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Help Us Reach More of Our Community |
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We kindly encourage all Societies to share this newsletter with your members, students, and professional networks. The more voices we reach, the stronger our European geotechnical community becomes. To make this process easier, we offer two options:
Let’s work together to ensure timely updates, opportunities, and success stories reach all corners of our community. For any questions, contact us at: vpeurope.issmge@epfl.ch |
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Empowering Geotechnical Exchange in a Digital World |
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Dear colleagues,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this April 2025 edition of the ISSMGE Europe Newsletter—an issue that reflects not only the activity of our geotechnical community, but also its remarkable energy and direction.
This spring marks an important chapter for us. We are proud to announce the launch of the new ISSMGE Europe website and LinkedIn page, designed to strengthen connections, increase visibility, and support the ongoing exchange of ideas across our region. These platforms are already helping us communicate more effectively, and they will continue to evolve with input from our Member Societies.
I thank all contributors for their updates and enthusiasm. Your ongoing work demonstrates the strength, resilience, and creativity of our European geotechnical community.
With my warmest regards, Prof. Lyesse Laloui ISSMGE Vice President for Europe |
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ISSMGE Europe Goes Digital |
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Explore Our New Website and LinkedIn Page! We’re pleased to unveil the new digital home of ISSMGE Europe, created to foster stronger connections and more effective knowledge exchange across our continent-wide geotechnical community. 🔗 Website: issmge-e.eu Your central hub for news, regional updates, upcoming events, working group activities, and resources for young professionals.
The site is designed to evolve over time based on input from our member societies—ensuring it reflects the diversity, dynamism, and needs of our European community.
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🔊 LinkedIn Page: ISSMGE Europe on LinkedIn Follow us to stay updated on innovations, community highlights, and opportunities to engage across the geotechnical field in Europe. These platforms are your gateway to the evolving landscape of geotechnical engineering in Europe. Let’s stay informed, inspired, and interconnected. 📣 Help us grow—share these links with your society members, students, and colleagues! |
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Announcing the 6th European ISSMGE National Assembly, Rome 16, 2025 |
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📆 Save the date!
In collaboration with the Italian Geotechnical Association (AGI), we are pleased to announce the 6th European National Assembly of ISSMGE, will takie place on Thursday, 16 October 2025 in Rome at the Ara Pacis Museum.
The agenda is currently being developed and will be share with societies in the near future. |
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Sukumar Pathmanandavel (HTC Project Lead) & Emilio Bilotta (HTC Design Team)
The International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) invites all members to take part in the HTC Discoverer Report Competition 2025, with cash prizes awarded to outstanding submissions. This competition is open to all ISSMGE individual members, and full details can be found at: https://htc.issmge.org/discovery. |
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We also encourage strong engagement from ISSMGE Member Societies, Technical Committees, Corporate Associates, Past Presidents, Key Persons, Vice Presidents, and Board Level Committees for supporting the two key elements of the HTC project:
Virtual time capsule Originally launched at the 20th ICSMGE in Sydney, Australia (2022), the virtual capsule is now housed on the dedicated HTC website: https://htc.issmge.org/. The invitation remains open to contribute to the HTC website. Share your memories, reflections, and documents via the contribution portal: https://htc.issmge.org/contributions#sharing-htc
Physical time capsule A sealed physical time capsule will be placed in a technical museum to be opened in 2126, marking 100 years since its closure at the upcoming 21st ICSMGE, Vienna, Austria (2026). Call No.1 for published materials, is open and will run until June 2025. https://htc.issmge.org/physical-time-capsule.
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Sketch courtesy of the Swiss Geotechnical Society – part of their contribution to the HTC project. |
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Let’s ensure our profession’s stories, achievements, and spirit are preserved for generations to come. |
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SWISS GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY |
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Celebrating 70 Years of the Swiss Geotechnical Society |
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The Swiss Geotechnical Society was honoured to welcome a remarkable number of participants to the celebration marking its 70th anniversary. The event brought together members and guests for an evening of inspiration, reflection, and forward-looking dialogue.
