OHN10111621341 an Overall Look on the History of Soil Mechanics / Geotechnics

The1stIranianConferenceonGeotechnicalEngineering,22-23October2013 UniversityofMohagheghArdabili,Ardabil,Iran

OHN10111621341 An overall look on the history of Soil mechanics / Geotechnics

Mahmood Vafaeian Retired Professorof Isfahan Universityof Technology [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

Asmost ofthegraduatedpersonsofSoil Mechanics/Geotechnicsbranches,andmany ofstudendsand graduatedinCivilEngineeringfield are interestedtoknowthebasicandsignificantsubjects oftheSoil Mechanicsanditsoverall historical development from thebeginninguptothepresent time,andthey are probablycurious to havealist ofthemostimportant subjectswhichcan beconsidered asthemaintopics for discussionsinthisfield,sothecontentofpresentarticlemay behelpfultoanswerthe mainquestions inthis regards. For thispurpose, thepresent article hasbeen arranged to showthe followingsubjects: a)thename ofthefoundersof different topicsand theories inGeomechanics /Soil Mechanics andFoundation Engineering b) aglance look throughInternationalSociety of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,ISSMGE c) the names of therelatedJournals andsome of the relatedInternational Conferences d)the names ofRankineandTerzaghilecturersandmentioningthetitlesoftheirlectures.This partaimsto twotargets:mentionoingandregardingthe namesofthe mostfamousscientistsandresearchersinthisfield and the most considerable subjects relative tothis field. e)Finally,the titlesofthepaperspresented in17thICSMGEis overlookedandthenumberof papersandthe name ofthe author’s countries arehighlighted.

1- THE FOUNDERSOFTHEBASICFORMULAE(LAWS)IN SOIL MECHANICS

WhenlookingthroughthehistoricalreviewofascientificandtechnologicalbranchsuchasSoilMechanics, it is logically suitable andalsonecessary to remindthe names ofthe persons who presentedandinitiatedthe basictheoriesorfundamentalformulae(thoughsimple)forthefisttime inthissubject. Forthispurpose,the followinglist can bepresented: CoulombC. A.(1736-1806); the shear strengthofsoil (1776) Smith(1769-1839); namedas thefather of Geology DarcyH. (1803-1858);permeability law (1856) RankineW.J. M. (1820- 1872); lateral soilpressure(1857) Atterberg (1846-1927); Classification of finesoils() Boussinesq (1842-1929);distribution of stressesinsoil () Bell (1847-1956); innovationof directsheartest () FelleniusW. (1876-1963); analysis for slope stability (1927) TerzaghiK.(1883-1963);effctivestress,cosolidationtheory,bearingcapacityofsoil,foundationdesign, landslidemechanism,cofferdamanalysis,hisfirstbookin1925namedas“Erbdaumechanik“inViennaas the birthof soil mechanics,…. DuringthetimeofTerzaghiandafterthat,incooperationwithhim -particularlybyhiscolleaguesandhis seniorstudentds-some valuablescientificand practicalreportsandarticlesrelatedtomany problemsinthe fieldofSoil Mechanics were presented whichcould helpthefast development ofthisbranch ofscience.For example,in1932threeofArthurCasagrande’spaperstitled:“studyontheAtterberglimitsoffinesoils”(in 1932),“Theseepageinsidethedams”(in1932)and“Thecharacteristicsofnon-cohesivesoilinfluencialon

