Welcome Message

Message from the Chair

Dear Participants and International Delegates:
As the GeoMandu2024 Organizing Chair, I would first like to warmly welcome you to Kathmandu during this best season of the country. Welcome!
GeoMandu 2024, the second international event of Nepal Geotechnical Society is being organized this time with more than 350 participants. The first international event in this conference series of Nepal Geotechnical Society, GeoMandu 2023 was held in March 2023, which attracted an equal number of participants too, but because of the influence of COVID-19 as well as multi-time postponement of the event, we had to end up with a heavily-less-than-expected number of international participants. This time, we have put our efforts into attracting a greater number of international participants and invitees, which has turned up in a commitment from many renowned geotechnical experts, young geotechnical engineers, and geoscientists from more than 25 countries. We appreciate all your support to GeoMandu 2024 as well as to Nepal Geotechnical Society.
Geotechnics has always been challenging owing mainly to often unpredictable behavior of soils and ever increasing demand for structures and construction methods in difficult ground conditions. Theories and parametric relations have probably remained the same for several years, but methodological approaches, experimental precision, simulation techniques, analytical tools, data processing speed, etc. have significantly changed in recent years, which have truly divided the geotechnologies of developed and developing countries. To remove this divide and to make technology approachable for all, it is all important to hold these international conferences and exchange knowledge. With this main aim, we are holding this international event this time again and plan to hold many more in the future.
The GeoMandu 2024 main theme is “Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructures.” Nepal is more than 80% mountains and sits over one of the most active tectonic subduction zones on earth. Because of the high mountains and closer proximity to the seawater, mainly in the Bay of Bengal, the annual precipitation is also heavy averaging to about 5,000 mm at some locations. All these geological, geomorphological, and climatic conditions combine together to raise the chances of natural disasters in the country. As a mountainous country, Nepal no doubt confronts with natural hazard-related geotechnical challenges, and to our regret, we have so far put only a little effort into using our geotechnical knowledge in managing not only natural disasters but also in building geotechnical structures. This needs to be changed, and we in Nepal Geotechnical Society are fully committed to bring in faster changes in this field of engineering.
Having spent 30 years after its establishment and having been associated with the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) for quite more than two decades, Nepal Geotechnical Society has now truly gone international through these conference events. The support received from the ISSMGE officials in the past 10-15 years has truly been instrumental to us, which has led us to imagine of holding international events of this scale and we hope we will soon be able to hold the Asian Regional Conference, Geotech Asia, and the International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.
Through this message, I, representing the GeoMandu 2024 organizing team, would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the participants, research paper presenters, keynote and distinguished speakers, local organizing partners, and conference sponsors.
Thank you and welcome again to Kathmandu.
Netra Prakash Bhandary (Prof. Dr.)
Chair, Organizing Committee
GeoMandu 2024

Message from the Convener

It is a great honor to welcome you all to GeoMandu 2024, the second event of the international conference series of Nepal Geotechnical Society. This year, we unite under the theme “Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure,” addressing how geotechnical engineering can advance the development of resilient and environmentally sustainable infrastructure.

Nepal’s unique geology, characterized by active tectonics and frequently occurring geodisasters such as landslides and earthquakes, greatly challenge the need of sustainable infrastructure development. Our challenges are to build infrastructures that not only meet today’s needs but also prepare for future risks. GeoMandu 2024 offers a platform for experts from around the world to exchange knowledge, share insights, and propose innovative solutions to create safer, more sustainable infrastructures, especially in regions vulnerable to natural disasters.

This time, we will have participants from over 25 countries. So, I believe this conference truly highlights its global relevance. We are especially grateful to the support received from the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and various other national societies, which have significantly contributed to enriching our discussions.

I also extend my heartfelt thanks in advance to our supporting organizations, sponsors, speakers, participants, and other contributors for their sparkling efforts and belief in the excellence of this international event of Nepal Geotechnical Society.

I would again like to warmly welcome you to Kathmandu and wish you a pleasant stay in Nepal. I am confident that our discussions will inspire new research, foster international collaboration, and lead to practical solutions aligned with sustainable development goals.

On behalf of my society and the GeoMandu 2024 organizing committee, I look forward to meeting with you all during this event.

Thank you.

Best Wishes

Mandip Subedi, PhD

President, Nepal Geotechnical Society (NGS)

Convener, GeoMandu 2024

Message from the Technical Coordinator

Dear Esteemed Participants,

I am honored to have led the GeoMandu 2024 Technical Committee as its coordinator and to have been putting this message to all of you.

This event of international conference series of Nepal Geotechnical Society is being held from November 28 to 29, 2024. As the technical committee coordinator I am excited to share that this GeoMandu conference has received an overwhelming response, with submissions from over 25 countries, reflecting the global interest in advancing geotechnical engineering.

The event will feature 15 keynote speeches and 16 distinguished presentations by renowned experts in the field, along with 16 technical sessions accommodating more than 90 oral and around 30 poster presentations. Key topics will include earthquake geotechnical engineering, seismic design of geotechnical structures, sustainable transportation systems, sustainable foundation design and construction, geohazards, climate change and environmental geotechnics, geotechnology in high altitudes, tunnel engineering and underground construction, ground improvement, and the use of AI in geotechnical engineering.

Additionally, the ISSMGE Heritage Time Capsule (HTC) session will showcase a presentation on Geohazards in the Asian Region, focusing on anticipating risks and challenges toward 2075.

I am also pleased to announce that all accepted papers will be published by Springer as part of a peer-reviewed proceedings book volumes. The conference, along with our publications, aims to facilitate the exchange of novel ideas and innovations, bridging the gap between research and practice in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. We appreciate your support and active participation in GeoMandu 2024.

On behalf of NGS and as the Technical Committee Coordinator for GeoMandu 2024, I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all participants, paper presenters, keynote and distinguished speakers, local organizing partners, and conference sponsors.

Thank you once again, and welcome to GeoMandu 2024!

Dhundi Raj Pathak, Ph.D.

Technical Committee Coordinator

GeoMandu 2024