Proceedings of the Rocscience International Conference 2025 (RIC 2025)
Conference: Proceedings of the Rocscience International Conference 2025 (RIC 2025)
Date: 6-8 April 2025
Location: Sydney, Australia (Hybrid)
Website: https://www.rocscience.com/events/rocscience-international-conference-2025 Foreword for the Rocscience International Conference 2025 Proceedings Dear Authors and Readers,
We are delighted to present the proceedings of the Rocscience International Conference (RIC 2025), held in Sydney, Australia, from April 6–8, 2025. This landmark conference brought together geotechnical professionals from across the globe under the theme “Beyond the Surface: Deepening our Understanding of Geotechnical Challenges.” It marked a significant milestone since it was the first Rocscience International Conference held in the Southern Hemisphere. The conference successfully achieved its objectives of fostering an environment for exchanging innovative ideas and discussing critical issues in geotechnical engineering. Over 200 attendees participated and 78 technical papers were presented. The participants came from several countries and regions, reflecting the international scope and significance of the conference. The event’s program included specialized technical modules, keynote presentations from distinguished international speakers, and technical sessions covering mining, civil engineering, and general geotechnical topics. Outstanding Keynote Presentations Four distinguished keynote speakers delivered presentations at RIC2025 that advanced our understanding of critical geotechnical challenges. Dr. Youssef M. A. Hashash from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign presented “Advances in Nonlinear Seismic Structure-Fluid-Soil Interaction Modelling.” Dr. Vassilios Marinos from the National Technical University of Athens spoke on the “Integration of Rock Mass Classification Systems and Behavior with Geotechnical Design Tools for Tunnelling-Quantifying the Qualitative.” Dr. Riadh Al-Mahaidi from the Swinburne University of Technology shared insights on “Innovative Materials and Hybrid Testing Techniques for Safer Structures under Extreme Events,” and Prof. Dr.ir. Jan Rots from the Delft University of Technology presented “Smeared and Discrete Crack Models in DIANA and Their Use in Geotechnical and Mining-Induced Soil-Structure Interactions.” Technical Sessions and Special Events The conference featured several technical sessions organized into tracks that covered mining slope stability, tunnelling, underground excavations, rockfall, uncertainty and risk evaluation, tailings, material characterization, piling and settlement, and environmental engineering and groundwater analysis. The conference, in collaboration with the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) on Risk & Reliability, also hosted a special session that provided additional technical depth. Student participation was particularly encouraged through the dedicated Best Student Paper Contest, which recognized outstanding contributions from emerging geotechnical professionals. Lifetime Achievement and Legacy Awards The presentation of the third Rocscience Lifetime Achievement Award to Prof. Harry Poulos, Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney and Senior Consultant with Tetra Tech Coffey, was a highlight of RIC2025. Professor Poulos’s groundbreaking contributions to pile foundation analysis and design include work on iconic projects such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. His efforts have transformed geotechnical engineering practice worldwide.>/br> The conference also launched the Evert Hoek Legacy Medal, a new award recognizing the most outstanding paper presented at the conference. The medal honours the innovative spirit and rigorous scholarship that Dr. Evert Hoek exemplified throughout his career. Acknowledgments We are very grateful to all the individuals and organizations who contributed to RIC2025’s success. We are deeply appreciative of our sponsors, Maccaferri, Geobrugg, Pangea Geosystems Pty Ltd, GEOVIA, and GroundProbe, whose support made this conference possible. We thank all the authors who contributed technical papers, the dedicated reviewers who ensured the quality of submissions, the keynote speakers who shared their expertise, and the organizing committee members who worked tirelessly to deliver an excellent conference experience. We also thank the volunteers and supporting institutions whose efforts were instrumental in the conference’s success. Looking Forward The proceedings represent the collective knowledge and thinking of our global geotechnical community. These papers showcase emerging trends in artificial intelligence applications, advanced numerical modelling techniques, innovative testing methods, and cutting-edge solutions to complex geotechnical challenges. We hope that these proceedings will be a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students. The success of RIC2025 has strengthened our commitment to helping advance the geotechnical engineering profession through knowledge sharing and international collaboration. As we continue to push the boundaries of our understanding and develop innovative solutions to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world, we look forward to future RIC’s that further unite our global community. Thank you for your continued support and contribution to the advancement of geotechnical engineering. Reginald Hammah
Technical Co-chair, RIC 2025,
Director of Rocscience in Africa Alison McQuillan
Technical Co-chair, RIC 2025,
Director of Rocscience in Australia Thamer E. Yacoub
General Chair, RIC 2025,