1 The1stIranianConferenceonGeotechnicalEngineering,22-23October2013 UniversityofMohagheghArdabili,Ardabil,Iran thestabilityofslopsandembankments”(in 1937) werepublishedrespectivelyinthejournals:PublicRoads (Vol.13,N.8,pp121-136),JournalofNewEnglandWaterWorksAssociatedand J.ofBostonSocietyof Civil Engineer(Vol.23) Rapid developmentofsoil mechanicssubjectininternationalscaleaccompanying withTerzaghi’s personal andspecialinterestindevelopingdifferentviewsofthat,encouragedhimtopublishanotherfundamental bookin1943,named “TheoreticalSoilMechanics”whichcouldshowtheauthor’svastknowledgeatthat time,covering154referencesfromnearly130scientistsandresearchers.In1948,the“SoilMechanicsin EngineeringPractice”authoredbyK.TerzaghiandR.B.Peckandin 1960 “From TheorytoPractice”was published by John Wiley publisher. Duringthe5decadesafterpublishingthefirstbookbyTerzaghi(i.e.1925),thousandsofexperimental reportsandanalyticalmanuscriptshavebeenpresentedby hundredsofresearchers,so mostofproblemsand unknownmatters in this areahavebeen solvedandanswered. Itisobviousthatpresentingaclearandappropriatehistoryofthisbranchofengineeringcanonlybedoneby acooperation ofsomeexpertscientistsinthisfield, whichcertainlycoversa detailedandlongtextthatcan not be presentedinthepresentarticle,soit isreliabletohaveanotherindependenttext,thoughdifferent parts ofthatcanbe foundseparatelyinsomerelevantbooksandrelevantproceedings.It isworthwhileandalso neccessaryatthispointtomensionthatthespecialvolumeoftheProceedingof11thICSMFEin1985 (namedtheJubilee),containsadetailedandfundamentaltextaboutthehistoryofsoilmechanics.Thistext has beenpreparedbythreefamousscientistsatthattime:“J.Kerisel”,A. W.Skemton” and“R.B.Peck”that reviewed three durationsrespectively: i. e. before1700,between 1717 to 1927and 1927to 1985.

2- ISSMGE

The International Society for Soil Mechanicsand Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) haditsorigins inthe FirstInternationalConferenceonSoilMechanicsandFoundationEngineeringheldinHarvardin1936, where a total of 206 delegates attended from20countries in that time. Theaimofthis International Society is thepromotionof internationalco-operationamongstengineers and scientistsfortheadvancementand disseminationofknowledgeinthefieldofgeotechnics,anditsengineeringandenvironmentalapplications. In ordertoensurethecontinuationofthis verysuccessfulinitiative,anExecutiveCommittee wassetupwith KarlTerzaghiasPresident andArthurCasagrandeasSecretary;buttheactivity ofISSMGEintervened becauseofthe 2nd World War,sotheSecondICSMFE wasnothelduntil1948inRotterdam.Againthis provedto bea greatsuccess,with596 delegates.BythetimeoftheThirdICSMFEinZurichin1953,the InternationalSocietyhad becomefirmlyestablished, with Terzaghias Presidentand DonaldTaylorasthe Secretary. In1957 A. W. SkemptonbecamePresident,andtheSecretariatmovedtothe UK.Since1965,the GeneralSecretarieshavebeenJ.K.T.L.Nash(1965-1981),J.B.Burland(1981)andR.H.G.Parry(1981- 1999).ThequadriennialICSMFEbecameanestablishedpatternfrom 1953andtheJubileeConferencewas heldinSanFranciscoin 1985,attracting 2000 delegates andguests. ThefirstRegionalConference wasthe Australa- AsianConferenceheldinAustraliain1952,andquadriennialRegionalConferenceshavealso becomeanestablishedpattern.In1981theSteeringCommitteewassetuptogiveabetterfocustothe rapidlyexpandingSociety.ItbecametheBoardin1985, whichmeetseveryyear,whiletheCouncilmeets everytwoyears.In 1997,theCouncilapprovedachangein nametotheInternationalSocietyfor Soil Mechanics and GeotechnicalEngineering to reflect more accurately the activities oftheSociety. ISSMGEhasexperienceda rapidgrowthinmembership,the32MemberSocietiesand2500individual membersin1957increasingto 50/11500in 1977and71/16500in1998. The growthin membershiphas been matched byincreasingactivities,largelythroughtheestablishmentofmanyactiveTechnicalCommittees and TaskForces.

Presidents of ISSMGE 1936–1957K.Terzaghi (USA) 1957–1961A.W.Skempton(UK) 1961–1965A.Casagrande(USA) 1965–1969L.Bjerrum(Norway) 1969–1973R.B.Peck(USA) 1973–1977J.Kerisel (France)

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1977–1981M.Fukuoka(Japan) 1981–1985V.F.B.deMello(Brazil) 1985–1989B.B.Broms(Singapore) 1989–1994N.R.Morgenstern(Canada) 1994–1997M.Jamiolkowski (Italy) 1997–2001K.Ishihara(Japan) 2001-2005W.VanImpe(Belgium) 2005-2009P.S.SêcoePinto(Portugal) 2009-uptonow J.L.Briaud(USA)

