BGA Medal

The British Geotechnical Association Medal is awarded annually (each calendar year) to a paper written by a BGA member (or members) for “meritorious contributions to geotechnical science or practice. The award is based on the best paper published in an international journal and from BGA, ISSMGE and ISRM conferences, and submitted for consideration of the award.

Eligibility and Judging Criteria

The British Geotechnical Association Medal (and certificate) is awarded annually (calendar year) to the best paper written or co-written by one or more BGA members published in an international journal or BGA/ISSMGE/ISRM affiliated conference and submitted for consideration of the award. Text books or industry guidance documents are not eligible for this award.
Where the authors of paper include more than one BGA member a Medal will be awarded to each qualifying BGA author as follows:
- Authors who are qualifying BGA Members wiii receive a Medal and Certificate.
- Authors who are not qualifying BGA Members will receive a Certificate.
Qualifying BGA members are defined as paid up members on 31 December in the year of the award (i.e. one month before the submission deadline).
Papers must be submitted to the BGA for consideration. There is no short-listing of papers from selected journals.
Only authors/co-authors who are members of the BGA in the year of the award can submit papers for consideration.
Papers will only be accepted once, ie those published online one year may not be resubmitted if published in printed format the following year.
Only one submission from a set of BGA authors/co-authors is allowed. This does not preclude a single author appearing on more than one submission if the other papers are co-authored by different BGA members.
For papers with a combination of BGA and non-BGA co-authors a short statement, signed by at least one of the non-BGA co-authors, outlining the contribution(s) made by the BGA co-authors must accompany the submitted paper.
The papers will be judged by a sub-group of the BGA Executive Committee. They will give recommendations to the full Committee who will then make the final decision.
If the BGA Committee is of the opinion that none of the papers submitted is worthy of the Medal no award will be made.
The medal will be awarded at the Annual General Meeting of the BGA in the following year (usually in June).

The call for submissions for the BGA Medal is now CLOSED

Closing Deadline is Midnight on 31 January 2024

Submissions must be made before the deadline via the on-line submission portal on the Prizes Page

Submission Document 1 should be the application form.

Submission Document 2 should be the paper(s) being nominated.

Submission Document 3 should be any supporting letter(s).

Maximum file size for uploads is 32 MB.

Download the application form HERE.

List of BGA Medal Winners

BGA Medal winners are listed below – the prize was awarded as The British National Society for Soil Mechanics Prize in the years 1958–1962, and as the BGS Prize (and later the BGA Prize) thereafter until 2008.

