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 edition of the biennial international conference organized by the Nepal Geotechnical Society (NGS). 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 tectonic movements and frequent geohazards such as landslides and earthquakes, underscores the importance of sustainable development. Our challenge is to build infrastructure that not only meets today’s needs but also prepares 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 infrastructure, especially in regions vulnerable to natural hazards.
This time we have participants from over 25 countries, so this conference highlights its global relevance. We are especially grateful for the support of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and various international societies, which have significantly contributed to enriching our discussions.
I extend my heartfelt thanks in advance to our supporting organizations, sponsors, speakers, participants, and other contributors for your sparkling efforts and belief in the excellence of this GeoMandu 2024.
I 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 NGS and GeoMandu 2024, I look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event and to meeting with all of you in person on 28-29 November 2024.
Best Wishes
Mandip Subedi, PhD
President, Nepal Geotechnical Society (NGS)
Convener, GeoMandu 2024