CEO and President Sina Javankhoshdel
Chair of Publications Committee, RIC 2025,
Senior Manager
Date: 6-8 April 2025
Location: Sydney, Australia (Hybrid)
Website: https://www.rocscience.com/events/rocscience-international-conference-2025 Foreword for the Rocscience International Conference 2025 Proceedings Dear Authors and Readers,
We are delighted to present the proceedings of the Rocscience International Conference (RIC 2025), held in Sydney, Australia, from April 6–8, 2025. This landmark conference brought together geotechnical professionals from across the globe under the theme “Beyond the Surface: Deepening our Understanding of Geotechnical Challenges.” It marked a significant milestone since it was the first Rocscience International Conference held in the Southern Hemisphere. The conference successfully achieved its objectives of fostering an environment for exchanging innovative ideas and discussing critical issues in geotechnical engineering. Over 200 attendees participated and 78 technical papers were presented. The participants came from several countries and regions, reflecting the international scope and significance of the conference. The event’s program included specialized technical modules, keynote presentations from distinguished international speakers, and technical sessions covering mining, civil engineering, and general geotechnical topics. Outstanding Keynote Presentations Four distinguished keynote speakers delivered presentations at RIC2025 that advanced our understanding of critical geotechnical challenges. Dr. Youssef M. A. Hashash from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign presented “Advances in Nonlinear Seismic Structure-Fluid-Soil Interaction Modelling.” Dr. Vassilios Marinos from the National Technical University of Athens spoke on the “Integration of Rock Mass Classification Systems and Behavior with Geotechnical Design Tools for Tunnelling-Quantifying the Qualitative.” Dr. Riadh Al-Mahaidi from the Swinburne University of Technology shared insights on “Innovative Materials and Hybrid Testing Techniques for Safer Structures under Extreme Events,” and Prof. Dr.ir. Jan Rots from the Delft University of Technology presented “Smeared and Discrete Crack Models in DIANA and Their Use in Geotechnical and Mining-Induced Soil-Structure Interactions.” Technical Sessions and Special Events The conference featured several technical sessions organized into tracks that covered mining slope stability, tunnelling, underground excavations, rockfall, uncertainty and risk evaluation, tailings, material characterization, piling and settlement, and environmental engineering and groundwater analysis. The conference, in collaboration with the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) on Risk & Reliability, also hosted a special session that provided additional technical depth. Student participation was particularly encouraged through the dedicated Best Student Paper Contest, which recognized outstanding contributions from emerging geotechnical professionals. Lifetime Achievement and Legacy Awards The presentation of the third Rocscience Lifetime Achievement Award to Prof. Harry Poulos, Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney and Senior Consultant with Tetra Tech Coffey, was a highlight of RIC2025. Professor Poulos’s groundbreaking contributions to pile foundation analysis and design include work on iconic projects such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. His efforts have transformed geotechnical engineering practice worldwide.>/br> The conference also launched the Evert Hoek Legacy Medal, a new award recognizing the most outstanding paper presented at the conference. The medal honours the innovative spirit and rigorous scholarship that Dr. Evert Hoek exemplified throughout his career. Acknowledgments We are very grateful to all the individuals and organizations who contributed to RIC2025’s success. We are deeply appreciative of our sponsors, Maccaferri, Geobrugg, Pangea Geosystems Pty Ltd, GEOVIA, and GroundProbe, whose support made this conference possible. We thank all the authors who contributed technical papers, the dedicated reviewers who ensured the quality of submissions, the keynote speakers who shared their expertise, and the organizing committee members who worked tirelessly to deliver an excellent conference experience. We also thank the volunteers and supporting institutions whose efforts were instrumental in the conference’s success. Looking Forward The proceedings represent the collective knowledge and thinking of our global geotechnical community. These papers showcase emerging trends in artificial intelligence applications, advanced numerical modelling techniques, innovative testing methods, and cutting-edge solutions to complex geotechnical challenges. We hope that these proceedings will be a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students. The success of RIC2025 has strengthened our commitment to helping advance the geotechnical engineering profession through knowledge sharing and international collaboration. As we continue to push the boundaries of our understanding and develop innovative solutions to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world, we look forward to future RIC’s that further unite our global community. Thank you for your continued support and contribution to the advancement of geotechnical engineering. Reginald Hammah
Technical Co-chair, RIC 2025,
Director of Rocscience in Africa Alison McQuillan
Technical Co-chair, RIC 2025,
Director of Rocscience in Australia Thamer E. Yacoub
General Chair, RIC 2025,
CEO and President Sina Javankhoshdel
Chair of Publications Committee, RIC 2025,
Senior Manager