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Asunción’s historical downtown View of the historic center and the old port in Asunción Bay
Invitation
TheGeotechnical Society of Paraguay (SPG), active member of the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (ISRM), is pleased to invite you to the IX Latin American Rock Mechanics Symposium that will take place in the beautiful city of Asunción, Paraguay from September 20th to 22nd. The congress will host the theme “Challenges in rock mechanics: towards a sustainable 3 López Palace. Government house development of infrastructure” covering topics of present relevance and interest for the Latin-American region.
Asuncion, capital of Paraguay and known as the Green Capital of Ibero-America due to its rich and abundant greenery, is a dynamic and growing city that combines nature, historical colonial-style architecture and infrastructure. Being at the heart of South America, the city offers easy access from every part of the world and has already been host to many other important international events. Comfortable Pantheon of the Heroes accommodation in national and international hotel chains is available, as well as many modern conference facilities. Challenges in rock mechanics: towards a sustainable development of infrastructure Columnar Sandstone
The IX Latin American Regional Confe- Topics will include but not be limited to rence of ISRM will host the conversation the following: taking place worldwide regarding sustai- • Energy infrastructure: dams, reservoirs, nable development. We hope to address waste disposal the main challenges that arise in our • Environmental geomechanics discipline when faced with the massive • Site Characterization needs of infrastructure, in particular in • Soft Rocks developing countries. • Tunneling 4 • Rock mass properties • Rock mass clasification • Shotcrete • Numerical methods
Itaipu Dam Tentative Program
The preliminary program of the IX Latin American Rock Mechanics Symposium will be as follows:
Sep 19 Sep 20 Sep 21 Sep 22 Sep 23 (Sunday) (Monday) (Tuesday) (Wednesday) (Thursday)
RockBowl RockBowl
Opening Meetings Keynote Lecture Keynote Lecture Ceremony Technical Short Courses Visits Keynote Lecture Technical Sessions Technical Sessions and Workshops Welcome Technical Sessions Banquet Closing Ceremony Reception 5
Short Courses and Workshop Social Program Short courses and Workshops will be Paraguayan Harp Concert organized prior to the conference for pro- Tourist Visits: Asuncion Historic Center, fessional training and development. Ypacarai Lake, Jesuit Missions.
RockBowl Competition among students teams. The questions will feature wide rock mecha- nics topics, both theoretical and practical.
Technical Visits • Yacyreta Dam • Itaipu Dam • Columnar Sandstone
Yacyreta Dam Registration
Normal USD 400 Normal ISRM USD 320 Members Asunción - Paraguay Students USD 150
6 History Venue
The Geotechnical Society of Paraguay Asunción is Paraguay’s historic capital (SPG) will be the organizer of this sym- city. It was first established as a fort in posium. The Paraguayan Geotechnical 1537, named Nuestra Señora Santa María Society is a non-profit scientific organi- de la Asunción, and later became the cen- zation that was founded in 1978 for the ter of a large Spanish colonial province. advancement of the geotechnical enginee- Asunción is a city of fascinating history, ring practice and research in Paraguay. beautiful architecture and charming SPG and its members have contributed neighborhoods. Discover the historical in large scale engineering projects such downtown and visit the first train station as the construction of the Itaipu and in South America. Stroll along Palma Yacyreta dams, as well as other important street to reach the National Pantheon of infrastructure projects in Paraguay. Ad- heroes. Enjoy the spectacular lights of the ditionally, it has promoted the study and Government Palace, the Cathedral and 7 diffusion of geotechnics and fostered the the Cabildo. The capital of the Republic improvement of the geotechnical engi- of Paraguay also offers luxurious hotels neering profession and practice. of national and international chains to house visitors, shopping centers and The SPG serves as Paraguay’s National residential areas. Group for the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engi- Paraguay is characterized by its gastro- neering (ISSMGE), the International So- nomy, with countless exquisite flavors ciety for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) and the expressed in diversity of dishes and International Association for Engineering delicious desserts, including typical food, Geology and the Environment (IAEG) made with fresh and natural products. and is strongly linked to other national Asunción is well prepared to host con- groups and societies for the exchange of gresses, conventions and international knowledge and science events, offering optimal infrastructure adding to the warmth and hospitality of its people Booking Information
Asunción is a business destination and arriving with a room reservation is crucial. It is advisable to book accommo- Asunción - Paraguay dation in advance, especially during high season. Some reference prices are detailed in the following table.
Hotel Category *Price (USD) Single $130 Sheraton Asunción Double $140 Single $75 Aloft Asunción Double $80 8 Single $140 Bourbon Conmebol Double $168 Single $80 Crowne Plaza Asunción Double $80
Paraguayan Geotechnical Congress 2018