ISRM Newsletter No. 71 - Autumn 2025

Call for Papers: ARMS14 – 2026 ISRM International Symposium, Fukuoka, Japan, 22–27 November 2026

The Japanese Society for Rock Mechanics (JSRM), the Japan National Group of ISRM, is pleased to invite you to the 14th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMS14), which also serves as the 2026 ISRM International Symposium. The event will be held from 22 to 27 November 2026 in Fukuoka, a modern and vibrant city on Kyushu, the southwestern island of Japan.

The theme of the symposium is “Rock Mechanics for the Next Generation: Innovations, Sustainability, and Resilience.” Its aim is to address these key issues while promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences across diverse areas of rock mechanics and rock engineering.

Symposium topics include:

  • Mitigation of Geo-hazards
  • Environmental Issues
  • Energy Resources
  • New Technologies and Fundamental Aspects

The program will feature six keynote lectures, as well as the 2026 Franklin Lecture of the ISRM and the 2026 Rocha Lecture. Several workshops and short courses will be organized in collaboration with ISRM commissions. Following the symposium, technical tours will be available. In addition, events such as a Students’ Night, Early Career Forum, and RockBowl are being planned to encourage active participation from younger members.

Prospective authors are kindly invited to submit an abstract related to one of the symposium topics by 19 December 2025.

For more detailed information, please visit the symposium website:

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51th ISRM Online Lecture by Professor Michel Van Sint Jan, broadcast in 11 September 2025

The 51st ISRM Online Lecture was given by Professor Michel Van Sint Jan from Chile. The topic of the lecture was "Rockbursts: Mechanisms, Hazards, and Engineering Implications". It was broadcast on September 11 at 10 A.M. GMT and will remain available on the Online Lecture's page.

Michel Van Sint Jan began his geotechnical career in 1972 at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), where he served on the civil engineering faculty until 2010 and was appointed Full Professor in 1989. He earned his MSc (1975) and PhD (1982) in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. From 2011–2022 he was Managing Partner of MVA Geoconsulta, leading geotechnical consulting for major civil and mining projects in Chile and abroad.

His teaching and research span rock and soil mechanics, with contributions to the behavior of tunnels and caverns in rock, rock-mass strength and fracture, seismic stability of rock slopes, and the performance of tunnel support under dynamic loading (rockbursts). He has authored more than 60 papers and book chapters and has delivered invited lectures and professional courses.

Since 2008, his principal professional contribution has been to Codelco Chile—the state-owned copper company—most notably to El Teniente mine, where he has provided sustained geomechanics advice on mine-scale stress modeling, crown-pillar options, sequencing to reduce rockburst risk, and tunnel support under dynamic loading. He has also advised widely on open-pit and underground excavations, bridges and foundations, landslides, and tunnels in rock and soil. Notable roles include adviser in rock mechanics to Chile’s Ministry of Public Works (DOH) on reservoir projects (2014–2019) and senior consultant on dam and tunnel works. 

He has served the profession as ISRM Vice-President for South America (1995–1999), President of the ISRM Chilean National Group for Rock Mechanics (2009–2017), and member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences (2000–2005). His distinctions include the Ramón Salas Edwards Award (Institute of Engineers of Chile, 2010) and the Antonio Karzulovic L. Award (Chilean Society for Rock Mechanics, 2023).

Click to go to the ISRM Online Lecture's page.

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50th ISRM Online Lecture by Professor Hehua Zhu, broadcast in July 2025

Professor Hehua Zhu from Tongji University, China delivered the 50th ISRM Online Lecture. The topic of the lecture was "Generalized Zhang-Zhu (GZZ) Three-Dimensional Rock Strength Theory and Application to Real-Time Stress-Control Analysis in Deep Tunneling". It was broadcast on 15 July and remains available on the Online Lecture's page.

Hehua Zhu is now Distinguished Professor in Geotechnical Engineering at Tongji University, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering.

He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Mining Engineering from Chongqing University in 1983 and 1986, respectively. His PhD was awarded in Structural Engineering (Civil Engineering) at Tongji University in 1989. He did his post-doctoral research at the Geo-Research Institute of Osaka and Kyoto University, Japan, from 1993 to 1995. He proposed a generalized 3D Hoek-Brown rock strength criterion together with Prof. Lianyang Zhang, which was also called generalized Zhang-Zhu rock strength criterion (GZZ), which was recommended as an ISRM  standard.