MEMBERSHIP

ISSMGEhas86 MemberSocietiesworldwiderepresenting 18000individual members.These includepractising engineers, teachers,researchers,and equipmentdesigners and manufacturers. Benefitsofmembershipinclude: • possibility tosubmit papers tomany conferences andsymposia • lower conferenceregistrationfees • possibility of membership of oneof 30technical committees working on specific topics • access toworkof ISSMGEin variousfields of activity, including Communications, Education, Technology Transfer • opportunitiesto demonstrate leadership inTechnical Committee, conference and other activities • opportunitiestobuildlasting world-widerelationships • acleardemonstrationof interest and professionalismin thefieldofGeotechnics The Society alsohas23 corporate associates fromindustry.

ADMINISTRATION

The ISSMGE policy making body is theCouncil,consisting of two delegates(one voting) from each MemberSociety, which meets every two years. ThePresidentis elected for four years and is assisted by the BOARDwhichconsistsof the sixRegional Vice-Presidents,thePastPresident, threeappointedmembers,andtheSecretaryGeneralwho is responsible for theday-to-day conduct of theaffairsof the Society

INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

ISSMGEisanaffiliatedmemberoftheInternationalUnionofGeologicalSciences(IUGS) which is itself a member of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU). Close relationshipsaremaintainedwithISSMGE sister societies,the International Societyfor RockMechanics (ISRM)andtheInternational AssociationforEngineeringGeology andthe Environment (IAEGE) via the Federation of the International Geo-engineering Societies(FedIGS). ThesocietyhasalsocooperationswithInternationalGeotextilesSociety(IGS)andwithNetlon Limitedinstitute.

3 The1stIranianConferenceonGeotechnicalEngineering,22-23October2013 UniversityofMohagheghArdabili,Ardabil,Iran

CONFERENCES Quadriennial International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Engineering(ICSMGE) Quadriennial International Congresson Evvironmental Geotechnical (ICEG) Fivequadriennial Regional Conferences Specialist International Conferences, Symposia and Workshops Regional YoungGeotechnicalEngineers'Conferences(YGEC)

TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

Some 700individual members aredirectly involvedin ISSMGE activities throughmembership of oneof the30 full InternationalTechnicalCommittees. Each Committeeis concernedwith a specialist areaof geotechnics, and itsworkmay lead to: • a specialist conference, symposiumor workshop • a review report for discussionat asession ofanInternational orRegional Conference • areport or paper for inclusionin theProceedingsof an Internationalor Regional Conference • aseparately published volume ofpapers,or astate-of-the-artor reviewreport

AWARDSANDHONOURS

TheTERZAGHI ORATION is given by an outstanding Geotech. Engineerat eachICSMGE. The KEVIN NASH GOLD MEDALisawardedat eachICSMGE toaGeotechnicalEngineer whohasmade amajorcontribution to fostering theideasandgoals of ISSMGE. Three ISSMGE YOUNG MEMBER AWARDSwill be made at the Quadriennial International Conference. Theawardsrecognise outstanding contributions to Geotechnical Engineering throughscientific andtechnologicalwork.

MEMBERSHIPENQUIRIES

Anyonewishingto become amemberofISSMGEshould first contact theirlocal Member Society. In case ofdifficulty contact the ISSMGE Secretariat. Organisations interested in CorporateMembershipshouldcontact the ISSMGESecretariat.

TERZAGHI LECTURE CERTIFICATE

This lectureship was established by theSoilMechanicsand FoundationsDivision (nowthe Geo-Institute) of theSociety bythesolicitationof giftsfromthemany friends andadmirersof Karl Terzaghi,Hon. M. ASCE. It was instituted by the Board of Direction on October10, 1960. I.At about yearly intervals and upon recommendationoftheGeo-Institute Board ofGovernors, the ExecutiveDirector will invitea distinguished engineerto deliver a "Terzaghi Lecture" atanappropriate meeting of theSociety. The lecturer shall betendereda certificateand a cashprizedetermined annually by and subject to the approvalofthe ExecutiveCommitteeof the Boardof Direction based onthe income from theawardendowment. II. Membershipin theSociety isnot a requirement for consideration. [http://www.issmge.org]

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3- INTERNATIONAL JOURNALSIN THEFIELD OF SOILMECHANICSORRELATEDTOPICS