2023	J P de Bono & G R McDowell	Particle-scale simulations of the compression and shearing of kaolin clay. Géotechnique, Ahead of Print, Published online: August 2, 2023 https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.22.00423
2022	K Vinck, T Liu, R J Jardine, S Kontoe, R Ahmadi-Naghadeh, R M Buckley, B W Byrne, J A Lawrence, R A McAdam & F Schranz	Advanced in situ and laboratory charactwerisation of the ALPACA chalk research site. Géotechnique ahead of print. Published on line 25 April 2022 https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.21.00197
2021	T Yao, B Baudet & S Lourenço	Evolution of surface roughness of single sand grains with normal loading. Géotechnique 72, No. 6, 543–555
2020	B W Byrne, G T Houlsby, H J Burd, K G Gavin, D J P Igoe, R J Jardine, C M Martin, R A McAdam, D M Potts, D M G Taborda & L Zdravkovic	PISA design model for monopiles for offshore wind turbines: Application to a stiff glacial clay till. Géotechnique 70 (11), 1030–1047
2019	M S P Wan, J R Standing, D M Potts & J B Burland	Pore water pressure and total horizontal stress response to EPBM tunnelling in London Clay. Géotechnique 69 (5), 434–457
2018	J P de Bono & G R McDowell	Micro mechanics of drained and undrained shearing of compacted and overconsolidated crushable sand. Géotechnique 68 (7), 575–589.
2017	O Ajayi, L Le Pen, A Zervos & W Powrie	A behavioural framework for fibre-reinforced gravel. Géotechnique, 67 (1), 56–68.
2016	A Maheetharan, A Raveendiraraj, O Ousous & R May	Design of pile configuration for optimum raft performance. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Geotechnical Engineering, 169, 139-152.
2015	P-Q Mo, A M Marshall & H-S Yu	Centrifuge modelling of cone penetration tests in layered soils. Géotechnique, 65 (6).
2014	A Gasparre, D W Hight, M R Coop & R J Jardine	The Laboratory Measurement and Interpretation of the Small-Strain Stiffness of Stiff Clays. Géotechnique, 64 (12).
2013	S Springman	A long-term field study for the investigation of rainfall-induced landslides. Géotechnique, 63 (14), 1177–1193.
2012	L Zdravkovic & D Potts	Accounting for partial material factors in numerical analysis. Géotechnique, 62 (12), 1053–1065.
2011	C Y Cheuk & D J White	Modelling the dynamic embedment of seabed pipelines. Géotechnique, 61 (1), 39-57.
2010	L Zdravkovic & V Potts	Finite-element study of arching behaviour in reinforced fills. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Ground improvement, 163, 217-229.
2009	J A Knappett	Influence of axial load on lateral pile response in liquefiable soils. Part I: physical modelling. Géotechnique, 59 (7), 571-581. (Jointly written with S P G Madabhushi)
2008	S Kontoe, L Zdravkovic, D M Potts & C O Menkiti	Case study on seismic tunnel response. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 45, 1743-1764.
2007	No award
2006	H G Poulos	The use of stiffness inserts in pile groups and piled rafts. Geotechnical Engineering, 169 (3), 153-160.
2005	M F Randolph & D J White	Limiting cavity depth for spudcan foundations penetrating clay. Géotechnique, 55 (9), 679 – 690. (Jointly written with M S Hossain & Y Hu.)
2004	D J White & M D Bolton	Displacement and strain paths during plane-strain model pile installation in sand. Geotechnique, 54 (6), 375-397.
2003	A Phear, C Warren and D Patterson	Sustainable chalk fill transfer from Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Geotechnical Engineering, 156 (2), 63-73.
2002	N E Simons, B K Menzies, M C Matthews	Geotechnical Site Investigation. (Textbook)
2001	H G Poulos	Piled raft foundations: design and applications. Géotechnique March, 51 (2), 95-113.
2000	P G Fookes & J N Hutchinson	Total geological history: a model approach to the anticipation, observation and understanding of site conditions. GeoEng 2000, An International conference on Geotechnical & Geological Engineering, 19-24 November 2000, Melbourne, Australia.
1999	T Cuccovillo & M Coop	On the mechanics of structured sands. Geotechnique, 49 (6), 741-760.
1998	M R Cooper, E N Bromhead, D J Petley & D I Grant	The Selbourne Cutting Stability Experiment. Geotechnique, 48 (1), 83-101.
