account of the recent development in Western China and the challenges and opportunities existing in the country The paper also reviews the geotechnical conditions in the mountainous region, the planned and on-going engineering projects on various scales, and the geotechnical challenges facing these projects. Particular references are given to the southwest provinces of China, which are the tributaries to the Yangtze River. The focus will be on the unique topography of the high mountains and steep narrow valleys, the variety of rock structures, and the geotechnical challenges in design and construction. Typical past geohazard events will be presented and concerns related to engineering projects will be discussed.