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ASSOCIAZIONE GEOTECNICA ITALIANA |
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The Italian Geotechnical Society had a busy 2024. Here are some of its highlights. |
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On 18th December 2024 the XXI Croce Lecture was held in Rome and Prof. Antonio Gens, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), presented an excellent Lecture on “Brittle failure in Geotechnics”. The designated lecturer for the 2025 Croce Lecture is Prof. Mario Manassero. |
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Prof. Sebastiano Rampello (AGI President) gives the plaque to Prof. Gens |
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In memory of Prof. Barla and Prof. Jamiolkowski |
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Two events were jointly held in Turin in memory of Prof. Giovanni Barla and Prof. Michele Jamiolkowski: the Conferences on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering and the Geotechnical Conference in Turin both organized by the Polytechnic University of Turin on behalf of AGI |
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MIR & CGT 2024 – commemoration of Prof. Giovanni Barla and Prof. Michele Jamiolkowski |
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GERMAN GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY |
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Call for papers BAUGRUNDTAGUNG 2026 |
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Call for Papers: 39th Baugrundtagung
23–25 September 2026 | Leipzig Trade Fair, Germany The 39th Baugrundtagung, Germany’s premier conference on soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering, will take place from Wednesday, 23 September to Friday, 25 September 2026 at the Leipzig Trade Fair. Full submission guidelines and additional details are available at: www.baugrundtagung.com
Join the conversation shaping the future of geotechnical engineering! |
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New in 2024: DGGT Academy – Workshops, Seminars & Colloquia |
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The German Geotechnical Society (DGGT) is pleased to announce the launch of its new DGGT Academy, established in 2024. This initiative offers a diverse programme of workshops, seminars, and colloquia tailored for DGGT members and all professionals working in the geotechnical field.
📅 Upcoming events and details are available at: www.dggt.de 📩 Registration and inquiries: Email: akademie@dggt.de Contact: Julia Große Siestrup |
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DANISH GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY |
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Danish Geotechnical Society: Strengthening Practice, Supporting Sustainability |
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New National Guideline: DGF updated its “Guidance in Technical Geology Test Analysis”, reinforcing standards across the country.
Sustainability Grant: Supporting student research into greener geotechnical solutions.
Events: Technical seminars and Science Day foster strong industry-academic exchange.
Upcoming: 75th Anniversary Celebration (Sept 2025) and Drill Rigs & Execution Day (May 2025).
Recognition: Ole Møller named Honorary Member for foundational work in pile design.
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Read the full update here |
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POLISH GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY |
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Poland: Advancing Geotechnics Through National and International Exchange |
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Gliwice 2023 The XIX National Conference on Soil Mechanics and VIII Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference gathered nearly 200 participants across academia and industry, with 65 papers presented in six thematic sessions.
ProGeotech 2024 – Warsaw Focused on geotechnical design and practice, this event brought together 152 attendees from universities and companies. ISSMGE President Dr. Marc Ballouz attended the closing ceremony.
EGRWSE 2024 – Warsaw The 5th International Conference on Environmental Geotechnology and Sustainable Engineering welcomed 180 participants, including Prof. Laloui and Dr. Ballouz, with global dialogue on waste, energy, and climate-focused geotechnics.
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Read more online |
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SWEDISH GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY |
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The Swedish Geotechnical Society celebrates its 75th anniversary. The anniversary will be celebrated in multiple Swedish cities during the year to make sure that as many of the members of the society as possible will be able to join.
The society started in 1950 when Bernt Jakobsson and Walter Kjellman summoned 13 gentlemen to its first meeting. In 1990 the society had 525 members and has since then continued is growth to todays 1737 members. Of those more than 100 members are active in the society as board members, member of committees or as active in different projects and/or courses. |
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Spring Conference 2025 – Geotechnical Engineering Switzerland |
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🌍 Upcoming Highlight: Spring Conference 2025 – Geotechnical Engineering Switzerland 📍 Basel, Switzerland 📅 5–6 June 2025 Focus: Geotechnical Aspects of Radioactive Waste Disposal 🔗 Register Now: www.geotechnik-schweiz.ch Registration Link EN | FR | DE
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Prague Geotechnical Days 2025 |
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We are pleased to announce our European Vice-President, Professor Lyesse Laloui has been invited to deliver the prestigious 31st Prague Geotechnical Lecture on May 26, 2025, at the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague.