1997b	C C Hird, D A Russell & R A Jewell	The Stability of Single-stage Constructed Reinforced Embankments on Soft Clay. Geotechnical Engineering, 125 (4), 191-205.
1997a	R N Taylor & S E Stallebrass	The Development and Evaluation of a Constitutive Model for the Prediction of Ground Movements in Overconsolidated Clay. Geotechnique, 47 (2), 235-253.
1996	P R Vaughan, Tika & L L J Lemmos	Fast Shearing of Pre-existing Shear Zones in Soil. Geotechnique, 46 (2), 197-233.
1995b	S R Hencher	Contributions to Rock Mechanics. Trans IMM, QJEG, & elsewhere.
1995a	R J Jardine	Contributions to Foundation Engineering. Géotechnique, Proc ICE, & elsewhere.
1994	W Powrie & M Preene	Contributions to Dewatering in Construction. Proc ICE, Geot. Eng. & elsewhere.
1993	J A Charles	Contributions to Engineered Fills. Proc. Conf. Eng. Fills, Newcastle upon Tyne.
1992	D W Hight	Contributions to Bothkennar Soft Clay test site: characterisation and lessons learned. Géotechnique, 42 (2).
1991	J N Hutchinson	Periglacial & slope processes. Quaternary Engineering Geology: Proceedings of the 25th Annual Conference of the Engineering Group of the Geological Society, Geological Society, London, 283–334.
1990	W H Craig & K Chua	Deep penetration of spud-can foundations on sand and clay. Géotechnique, 40, 541-556.
1989	M R Coop & C P Wroth	Field studies of an instrumented model pile in clay. Géotechnique, 39, 679-696.
1988	R A Jewell	Reinforced soil wall analysis & predicted behaviour of the Royal Military College trial wall. The Application of Polymeric Reinforcement in Soil Retaining Structures. NATO ASI Series. 193-235.
1987	J B Boden & R M C Driscoll	House foundations, a review of the effect of clay soil volume change on design and performance. Mun. Eng. 4, 181-213.
1986	G Price & J B Burland	Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre – Geotechnical Aspects. Proc ICE Part 1 Design and Construction, 80, 1479-1503. (Jointly written with J C Kalra.)
1985	C P Wroth & G T Houlsby	Soil Mechanics property characterisation & analysis procedures. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, San Francisco, August 12-16, Vol. 1.
1984	R J Chandler	Recent European experience of landslides in overconsolidated clays & soft rocks. Proc. IV Int. Symp. on Landslides 1, 61-81.
1983b	G W E Milligan	Soil deformations near anchored sheet-pile walls. Géotechnique, 33, 41-55.
1983a	J A Hooper	Non-linear analysis of a circular raft on clay. Géotechnique, 33, 1-20.
1982b	A N Schofield	Dynamic and earthquake centrifuge modelling. Proc international conference in geotechnical earthquake engineering and soil dynamics.
1982a	A D M Penman	Materials & construction methods for embankment dams & cofferdams. International conference on large dams, Rio de Janiero 4, 1105-1228.
1981d	M Randolph	The response of flexible piles to lateral loading. Géotechnique, 31, 247-259.
1981c	M Randolph & C P Wroth	The application of the failure state in undrained simple shear to the shaft capacity of driven piles. Géotechnique, 31, 143-157.
1981b	P G Fookes	Engineering geology of materials for rock armouring.
1981a	K Been & G C Sills	Self weight consolidation of soft soils: an experimental & theoretical study. Géotechnique, 31, 519-535.
1980b	R J Mair	Contributions to soft ground tunnelling. Geotechnique and elsewhere.
1980a	R W Cooke, G Price & K J Tarr	Jacked piles in London Clay: interaction & group behaviour under working conditions. Géotechnique, 30, 97-136.
1979b	C Thornton	The conditions for failure of a face-centred cubic array of uniform rigid spheres. Géotechnique, 29, 441-459.
1979a	R W Cooke, G Price & K J Tarr	Jacked piles in London Clay: a study of load transfer & settlement under working conditions. Géotechnique, 29, 113-147.
1978b	C P Wroth, D M Wood
1978a	R H G Parry	Estimating foundation settlements in sand from plate bearing tests. Géotechnique, 28, 107-118.
1977	A Marsland (& M F Randolph)	Comparison of the results from pressuremeter tests & large insitu plate tests in London Clay. Géotechnique, 27, 217-243.
1976b	N B Hobbs (& P Robins)	Compression & tension tests on driven piles in Chalk. Géotechnique, 26, 33-46.
1976a	A F L Hyde & S F Brown	The plastic deformation of a silty clay under creep & repeated loading. Géotechnique, 26, 173-184.