He was awarded the Humboldt Research Prize in 2015 and the T.H.H. medal at ICCES '13 in 2013. He created the international journal Underground Space.

Prof. Hehua Zhu is the current chair of the Joint Technical Committee 2 (JTC2) on Representation of Geo-Engineering Data in Electronic Form” of the Federation of International Geo-Engineering Societies (FedIGS).

Click to go to the ISRM Online Lecture's page.

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10th Latin American Rock Mechanics Symposium (LARMS 2026) – Brasília, Brazil, 26–28 August 2026

The Brazilian Committee of Rock Mechanics is honored to invite you to the 10th Latin American Rock Mechanics Symposium (LARMS 2026), which will take place 26-28 August 2026, in Brasília, Brazil. The theme of LARMS 2026 is: “Rock Mechanics for a Sustainable Future: Innovating in Mining, Energy, and Infrastructure.” Key points include:

  • Focus on sustainable practices in rock mechanics
  • Innovations in mining, energy, and infrastructure
  • The role of rock mechanics in shaping a sustainable future
  • Traditional topics in rock mechanics

LARMS 2026 will be held alongside the XXII Brazilian Congress on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, which attracted over 2,000 participants in 2024.

Brasília, the capital of Brazil, is an architectural and urban planning masterpiece designed by Oscar Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city boasts iconic landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, Palácio da Alvorada, and the Three Powers Square. Its climate in August is ideal, with temperatures between 15°C and 28°C, and the city is easily accessible through its international airport and extensive hotel network. Visitors can also enjoy Brasília National Park and the serene Paranoá Lake, offering both natural beauty and modern infrastructure.

LARMS 2026

We warmly invite you to join us at LARMS 2026 to engage with leading experts, explore the latest developments, and contribute to the evolution of rock mechanics in Latin America. Together, let’s innovate for a sustainable future!

Visit the LARMS2026 website for more information on the event.

Marcos Massao Futai, Chair of Organizing Committee

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ISRM Regional Symposium – EUROCK 2026 – Skopje, N. Macedonia, 15–19 September 2026

Dear ISRM Members, Colleagues, Friends,

On behalf of the Macedonian Association for Geotechnics (MAG), it is our honor to invite the global ISRM community, rock mechanics professionals and accompanying persons, to the ISRM Regional Symposium – EUROCK 2026, taking place from 15 to 19 September 2026, in Skopje, North Macedonia.

After the great success of EUROCK 2025 in Trondheim, our community now turns its attention to Skopje, where the Organizing Committee is preparing a symposium that promises to be both scientifically rich and socially memorable.

The central theme of EUROCK2026 will be Risk Management in Rock Engineering, with a focus on innovations and applied research. The program will feature global case studies, cutting-edge technologies, and interdisciplinary discussions. Our aim is to foster collaboration among engineers, researchers, designers, consultants, and academics in rock mechanics and engineering.

Beyond the technical sessions and keynote lectures, the symposium will feature short courses, workshops, technical tours, and an industrial exhibition. Special opportunities will be available for younger colleagues through the Rockbowl competition and paper and poster contests for students and early-career researchers. Accompanying persons will also enjoy a dedicated program, while all participants will have the chance to experience Skopje’s lively atmosphere, the warmth of Macedonian hospitality, and the country’s rich cultural heritage through social events, guided tours, and the gala dinner.

Important dates:

For full details and updates please visit the conference website.

We warmly invite you to join the ISRM family in Skopje for EUROCK 2026 — a unique opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Balkans!


Prof. Milorad Jovanovski, Chair of EUROCK2026
Prof. Igor Peshevski, President of Macedonian Association for Geotechnics, Co-chair of EUROCK2026

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"Evert Hoek - And the Future of Rock Engineering" by Professor Charles Fairhurst

Professor Charles Fairhurst delivered the keynote lecture "Evert Hoek, his Legacy and Rock Mechanics/Engineering in the 21st Century" at the 59th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium (ARMA Rocks 2025) held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in June 2025.