Asit canbeacceptedthat animportant certificatefor thehistorical background of ascientific branchcanbe highlighted bylookingthroughits relative journals,so it is suitable at thisstage to review the name orthe titles ofthejournals in thisfieldspecially if they are arranged by a choronological arrangement as follows: 1) Journalof Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering,ASCE; initially namedas: J. of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering(sincebefore 1930) 2) International Journal of Geotechnique(since1948) 3) MarineGeotechnology(since 1957) 4Soils and Foundations(translatedfromJapanease)(since 1960) 5) Soil Mechanics and FoundationEngineering (translated fromRussian) 6) RockMechanics and Rock Engineering(since1961) 7) Canadian Geotechnical Engineering;(since 1963) 8) Int.Journalof RockMechanicsand Mining Science;(since 1964) 9) Int.Journalof Engineering Geology; (since1965) 10) Ground Engineering; (since 1968) 11) Tunnels andTunnelling; (since1969) 12)Geotechnical EngineeringJournal; (since1970) 13)AustralianGeotechnical Journal; (since1971) 14) Indian Geotechnical Journal; (since1971) 15) OffshoreEngineering;(since 19//) 16)Marine GeosourcesandGeoengineering; (since 1976) 17)Int. Journalof Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics; (1977) 18)ASTMGeotechnical TestingJournal; (since1978) 19)Computersand Geotechnics; (since 1982) 86? 20) Int. Journal ofSoil Dynamics andEarthquake Engineering;(since 1982) 21)Geotechnical & Geological EngineeringJournal; (since1983) 22) J.of Geotextiles and Geomembranes; (1984) 23) Geosynthetics Int. Journal; (1994) 24) Ground Improvement Journal; (since1996) 25)VietnamGeotechnical Journal; (since 1996) 26)CaseStudyin Geotechnical Engineering; (since 2008/?) 27) GFR Magazine?

4-RANKINELECTURES

W.J. B. Rankine(1820-1872)was the professor ofCivil Engineering intheUniversityof Glasgowin Scotland.Hewas (/ is) oneofthe famousscientist inMechnicsand ThermodynamicsinUK whocould publish more than 150scientific papers in that time during his relativelynot long life.He is thefirst British Engineer thathas a significant contribution insome analyses in soil mechanics, oneofthoseishisanalysis in the topicsoflateral soil pressurerelatedto theretaining walls. In 1957, the BritishNationalCommittee of ICSMFE decidedto founda new advancedsessionsyearly in whichsome topscientists beinvited for presenting some lecturesdescribing some newand basicsubjects in thefield ofsoil mechanics,foundationengineering,geotechnicsand/or relatedsubjects.Thesesessionsthat startedsince 1961,weresupposedto benamedastheRankineLecturesin hunor of WJB Rankine.The expensesfor these sessionshavebeen supported by the incomes fromthe ICSMFE.It was also accepted that the lecturersfor thispurpose should beselectedalternatively fromBritishexperts(in odd years) and from other countries (in evenyears). Theplacefor theselectureswas theInstitute of Civil Engineering(ICE)for the years1961 to1972, and it transferred to ImperialColledge since1973.Thefollowing list shows thetitles