1975	J R F Arthur (& A B Phillips)	Homogeneous & layered sand in triaxial compression. Géotechnique, 25, 799-815.
1974	J B Burland & C P Wroth	Settlement of buildings and associated structures. Proc. Conf. Settlement Struct., Cambridge. 611-654.
1973b	P R Vaughan & H J Walbanke	Pore pressure changes & the delayed failure of cutting slopes in overconsolidated clay. Géotechnique, 23, 531-539.
1973a	J A Hooper	Observations on the behaviour of a piled raft foundation on London Clay. Proc. I C E. 55, 855-8777.
1972c	K W Cole
1972b	A C Palmer	Undrained plain strain expansion of a cylindrical cavity in clay: a simple interpretation of the pressuremeter test. Géotechnique, 22, 451-457.
1972a	L Bjerrum, J K T L Nash, R M Kennard & R E Gibson	Hydraulic fracturing in field permeability testing. Géotechnique, 22, 319-332.
1971	J B Burland	A method of estimating the pore pressures and displacements beneath embankments on soft clay deposits. Proc Roscoe Mem. Symp., Cambridge. 505-536.
1970b	R G James & P L Bransby	Experimental & theoretical investigations of a passive earth pressure problem. Géotechnique, 20, 17-37.
1970a	M J Tomlinson	Some effects of pile driving on skin friction. Proc. Conf. Behav. Piles, London. 107-114.pore pressures and displacements beneath embankments on soft clay deposits. Proc Roscoe Mem. Symp., Cambridge. 505-536.
1969b	A W Bishop & Z A Al Dhahir	Some comparisons between laboratory tests, insitu tests and full scale performance, with special reference to permeability and coefficient of consolidation. Proc. Conf. Insitu Invest. Rocks Soils, London. 251-264.
1969a	A W Skempton & J N Hutchinson	Stability of natural slopes. Proc. 7th ICSMFE, State of the Art Volume; 291-340.
1968b	R E Gibson & G C Shefford	The efficiency of horizontal drainage layers for accelerating consolidation of clay embankments. Géotechnique, 18, 327-335.
1968a	W H Ward, J B Burland & R W Gallois	Geotechnical assessment of a site at Mundford, Norfolk, for a large proton accelerator. Géotechnique, 18, 399-431.
1967b	A D M Penman & G H Watson	Foundations for storage tanks on reclaimed land at Teesmouth. Proc. ICE. 39, 19-42.
1967a	N N Ambrayses & S K Sarma	The response of earth-dams to strong earthquakes. Géotechnique, 17, 181-213.
1966b	I F Christie	The solution of consolidation problems by general purpose analogue computer. Géotechnique, 16, 131-148.
1966a	T Whitaker & R W Cooke	An investigation of the shaft & base resistance of large bored piles in London Clay. Proc. Int. Symp. Large Bored Piles, London. 7-49.
1965c	N Morgenstern & V E Price	The analysis of the stability of general slip surfaces. Géotechnique, 15, 79-93.
1965b	J L Knill & K S Jones	The recording & interpretation of geological conditions in the foundations of the Roseires, Kariba and Latiyan Dams. Géotechnique, 15, 94-124.
1965a	P W Rowe & K Peaker	Passive earth pressure measurements. Géotechnique, 15, 57-78.
1964b	A W Bishop, M F Kennard & P R Vaughan	Developments in the measurement and interpretation of pore pressures in earth dams. Proc. 8th Int. Congr. Large Dams, Edinburgh. 2; 47-72.
1964a	D H Cornforth	Some experiments on the influence of strain conditions on the strength of sand. Géotechnique, 14, 143-167.
1963	R E Gibson	An analysis of system flexibility & its effect on time-lag in pore water pressure measurements. Géotechnique, 13, 1-11.
1962b	P Lumb	The properties of decomposed granite. Géotechnique, 12, 226-243.
1962a	P W Rowe	The stress-dilatancy relation for static equilibrium of an assembly of particles in contact Proc Roy Soc, London; Series A, 269; 500-527.
1961	A W Bishop	The measurement of pore pressures in the triaxial test. Conf. Pore Pressure Suction in Soils, London.
1960b	A W Bishop & Morgenstern	Stability coefficients for earth slopes. Géotechnique, 10, 129-150.
1960a	T Whitaker	Some experiments on model piled foundations in clay. Proc. Symp. Pile Fndns: 6th Int Congr. Intl. Ass. Br. & Struct. Engng. Stockholm. 124-39.
1959	A W Skempton	Cast insitu bored piles in London clay. Géotechnique, 9, 153-173.
1958	K H Roscoe, A N Schofield & C P Wroth	On the yielding of soils. Géotechnique, 8, 22-25.