The ISRM extends its sincere thanks to Professor Fairhurst for graciously agreeing to share this remarkable lecture—honoring the late Professor Evert Hoek—on the ISRM website.

We also wish to thank the Itasca Consulting Group (ICG) — who recorded the lecture and produced the video — and the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) for granting permission to publish it on the ISRM website.

Click here to watch the lecture.

1990 reconstituted lecture by Evert Hoek at the University of Leeds on the ISRM website

This lecture was compiled from an audio tape of Professor Evert Hoek’s lecture on weak rock masses in 1990 at the University of Leeds, combined with his slides. The lecture was not prepared in paper form in the original proceedings although the discussion, which can be heard, was (pp 223-225; Cripps et al., 1993).

It is considered important as it sets out Professor Hoek’s philosophy about what makes a rock mass weak, and, in answer to a question from Dr John Sharp he presented an early version of the Hoek-Brown strength criterion which over time has morphed into the Geological Strength Index (GSI). As he stated, there wasn’t then (and still isn’t) any other tool that allows the strength of fractured, isotropic rock masses to be estimated.

Steve Hencher, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds, UK.

Click here to watch the lecture

Prof. Jian Zhao's "Rock Mechanics Principles" course available in Arabic

Prof. Jian Zhao's course "Rock Mechanics Principles" was recorded between 2016 and 2020 and has been available for viewing on the ISRM website since its release.

In 2024, Mr. Tareq Albukhari, Lecturer in Rock Mechanics at the University of Tripoli in Libya, requested ISRM’s authorization to translate the course into Arabic. His goal was to meet the growing needs of students, researchers, and professionals in the Arab world, while also supporting academic and practical use in universities and scientific institutions. Prof. Jian Zhao welcomed the initiative and promptly authorized the publication of the translation.

The Arabic version is now available on the ISRM website as an e-book. A printed edition will also be produced by Mr. Albukhari for strictly non-commercial purposes.

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17th ISRM Young Members' Seminar Series on 8 July

The 17th Young Members' Seminar was held on 8 July in collaboration with the South African National Institute of Rock Engineering, the ISRM National Group of South Africa. The following presentations on underground and surface mining were included:

  • Quality Control of Cable Bolt Support in Underground Mines -  Thovhedzo Gcuda (University of the Witwatersrand).
  • Re-design of the Mogalakwena Pits Using Discrete Fracture Network Modeling to Enhance Slope Critical Control Implementation and Slope Optimization - Thlologelo Daddy Mametja (Valterra Platinum Mogalakwena Mine).
  • Rock Engineering Systems employed at an underground Mine to combat rockfalls - Omphile Diale (Sefateng Chrome Mine).

Click here to download the flyer and watch the presentations on the ISRM Young Members' YouTube Channel. To contact the Group send an email to youngmembers@isrm.net. 

Short course on Rock Engineering for Deep Geological Disposal by Dr Nick Barton

The two-day short course was organized jointly by the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics (KSRM) – the ISRM National Group for South Korea, the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) and Hyundai Engineering & Construction in Yongin, Korea, on 18–19 September 2025. The short course addressed several key topics in rock engineering for deep geological disposal. The lectures by Dr Nick Barton included TBM prognosis in hard and jointed rock, comparisons between NMT and NATM, numerical modelling of rock shear strength and joint behavior with UDEC-BB, field demonstration of Q-parameter estimation, as well as lessons learned from various international projects on nuclear waste disposal in jointed rock.

Additional presentations were delivered on the application of advanced 3D rock mass mapping technologies and their potential use in nuclear waste disposal by Hyundai E&C and on the Korean nuclear waste disposal program by KORAD. Participants also visited Hyundai’s underground research facility, where Q-system mapping was demonstrated and ongoing research activities were introduced. About 90 participants from academia, industry and research institutes attended the short course.

5th "Short-term prediction of rock failure" competition

The "Short-term Prediction of Rock Failure Competition" is an event held to promote the resolution of key scientific issues related to major natural and engineering disasters in rock mass systems such as earthquakes, landslides, rock bursts, and gas outbursts. The activity takes the form of an indoor large-scale rock sample failure tests. The purpose of the competition is to promote the innovation of theory, methods, technologies, and monitoring instruments for complex geological disasters and nonlinear rock mechanics, and to enhance human ability to predict and forecast major natural disasters in rock mass systems.