5 The1stIranianConferenceonGeotechnicalEngineering,22-23October2013 UniversityofMohagheghArdabili,Ardabil,Iran of thelecturesand thename ofthelecturer.Thelecturestextshavebeenso far published in“Geotechnique” Journal inconsequentvolumesregularly. LIST OF RANKINELECTURERS NoYEAR LECTURER SUBJECT 1 1961 A.Casagrande Controlof seepagethrough foundations and abutmentsof dams 2 1962 L. F. Cooling Fieldmeasurements insoil mechanics 3 1963 A. Meyer Recent work in rock mechanics 4 1964 A.W. SkemptonLong-termstability ofclay slopes 5 1965 N.M. Newmark Effectsof earthquakesondams andembankments 6 1966 A.W.Bishop The strength of soils asengineering materials Engineeringgeology of Norwegian normally-consolidatedmarine clays as 7 1967 L. Bjerrum relatedto settlements of buildings 8 1968 R. Glossop The riseofgeotechnology and its influence onengineeringpracice Advantagesandlimitationsof the observational methodin applied soil 9 1969 R. B. Peck mechanics 10 1970 K.H. Roscoe Theinfluenceof strainsinsoilmechanics 11 1971 J. C. Jaeger Friction ofrocks andstability of rockslopes 12 1972 P.W.Rowe Therelevanceof soilfabric to site investigation practice 13 1973 T.W.Lambe Predictions in soil engineering 14 1974 R. E.Gibson The analyticalmethod insoil mechanics 15 1975 J. Kerisel Oldstructuresinrelationto soil conditions TheTriassicrocks,with particularreferenceto predictedandobserved 16 1976 A.C. Meigh performanceof somemajor foundations V.F. B. de 17 1977 Reflections on design decisionsof practical significanceto embankment dams Mello 18 1978 W.H.Ward Groundsupports fortunnels in weak rocks 19 1979 H.BoltonSeed Considerationsinthe earthquake-resistantdesign of earthand rockfill dams 20 1980 A.N.Schofield Cambridge geotechnical centrifuge operations N. R. 21 1981 Geotechnical engineering and frontierresourcedevelopment Morgenstern 22 1982 D.J.Henkel Geology,geomorphology and geotechnics 23 1983 E.Hoek Strength of jointed rock masses 24 1984 C. P.Wroth The interpretation ofin situsoil tests 25 1985 N.Janbu Soil models in offshore engineering A. D. M. 26 1986 On the embankment dam Penman 27 1987 R. F.Scott Failure 28 1988 H.B. SutherlandUpliftresistance insoils 29 1989 H.G. Poulos Pile behaviour -theory andapplication 30 1990 J. B. Burland On the compressibility andshear strength ofnatural clays 31 1991 J. K. Mitchell Conduction phenomena: fromtheory to geotechnicalpractice 32 1992 B. Simpson Retainingstructures:displacement and design 33 1993 K.Ishihara Liquefactionand flow failureduring earthquakess 34 1994 P. R.Vaughan Assumption,predictionand reality in geotechnical engineering 35 1995 R. E.Goodman Blocktheory and its application 36 1996 S. F. Brown Soil mechanics in pavement engineering 37 1997 G.E. Blight Interactionsbetweenthe atmosphere andtheEarth

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38 1998 D.W.Hight Soil characterisation: the importance ofstructureandanisotropy 39 1999 S. Leroueil Natural slopesand cuts: movement and failure mechanisms[3][4] 40 2000 J. H.Atkinson Non-linearsoilstiffness inroutinedesign[5][6] 41 2001 H.Brandl Energyfoundations and other thermo-activegroundstructures 42 2002 D.M. Potts Numerical analysis: a virtualdreamorpractical reality? 43 2003 M. F. Randolph Scienceand empiricisminpile foundation design N. N. 44 2004 Engineering, seismology andsoil mechanics Ambraseys 45 2005 R. K.Rowe Long termperformanceofcontaminantbarriersystems 46 2006 R. J. Mair Tunnellingand geotechnics -new horizons 47 2007 A.Gens Soil-environment interactionsin geotechnical engineering 48 2008 A.Charles The engineering behaviourof fill - theuse, misuse and disuse of casehistories 49 2009 T.O'Rourke Geohazards &Large Geographically Distributed Systems 50 2010 C. R.I.Clayton Stiffness atsmall strain- research and practice 51 2011 S.W.Sloan GeotechnicalStability Analysis 52 2012 M. Bolton Performance-based designin geotechnical engineering M. Soil Mechanics andtheobservational method: Challengesat the ZelaznyMost 53 2013 Jamiolkowski copper tailingsdisposalfacility

5-TERZAGHI LECTURES

Karl Terzaghibornin Oct.1883 in Pragueand diedinOct. 1963inMassachusetts, isgenerally recognizedas theFather of Soil Mechanics.Hepublished hisfirstbookin1925 namedas“Erbdaumechanik“ in Vienna. Thisbook canbe consideredasthe certificated birth of Soil Mechanicsas abranch ofscience. Betweenthe years 1925 and 1929, heinitiatedthefirst course of soil mechanics at MIT bywhichthe soil mechanics became widely recognized asan importantdiscipline in civil engineering.In1938hejoined thefaculty at Harvard University wherehedevelopedand gavehis course inengineering geology. After his first bookin Germanlanguage,he managedto edit threeother publicationsas “Theoretical Soil Mechanics” in 1943, “Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice” in 1948(co author, R. B.Peck)and “Fromtheory toPractce” in 1960including all of 256Terzaghi‘s papers and reports . During hissuccessful lifehecould wonmany honors,likethe NormanMedal ofthe ASCE in 1930, 1943, 1946and 1955. Terzaghi received ninehonorarydoctoratedegreesfromuniversities of eightdifferent countries. Hewas thepresident ofthe ISSMFE for many years.To commemorateTerzaghi’sgreatworks, the AmericanSociety ofCivil EngineersfoundedtheTerzaghiLectureand also theTerzaghiAward.The Terzaghi Lectures initiatedin 1963 havebeen presented yearly by the expert scientist ofsoil mechanics or geotechnics; thetext oftheselectures publishedin a volumeofInt.J.of Geotechnical &Geo-environmental, ASCE. Followingis the listof Terzaghi lectures including the name of lecturer andthe title, date andthe volumeofJournal.

