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    21st International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

    Geotechnical Challenges in a Changing Environment
    Vienna, Austria, 14 – 19 June 2026

    Welcome Message / Invitation video

    Helmut F. Schweiger

    President Austrian Geotechnical Society 

    Chair ICSMGE 2026

    1925 Karl Terzaghi published the book „Erdbaumechanik auf bodenphysikalischer Grundlage“ in Vienna which is widely regarded as the birth of modern soil mechanics. The Austrian Geotechnical Society and the Austrian Society for Geomechanics are proud to jointly celebrate the 100th anniversary of this milestone in geotechnical engineering. 1929 the first Institute and Laboratory for Soil Mechanics was established at the TU Wien. „Where it all began“ is therefore the slogan of the 21st International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE) to be held in Vienna in June 2026. It will be an in-person event because I strongly believe that personal communication and networking is a key component of an international conference. Leading experts in the field have agreed to deliver state-of-the art lectures and for the first time in this series of conferences a plenary session will be organized by the European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC), providing the industry with the opportunity to present their efforts in battling climate change and reducing CO2-footprint of construction industry. I can assure that the organising committee will do everything to make this conference a memorable event, in both, scientific and social aspects and I invite you to come to the beautiful city of Vienna, in the heart of Europe.

    News

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    Green Meeting

    We are in the process of certifying the ICSMGE 2026 according to the Austrian Ecolabel Guideline for Green Meetings and Green events. To reach this goal, we have taken many visible and invisible measures, including:

    • Only a few printed media, and these on environmentally certified paper.
    • No disposable tableware for catering
    • Excellent public transport connections to the venue
    • Free Metro Tickets 
    • Water stations and refillable water bottles for all participants
    • And much more...

    We are grateful for your approval and support of this goal and our efforts.

    • We wish to make it as easy as possible for you to travel by public transport. If possible, please choose an environmentally friendly mode of transport or carpool.
    • If you have to drive or fly, you can offset the related CO2 emissions through compensation payments.
    • If possible, please choose an environmentally certified hotel (Austrian Ecolabel, EU Ecolabel, EMAS, etc.). We have labelled certified hotel options for you. 
    • Support your hotel’s environmental protection efforts (on-demand exchange of towels and bedsheets, etc.).
    • Turn off all lights, electronic equipment (TV, air conditioner, heating, computer, etc.) when you leave your hotel room.
    • Reuse to protect the environment: opt for beverages served from bulk containers or on tap, food served on tableware, milk and sugar that are not individually packaged, etc.
    • Separate your waste (PET, glass, paper, metal, batteries, etc.) and dispose of it in the respective containers available at the venue.
    • Use public transport or walk.
    • Opt for online registration or digital materials instead of printouts/handouts whenever possible.
    • Use your own writing utensils.
    • Return your badges / name tags after the end of the event at the information counter.

    If you have any questions, please contact our Green Meeting officer (office@icsmge2026.org, Tel.: +43 662 875519)

    IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

    Travel to Vienna - by Rail

    Vienna occupies a hub position in Europe‘s international rail network. Intercity and international express trains connect Austrian’s capital with all major cities in Europe.

    Additionally there are direct night trains going among others to Paris, Rome, Hamburg, Brussels etc: ÖBB Nightjet

    Travel to Vienna - by Air

    The direct flight time to Vienna from any European capital does not exceed 3 hours. With a journey time of only 16 minutes from Vienna Airport to the city center the City Airport Train is the fastest way to travel – without stress and traffic jams and in an environmentally friendly way, 365 days a year, every 30 minutes from 05:36 am to 23:39 pm.

    Travel to Vienna - by Car

    Austria‘s expressway network extends right into Vienna, making it convenient and safe to reach the city by car or motor coach from anywhere on the European continent.

    VENUE

    Just 7 minutes by subway U1 from the city center, the Austria Center Vienna is located in the immediate vicinity of the UN headquarters, the Danube and the Donaupark. The station on metro line U1 is Kaisermühlen-VIC.

    From the airport to the Austria Center and adjacent hotels it only takes about 30 minutes by cab or airport express bus.

    For drivers, the Austria Center Vienna is easily reached via the A22 highway and offers own parking decks.

    4 top hotels with 989 rooms are within walking distance.

    Austria Center Vienna

    Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1
    1220 Wien
    Austria


    Austrian Center Vienna

    Important dates

    • Abstract submission deadline: 30.11.2024
    • Abstract acceptance: 31.03.2025
    • Paper submission deadline: 31.07.2025
    • Registration opens: 15.10.2025
    • Paper acceptance: 31.10.2025
    • Final paper upload: 30.11.2025
    • Notification oral/poster: 10.02.2026
    • End of early bird registration: 15.03.2026

    Vienna

    Key Contacts

    Conference Chair

    Prof. Helmut F. Schweiger

    Scientific Chair

    Prof. Dietmar Adam

    Organisation

    Christine Santos Martinez

    Exhibition

    Ing. Thomas Pirkner

    Scientific Co-Chair

    Ass. Prof. Johannes Pistrol

    Chair iYGEC

    Prof. Franz Tschuchnigg

    Local Organizing Committee

    Conference Chair: Helmut F. Schweiger
    President of Austrian Geotechnical Society, Graz University of Technology

    Conference Co-Chair and Scientific Chair: Dietmar Adam
    Secretary General of Austrian Geotechnical Society, TU Wien

    Conference Secretary: Christine Santos Martinez
    Austrian Society for Geomechanics

    Wolfgang Fellin, University of Innsbruck 
    Robert Galler,
    President of Austrian Society for Geomechanics
    Gerald Goger, President of Austrian Association of Engineers and Architects
    Andreas Hausenberger, TU Wien
    Robert Hofmann, University of Innsbruck
    Andreas Körbler, President of VÖBU Austria and Past President EFFC Europe
    Thomas Marcher, Graz University of Technology
    Roman Markiewicz, TU Wien, Terzaghi Archive
    Roman Marte, Graz University of Technology
    Thomas Pirkner, VÖBU Austria and Exhibition Organisation
    Johannes Pistrol, TU Wien, Scientific Co-Chair
    Barbara Schneider-Muntau, University of Innsbruck
    Franz Tschuchnigg, Graz University of Technology, Chair iYGEC
    Wei Wu, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna

    International advisory board

    Marc Ballouz, President of ISSMGE
    Lyesse Laloui, Vice-President Europe ISSMGE
    Mario Manassero,  Past Vice-President Europe ISSMGE
    Andrew McNamara, Secretary General ISSMGE
    Neil Taylor, Past Secretary General ISSMGE
    John Carter, Chairman 20nd ICSMGE
    Helmut F. Schweiger, Conference Chair 21st ICSMGE
    Dietmar Adam, Scientific Chair 21st ICSMGE

    International Scientific Committee