Numerical Methods in Geomechanics, Volume 1 PDF

Preface

These proceedings comprise the papers presented at the 6th International Conference on Numerical Methods in Geomechanics in Innsbmck from 11-15 April 1988. The 480 papers submitted were of such a high scientific standing that it was difficult indeed to not accept them all for publication.

This conference has set itself the goal of narrowing die gap that exists between the theory and practice of numerical methods in geomechanics. Numerical methods enjoy an ever increasing role in the design of large structures in geotechnical engineering. Despite the enormous expansion in the use of nonlinear theories for describing the complex properties of soil and rock, design engineers are still faced with many unsolved problems. This conference flius aims to familiarize the design engineer with the latest advances in his field.

The conferences held since 1972 in Vicksburg, USA are a good indication of how rapidly technological developments take place; interest grew steadily from Blacksburg, USA (1976) to Aachen, FR Germany (1979), Edmonton, Canada (1982) and, most recently, Nagoya, Japan (1985). In continuation of this 16-year tradition, the 1988 conference focuses its attention on new topics such as ice mechanics, modeling of joints and of infinite domains, in order to bring the latest trends in research to a broader audience. The paper and posters received from 38 different coimtries show how intensely this field is researched throughout the world.

We are indebted to the fiitemational Committee for Numerical Methods for their guidance and experience in setting up this conference. The scientific content of the conference was the responsibility of the Conference Committee, to whose members, in particular Prof. Desai (University of Arizona, Thcson), Prof. Duddeck (University of Braunschweig), Prof. Wittke (University of Aachen), Prof. Gioda (University of Milan), Prof. Kawamoto (Nagoya University), Prof. Ichikawa (Nagoya University), we express our grateful appreciation for their support, valuable advice and especially for their painstaking review of papers. This enormous undertaking also owes its success to the assistance of additional reviewers: Prof. WAmbach (University of Innsbmck), Prof. J.R.Booker (University of Sydney), Prof. J.Carter (University of Sydney), Dr. A.Cividini (University of Milan), Dr. R.Cowling (Mount Isa Mines, Australia), l^ f. L.Gaul (University of Hamburg), Dr. M.John (BLF Consulting Engineers, hmsbrack). Prof. TKawamoto (Nagoya University), Prof. H.Kulhawy (Cornell University, New York), Dr. J.Meek (University of Queensland, Australia), Prof. W.Schober (University of hmsbrack). Prof. B.Schrefler (University of Padua), Prof. G.I.Schueller (University of Innsbruck), Dr. H.F.Schweiger (University of Graz), Prof G.Seeber (University of hmsbrack). Prof M.Zaman (University of Oklahoma).

The day-to-day planning for the conference was performed by the Local Organizing Committee; Dr. H.Wagner (Mayreder Consult, Linz), Dr. M.John (ILF Consulting Engineers, hmsbrack), DipLIng. ELaabmayr (Consulting Engineer, Salzburg), Prof K.Moser (University of hmsbrack). Dr. H.Passer (Consulting Engineer, hmsbrack). Dr. J.Pelz (City of Vienna), Dr. WPircher (TIWAG, Innsbruck), Prof. W.Schober (University of Innsbruck), Prof G.Seeber (University of Innsbruck) who are thanked for having taken on such a multitude of tasks, and here particularly Professor Kurt Moser, whose long-standing support has decisively influenced developments in this technical field. The major portion of the coirference preparations was, however, in the capable hands of my co-woifcers, higo Mader, Wolfgang Mertz and Gerald Zenz, whose assistance was made possible through a grant from the Austrian ‘Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaft’ (projects S30-2C and P 5723), which we gratefully acknowledge.

The conference is generously sponsored by the following bodies: International Committee for Numerical Methods in Geomechanics, University of hmsbrack, Austrian Society for Geomechanics (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Geomechanik), Austrian Federal Chamber of Engineers (Bundesingenieuikammer), Austrian Society of Industrial Constraction Firms (Vereinigung Industrieller Bauuntemehmen Österreichs).

A final word of thanks is owed to the conference participants for their interest in the conference and their scientific contribution.

Author: G. Swoboda