This distinguished lecture series celebrates leading contributions to geotechnical science. Professor Laloui will present on: “Advances in Numerical Design and Analysis of Underground Nuclear Waste Repositories”
📌Find out more about the event and register: here |
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The 5th Fachsektionstage Geotechnik – Interdisciplinary Forum |
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Join the 5th Fachsektionstage Geotechnik – Interdisciplinary Forum
7–8 October 2025 | Würzburg, Germany The German Geotechnical Society (DGGT) and its sections—Soil Mechanics, Rock Mechanics, Engineering Geology, Plastics in Geotechnics, and Environmental Geotechnics—cordially invite you to the 5th Fachsektionstage Geotechnik – Interdisciplinary Forum, taking place from 7–8 October 2025 in Würzburg.
📍 Register now at: www.fachsektionstage-geotechnik.com |
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EYGEC 2025: Rijeka, Croatia |
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The 29th European Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference (EYGEC 2025) will take place in Rijeka, Croatia, from September 9–12, 2025, marking a significant moment for young geotechnical engineers across Europe. We extend a huge thank you to Croatia for generously stepping forward to host this important event. Their commitment ensures that we maintain our biennial schedule, providing a valuable platform for our young members to connect, learn, and grow within our field. More details at https://eygec2025.uniri.hr |
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The most important meeting for AGI (Italian Geotechnical Society), now in its XXVIII edition, is currently being organized. The National Conference on Geotechnical Engineering will take place in the beautiful city of Venice from 11 to 13 June 2025. The Scientific Program will focus on “Safety, maintenance, and infrastructure development” and will include 5 General Sessions, 14 Panel Sessions, two Special Sessions. The Technical Exhibition by Sponsors will also take place during the conference. More information available at: https://cng-venezia.it |
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10th Geotechnical Symposium - Kocaeli 2025 |
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The 10th Geotechnical Symposium, organized on behalf of the Turkish Chamber of Civil Engineers (TMMOB) by its Ankara, Kocaeli, and Sakarya Branches, will be held in Kocaeli in November 2025. Follow updates and announcements at: www.geoteknik.org |
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ISSMGE Heritage Time Capsule: Future Focus - Africa & Europe Session |
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Event Date: Wed 3 Sept 2025 Abstract Due Date: Wed 4 Jun 2025 Presentation Due Date: Wed 6 Aug 2025
Call for abstractsA key element of the ISSMGE Heritage Time Capsule is the "Future Focus" phase. This phase is dedicated to reimagining the profession's roles by considering emerging challenges, societal expectations, technological developments, imagination, and philosophical approaches (https://htc.issmge.org/100-years-on). |
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We are hosting a webinar to encourage discussions among academics and practitioners in the geotechnical engineering field on future developments in Africa and Europe. Challenges of interest include aging infrastructure, sustainability and environmental concerns, research-practice gap, geohazards and need for resilience, geo education and professional development, global collaboration and knowledge sharing. |
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ICSMGE 2026: A Centennial Celebration in Vienna |
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The International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE 2026), the flagship event of ISSMGE, will take place in Vienna, Austria, from June 14–19, 2026. Marking the 100th anniversary of Karl Terzaghi’s seminal work, this historic gathering will bring together geotechnical experts from around the world to celebrate the past and explore the future of the field. : https://icsmge2026.org |
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Energy geostructures: analysis and design course |
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Expand your expertise in energy geostructures. EPFL invites you to attend the specialized Energy Geostructures: Analysis and Design course from September 9-11, 2025. Join us either in person at the EPFL campus in Lausanne or participate online from anywhere in the world. Find out more here. |
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Share Your National Lectures – Let’s Promote Them Together! |
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ISSMGE Europe is committed to showcasing the wealth of knowledge within our community, and we need your help! We invite all National Societies to share details of their National Lectures so we can help promote them across our website and social media channels.
By increasing visibility, we can amplify the reach of your lectures, celebrate the contributions of your experts, and strengthen knowledge-sharing across our geotechnical network.
If your society organizes National Lectures, please send us:
The lecture title and speaker’s name
A brief description of the topic
Date, time, and format (in-person, online, or hybrid)
Any relevant links for registration or further information
Let’s work together to bring geotechnical insights to a wider audience! Forward your lecture details to brendan.smith@epfl.ch, and we’ll make sure they get the recognition they deserve. |
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