𝐈𝐂𝐒𝐌𝐆𝐄 2026 – 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚: 𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞

23.06.2026

From 15. to 18.06. our research group participated in the 21st International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE 2026). 
The conference provided an important platform for exchange between academia and industry and for discussing current and future challenges in the field.

The group contributed through the following presentations covering experimental investigations, constitutive modelling, numerical methods, 
cyclic soil behaviour, machine learning, earthquake engineering, offshore geotechnics, ground improvement, and micromechanics:

Patrick Staubach, Lukas Knittel, Torsten Wichtmann:
Multidirectional and Irregular High-Cyclic Loading Using the High-Cycle Accumulation Model

Moritz Meyer, Merita Tafili, Lukas Knittel, Torsten Wichtmann:
Investigation of the Predictive Accuracy of Advanced Constitutive Models for Earthquake-Induced Excitations

Joana Bombe, Christoph Schmüdderich, Jan Machacek, Merita Tafili, Torsten Wichtmann:
Simplified Calibration of Hypoplastic Model Parameters Based on Grain Size Distribution Characteristics

Hanieh Babaeizad, Wiebke Baille, Torsten Wichtmann:
Laboratory and Model-Scale Investigation of Biocementation Effects on Sand Behavior and Foundation Bearing Capacity

Mohammad Javad Salimi, Merita Tafili, Nazanin Irani, Torsten Wichtmann:
Micromechanical Investigation of Intergranular Strain Concept in Hypoplastic Models Through DEM Simulations

Gertraud Medicus, Merita Tafili, Patrick Staubach, Mina Mofrad, Mehdi Pouragha, Paul Simms, David Masin, Andy Fourie, Riccardo Fanni, David Reid:
Evaluating Hypoplasticity, ISA-Model and Norsand in Laboratory Test Predictions: Insights from a Round-Robin Benchmarking Exercise

Christoph Schmüdderich, Jan Machacek, Luis Felipe Prada Sarmiento, Patrick Staubach, Torsten Wichtmann:
Development of Methods for the Stability Assessment of Slopes Subjected to Seismic Loading Based on Dynamic FE Analyses

Alexander Sandmann (geb. Stastny), Gertraud Medicus, Lukas Knittel, Vahid Galavi, Merita Tafili, Franz Tschuchnigg:
Constitutive Models for the Cyclic Soil–Structure Interaction of Integral Railway Bridges

Merita Tafili, Nazanin Irani, Mohammad Javad Salimi, Torsten Wichtmann
A Physics-Informed Neural Network to Simulate Granular Soil Behavior

In addition, members of the group contributed to the TC308 Workshop on Energy Geotechnics, including the sessions 
“Bridging Research and Practice” and “Future Challenges in Energy Geotechnics.” The workshop was chaired 
by Merita Tafili and Angelica Tuttolomondo and included valuable industry contributions from Karsten Beckhaus (BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH) 
and David Braxton (ArcelorMittal).

The conference provided an excellent opportunity for scientific exchange and generated important input for ongoing and 
future research activities.