NGI is Norway's leading geotechnical specialist community and an international centre of research and consultancy in engineering related geosciences. Our expertise is used in both the public and private sectors and management within the fields of offshore energy; building, construction and transportation; environmental engineering issues and natural hazards. NGI was formally established as a research institute in 1953, and in 1985 became an independent foundation. Our head office and laboratories are in Oslo, Norway, with a branch office in Trondheim, Norway, and an avalanche research station on Mount Strynefjellet in western Norway. We have overseas offices and a geotechnical laboratory in Houston, Texas, USA, and office in Perth, Western Australia, as well as partnership agreements with well-established companies and universities around the world. At NGI we practise applied research, pushing the boarders of knowledge and providing results to be made use of by the market, benefiting both society, industry and the public at large. NGI is a recognized international centre for geotechnical engineering and a hub for technical experts and the academia. Through our extensive research and expert advice, NGI helps to ensure that we can all live, build and travel on safe ground.