No.1: 1963 Ralph Peck:Foundation behaviour ofiron orestorage yards No.2: 1964 ArthurCasagrande: Role ofthecalculated risk inearth workand foundationengineering No.3: 1966 Laurits Bjerrum: Progressivefailure inslopesofoverconsolidated plastic clay shales No.4: 1967 Harry Bolton Seed: LandslidesduringEarthquakesdue to liquefaction No.5:1968PhilipC. Rutledge: No.6: 1969 Stanley D.Wilson: No.7: 1970 T.WilliamLambe: The integratedcivil engineering project; J. ASCE,98,No.SM6,June1972 No.8: 1971 John LoweIII: No.9: 1972 Bramlette McClelland: Designof DeepPenetrationPilesforOceanStructures No.10: 1974 FrankE.Richartjunior:Some effectsof dynamicsoil propertieson soil-structure No.11:1975 GeorgeGeoffrey Meyerhof:Bearingcapacity and settlement ofpile foundations No.12:1976 LymanC. Reese: Designandconstruction ofdrilledshafts No. 13: 1977 Robert F.Legget: Geology and geotechnicalengineering

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No. 14: 1978 NathanM.Newmark: Observationson stressesintunnel linings No.15:1979 George F. Sowers: Therewere giants ontheearthinthose days No.16: 1980 Gerald A.Leonards:Investigationof Failures No. 17: 1981 Robert V.Whitman: Evaluating calculated riskin geotechnical engineering; J. ASCE,V.110,No.2,1984 No.18:1982 J. Barry Cooke:Progress inRockfill Dams; J.ASCE, V.110, No. 10, 1984 No.19:1983 RonaldF. Scott: Plasticity andconstitutive relations in soilmechanics: J.ASCE, Vol. 111,N.5,1985 No.20:1984 James K. Mitchell: Practical Problems fromsurprising soilbehavior; J.ASCE, Vol. 112,No.3,1986 No.21: 1985 Jorj O.Osterberg: No.22:1986 Charles C. Ladd: Stability evaluation during staged construction; J. ASCE, 117,No. 4,1991 No.23:1987 Leonardo Zeevaert: Seismosoil dynamics of foundations inMexicocity: J. ASCE,V.117,No.3,1991 No.24:1988 ElioD’Appolonia (Honory member): Monitored decisions;J. ASCE,V.116,No.1,1990 No. 25: 1989 John H.Schmertmann: Themechanical aging of soils; J. ASCE,V.117,No. 9, 1991 No. 26: 1990 JamesP. Gould:(Honory member) Geotechnology in disputeresolution: J.ASCE, V.121,No.7,1995 No.27:1991 James Michael Duncan: Limitationsof conventional analysis of consolidation settlement; J.ASCE, V.119,No.9,1993 No. 28: 1992 Norbert R. Morgenstern: No. 29: 1993 John A. Focht (junior): Lessons learned frommissedpredictions;J. ASCE, 120,No. 10, 1994 No.30: 1994 G.Wayne Clough: No.31:1995 Roy E.Olson:Settlement ofembankments onsoft clays; J.ASCE, V.124, No. 8,1998 No. 32: 1996 Robert M. Koerner: Emerging and future developments of selectedgeosynthetic applications; J.ASCE, V.126,No.4,2000 No.33:1997 Richard D.Woods: No.34:1998 MichaelW.O'Neill No.35:1999 WilliamF. Marcuson III: Soil mechanics and U.S.national defence– Amutually relationship; J. ASCE,V.126,No.9,2000 No. 36: 2000 Evert Hoek Big tunnelsin bad rock No.37:2001SuzanneLacasse: No.38:2002 Victor Milligan: Some uncertainties inembankment damengineering; J.ASCE, V.129,No.9,2003 No.39:2003 John T. Christian: Geotechnical engineering reliability: Welldo weknowwhat we are doing; J. ASCE,V.130,No.10,2004 No. 40: 2004 Harry Poulos:Pile behavior,Consequemcesof geologicaland constructionimperfections; J. ASCE,V.131,No.5,2005 No.41:2005 Delwyn G. Fredlund:Unsaturated soil mechanics in engineeringpractice; J.ASCE, V.132,No.3,2006 No. 42: 2006 RaymondJ.Krizek: No.43: 2007 GeorgeG. Goble: No.44:2008 Jean-PierreGiroud: No.45: 2009 ClydeN.Baker: Uncertain geotechnical truthand cost effectivehigh risefoundationdesign No. 46: 2010 Robert D.Holtz: No.47:2011 Kenneth H. StokoeII: No. 48: 2012 DavidE.Daniel[1]:

6-LOOKINGAT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

6-1-THEMOST SIGNIFICANT Asweknow,the most significant international conferences in the fieldof soil mechanicsand the related subjects is thequadriennial ICSMFE which was initiatedin 1936and the 18this in 2013 (18th ICSMGE). Nevertheless, it is worthwlile tonotice that there areseveral other internationalor regional conferences relatedto our subject(directly or indirectly) that havebeenset upduring last 77years in different countries

8 The1stIranianConferenceonGeotechnicalEngineering,22-23October2013 UniversityofMohagheghArdabili,Ardabil,Iran that ifanumber of 650 assigned forthese conferences, isnot exaggerated.The main/ or the most significant titles are asfollows: Australian–NewZealandConference(since1952), European – DanubConf. in SMFE (since1954,14thin 2010), African Conf. in SMFE (since 1955), AmericanSymposiumin RockMechanics(since 1956), PanamericanConf.inSMFE(since1960), Asian Regional Conf. inSMFE (since1960), Int. Conf.on Rock Mechanics(since1966), SouthEast Regional Conf.in Geotechnics(since 1967), Int. Conf.on the Numerical Methods in Geomechanics (since 1972), Int.Conf. ApplicationofCentrifugein Geotechnical Engineering, (since 1988inParisandcontinuing each 3 to4 years), Int.Workshopon Application ofComputing Mechanicsin Geotechnical Engineering (the5th in 2007in Purtogal)

6-2-SOMESTATISTICALVIEW In thefiest ICSMFE in 1936in USA,181 paperspresented by the authorsfrom21countries; the order of whichcan bearrangedas: USA(70), Austria(26), Netherlands (18),Russia (14), Germany (9),and other countriesrespectively as China,France, Egypt,Denmark,England,Hungary, Sweden,Havaei, Mexico, Belgium,Poland,Canada,andSwetzerland.Thecontinental contributionwasEurope (42.6%),America (41.4%), Asia(12.7%),and Africa(3.3%). In the 10th ICSMFEin 1981inSweden,thenumber of papers were 539from48countriesandin 13th Conferencein Indiain 1994,the number of paperswere 413 from48countries withthe continential contribution asEurope (47.2%), Asia(27.6%),and America(19%)andthe rest for othercontinents. In 14th ICSMGEin 1997 in Germany,442 paperswerepresented fromthe authors from57 countries withthe same order of continental contribution as inthe 13th.

6-2-SUBJECTS OFTHEPAPERSPRESENTEDIN17THICSMGE 1)Laboratory testing, 100 papers 2) Physical andconstitutivemodeling,78 3) Ground improvement, grouting and dredging,71 4) Deep foundations, 70 5) Slopesandembankments,64 6) Monitoringand performance,51 7) Insitu testing,39 8) Problematicsoils,35 9)Deep excavations,tunneling and groudwatercontrol, 27 10) Retainingwalls,26 11) Underground structures,26 12)Geosyntetics materials, 21 13)Natural hazard mitigation,17 14)Management on Geotechnical data and Processes, 16 15)General reports, 14, 16) Instrumentationin Geotechnical engineering, 11 17)Training forGeotechnicalengineers/ future ofeducation in Geotechnical engineering, 10 18)Intractivedesign,8 19)Interaction betweenthe owner,engineer andcontractor,public awareness…,6 20)“State of the art” papers, 5 21)Lessonsfromlarge projects, 1 22 ) About Terzaghi,1

