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be translated to a Computer program. Second, the Computer programs used in geotechnical engineering should be available to the profession in a usable fashion. Third, the geotechnical engineer should be able to use the available Computer programs with confidence in the integrity of the algorithms used, and the capabilities of the Computer codę to accurately translate the algorithms to usable and useful results.

This document outlines a set of proposed objectives of the ISSMFE Sub-committee on the Exchange of Computer Programs in Geomechanics, a set of proposed recommendations to be brought to the Executive Committee of ISSMFE, and a set of proposed continuing sub-committee activities.

3.U2 Proposed Objectives

It is proposed that the sub-committee adopt the following objectives.

1)    To undertake, in behalf of the ISSMFE, activities which will assist the geotechnical engineering profession in exchanging information related to the utilization of computer-based techniąues.

2)    To develop concepts of computer-based technology transfer which will increase the efficiency and application base of Computer utilization in geotechnical engineering.

The objectives defined above are to be accomplished on an international level with due regard and consideration of on-going national activities.

3.*4 3 Immediate Recommendations

It is proposed that the two following recommendations be placed before the ISSMFE Executive Committee at its next meeting.

1)    In recognition of the increasing use of computers in geotechnical engineering analysis, design and construction, it is recommended that the ISSMFE urge each national society to specifically incorporate Computer activities within its technical and policy committee structure.

2)    As a means of facilitating Computer related information exchange within the geotechnical engineering profession, it is recommended that the ISSMFE encourage each national society to urge its membership to submit information concerning Computer program availability to Geotechnical Abstracts for publication. Publication will be in the current, short narrative form.

It is noted that Geotechnical Abstracts maintain classifications which permit the abstracting of Computer programs. It is further noted that in the past, programs have been abstracted in Geotechnical Abstracts.

It is intended that submission of the above recommendation to the ISSMFE Executive Committee be conditioned upon the endorsement of the German National Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering and the ISSMFE Information Advisory Committee. The intent of this recommendation is to use the services of Geotechnical Abstracts as a mechanism for providing publicity concerning program availability. Geotechnical Abstracts will not have any responsibility beyond the publication of short narrative abstracts. The publication of detailed program information will be the responsibility of each national society through procedures defined by the national society.

3.U¹* Proposed Actjyities

The following is a series of proposed activities listed in their suggested order of action. The activities outlined below are conceived as international counterparts to on-going national efforts.

1)    The monitoring of the effectiveness of the use of Geotechnical Abstracts proposed above.

2)    The preparation of a globally oriented position paper on software coordination for geotechnical engineers.

The contents proposed for the paper are as follows:

a)    Need for software coordination.

b)    Software coordination reąuirements.

c)    Staging of software coordination.

d)    Suggested models for organized software coordination.

3)    The preparation of working papers on the following subjects.

a)    Criteria for evaluation and testing of Computer programs in geotechnical engineering.

b)    Guidelines for documentation of Computer programs based upon global use of the programs.

c)    Guidelines for global distribution of Computer programs.

d)    Style guidelines for geotechnical engineering programs.

e) Language specifications for new Computer languages oriented toward geotechnical engineering.

*0 The preparation of State-of-the-Art reports on the use of computer-based techniques in geotechnical engineering.

At such time as the papers outlined in (2), (3), and (u) are produced, they will be submitted to a recognized, agreed upon journal of international stature for publication.

Ali the activities proposed above are considered as global studies which will be complimentary to on-going national efforts.

3.5 The plan for sub-committee action proposed above does not recommend the establishment of a new organization or journal under ISSMFE auspices at this time. It is conceivable that at some futurę time, such an organization and/or journal might be desirable and viable. It is recommended that any ISSMFE endorsement of the said endeavor be contingent upon unambiguous agreement that policy control must rest with the ISSMFE £xecutive Committee. Furthermore, it is recommended that any committees or sub-committees appointed by ISSMFE be clearly chartered as agents of ISSMFE and charged with necessary and sufficient policy control functions.

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