Allen Marr, P.E., CEO of Geocomp Corporation of Boxborough Is Keynote Speaker at GeoCongress 2006 in Atlanta

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CONTACT: Steven V. Dubin, PR Works, (781) 582-1061, sdubin@prworkzone.com

DATELINE: BOXBOROUGH, MASS…The Information Age has kept many industries in perpetual motion, including the geo-engineering industry. In a presentation at GeoCongress 2006, the annual conference of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), W. Allen Marr, P.E., President of Geocomp Corporation, discussed the importance of engineering judgment in an Information Technology (IT) dominant world. Geocomp Corporation, headquartered in Boxborough, Mass., is a leader in identifying and managing underground risks associated with the design, construction and operation of wide-ranging public and private works projects.

Marr, an ASCE fellow, was one of the keynote speakers at GeoCongress 2006 held in Atlanta. In his presentation, Marr discussed how critical thinking, which includes the (human) elements of interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, explanation and self-regulation, is a central aspect of engineering judgment which cannot and should not be replaced by sophisticated IT tools. Although geotechnical engineering may change as IT tools become increasingly powerful and pervasive, Marr stressed the importance of engineering judgment in an IT dominant world and talked about how geo-engineers can make more effective use of IT tools in the future.

“Geotechnical engineering can be viewed as a process that consists of five stages: Investigation, Analysis, Prediction, Observation and Evaluation. Each stage requires the application of critical thinking skills. Good engineering judgment is central to geotechnical engineering, even in the Information Age,” explained Marr.

Marr, a renowned and dynamic speaker within the geo-engineering industry, is available for speaking engagements. To arrange for a presentation, contact (978) 635-0012.

A white paper of the presentation, “Geotechnical Engineering and Judgment in the Information Age” by Marr is available for download at Geocomp Corporation’s website, www.geocomp.com

About ASCE
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ GeoCongress 2006 theme was centered around the adoption and integration of information technologies and its impact on all aspects of the geotechnical engineering field. ASCE world headquarters is located at 1801 Alexander Bell Drive in Reston, Virginia. For more information, contact ASCE Toll Free at (800) 548-2723 or visit their website at www.asce.com

Technologies to Manage Risk for Infrastructure

Established in 1982, Geocomp Corporation helps clients identify and manage risks associated with the construction and operation of infrastructure. A technology-based company, Geocomp focuses on identifying and applying the most appropriate technologies to help clients manage risk cost effectively.

Geocomp’s Consulting, Lab Systems, Field Systems and GeoTesting services provide clients with a comprehensive understanding of the underground conditions and potential hazards below the surface to effectively minimize the risks of worker and public safety, construction delays, additional costs and damage to property. The company’s full range of solutions include: analysis methods to identify and quantify significant sources of risk; materials testing to reduce uncertainty in structural behavior; development of client specific software and hardware solutions; and real-time WEB-based monitoring to reduce consequences of unexpected performance.

From the “Big Dig” Central Artery/Tunnel in Boston, Massachusetts to the Metro subway in Athens, Greece to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Washington, D.C. and the Tonen Refinery in Kawasaki, Japan, Geocomp’s team of engineers has more than 100 years of combined experience in helping clients identify, manage and mitigate underground risk.

Geocomp Corporation is headquartered in Boxborough, MA. For additional information about the company, please visit the website, www.geocomp.com, or contact (978) 635-0012.