6-3-THENUMBER OF PAPERS AND THE AUTHORS AND THE RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN17THICSMGE

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In the 17th ICSMGE, 676 ordinarypapersand 21 special papers(i.e. atotal of 697 papers)in 3377pages were presented bynearly2000authors from75 countries.Therelative contribution of continents were35.7% for Europe,34.3%Asia,17.1% America,7.15%Africa,and 5.7% Ausralia. The longestpaper titled “Geomaterial Behavior & Testing” in 96 pagesprepared by Mayne, Coop, Springman,Huang, and Zornberge with 750references.Thesecond longestpaperwas”Tall Building and Deep Foundations,Middle East Challenges” in 33pagesbyPoulos Inthrfollowingtable, the relative contribution ofdifferentcountriesisshown by the numberof papersand the numberofthe authors whose names beenindicted underthe titles of the published papers.

TABLE1:Numberofpapersandnumberofauthorsfromdifferenttcountries in17thICSMGEin2009inEgypt

country (*) (#) country (*) (#) Japan 63 196 India 20 38 America 60 173 Spain 13 49 French 35 129 Mexico 12 25 Germany 33 85 England 12 38 Brazil 29 85 Portugal 11 41 Korea 28 92 Greece 10 37 Netherlands 27 85 Poland 10 26 Australia 23 61 Norway 9 32 China 22 71 Finland 9 17 Iran 21 52 Russia 8 23 Egypt 20 50 Tyvan 8 28 Italy 20 62 Thailand 7 23 (*) number ofpapers (#) numberof namesofthe authors Croatia,HongKong, Romania, Turkey, South Africa, 7papersfromeach Kazakhstan,Ukrine, Belgium, Newziland,Pakistan, United Arab Emirate,6 paperseach one Slovani, Singapoor,Switzerland, 5 Hungary, Argentina,CzechRepublic,Algeria,Tunesia, Nigeria, 4papaers each Bangladesh,Sweden,Albania,Indonizia, Bolgaria,Austria,Iraq,Ghana, Macedonia,Colombia,3eachone Canada, Uzbekistan,Irland, Serilanka, Denmark,Cyprus, Morako, 2papers Estonia,Israel,Ecuador,Iceland,Paragua, Peru, Serbia, Sudan, Chili, Mozambic,Cameron,Lebanon, onepaper Unclear17 paperswith 55 authors

7-CONCLUSION

In thepresent article, thefollowingaspectsweredicussed: 1)Looking througha briefhistoricalbackground of thesoil mechanicsandtherelated mattersasa branch of practicalscience.

10 The1stIranianConferenceonGeotechnicalEngineering,22-23October2013 UniversityofMohagheghArdabili,Ardabil,Iran

2) Remindingthenames ofthe most famousreaserchers andthe active scientists inthis field.For this purpose,thenamesofthefounders of basicformulaeandthenamesofthelecturers for Rankineand Terzaghi lectures havebeenmentined. 3) IntroducingtheISSMGE:why, whenand how this society hasstartedto work,the name ofthe presidents and abrief list of its activities. 4) Aglancelook at the very significant conferencesandsimilardisciplinesinthis branch of engineering science. 5) Mentioning the most popular subjects and theirrelative frequency inthis field byrewritingthe titles of the paperspresentdin the lastICSNGE in2009, andextracting therelative contributionsofdifferent countries by considering theaddressesof theauthors ofthepapers. The aimof presentingthe present articlewas tocollect and highlight some basic and general information regarding the subjects asSoil Mechanics, FoundationEngineering, Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering andtherelated topicsto bebeneficial for at least two groupsof readers: firstly, the students, engineers,andreasecherswho are involved directly withthese matters eitherin practice ,inresearch orin theoreticaland training tasks;secondly, thepersonswho are not involved inthese subjects, but it isour responsibility tointroduce this branch of science and technology tothem.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TheauthorsincerelylikestoappreciatetheConferencemanagement- particularlyDr.R.Negahdar -forthe acceptanceofthepresentarticle. ◌َ Alsothanks toMr.Sh. Poostifor hisassistanceespeciallyinconverting the text into the appropriate format acceptablefor publishing.