Previous editions were hosted by Taiyuan University of Technology, China. The 5th competition will be held from 31 October to 3 November 2025 in Wuhan, China, and is sponsored by the ISRM Commission on Ultradeep Rock Mass Mechanics and Engineering and the Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering.

The organizers welcome research teams in rock mechanics from around the world to participate, exchange knowledge, and advance the science and technology of rock disaster prediction. For more details, please download the official announcement.

1st International Workshop on Bio-Rock Mechanics – Okinawa, Japan, 26-27 November 2025

The First International Workshop on Bio-Rock Mechanics, one of the ISRM Specialized Conferences, will be held in Okinawa, Japan, from 26 to 27 November 2025, in a hybrid format, both in-person and online.

To unravel the complex interplay between microbial activity in rocks, their mechanical properties, and geo-hazards, deepening our understanding of the novel field of bio-rock mechanics is essential. For example, microbial communities, including bacteria, algae, and lichens, colonize rock surfaces and utilize minerals as sources of nutrients or energy. Their activity can induce chemical and physical breakdown of mineral particles, a process known as microbial weathering. Although the role of microorganisms in chemical weathering is increasingly understood, their relationship with geohazards such as landslides and rockfalls, particularly those occurring without obvious triggers, remains poorly understood.

The workshop aims to explore key themes within bio-rock mechanics, highlighting the significant role this emerging discipline plays in advancing the field of rock mechanics and fostering international collaboration. Topics for discussion include: 

  • T1. Bioremediation and biodegradation of rock materials
  • T2. Bioerosion of rock materials
  • T3. Biomarker-based assessment of crustal movement and tectonic implications
  • T4. Evaluation of the internal structure of rocks affected by organisms

For more information visit the conference website. Interested participants are welcome to join. To register go to the registration area.

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Rock Dynamics and Applications (RocDyn-5), 15-17 January 2026, Singapore

The series of RocDyn conferences was first launched in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2013, followed by RocDyn-2 in Suzhou, China in 2016, RocDyn-3 in Trondheim, Norway in 2018, and RocDyn-4 in Xuzhou, China in 2022.

Rocdyn-5, a specialized conference under the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, invites all professionals involved in rock dynamics research and engineering to gather in Singapore in 2026. This conference will cover a wide scope of topics on the dynamic behaviors of rock materials and rock masses, along with their applications in rock engineering. RocDyn-5 will empathize the theme “Towards Resilience Frontiers”, addressing the challenges of induced geohazards that have recently hindered underground space creation and unconventional resource development, while striving to promote the sustainable advancement of rock engineering.

For more information visit the RockDyn-5 website or download the Bulletin 2.

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TuniRock 2026 – International Conference on Advances in Rock Mechanics, Hammamet, Tunisia, 9-12 April 2026

On behalf of the organizing committee, I am delighted to invite you to participate to the International Conference on Advances in Rock Mechanics (TuniRock 2026) to be held in Hammamet, Tunisia, 9 to 12 April 2026.

This Conference aims at bringing together researchers and engineers around the most recent advances in Rock mechanics and Rock engineering applications. The exciting program that the Tunisian Society for Rock Mechanics includes technical and scientific sessions, keynote lectures, one-day workshops and technical field trips. We believe that you will also enjoy participating to post-Conference excursions in the region.

The participants will have a chance not only to discuss technical issues but also to socialize during the conference dinners and discuss future events. The attendance of experts in rock mechanics will result in a very strong technical program on Rock Mechanics advances and will also provide guidance for the next conferences.

For more detailed information visit the conference website.

Pr. Essaieb HAMDI, Chairman of TuniRock 2026.

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LaGER 2026 – Landslide, Risk and Geo-Education Risk, Queenstown, New Zealand, 27 April-3 May 2026

The New Zealand Geotechnical Society is delighted to invite you to the First International Joint Workshop of Joint Technical Committee 1 and Joint Technical Committee 3 on Landslide Risk Assessment, Communication and Geo-education. We will share the latest research and develop best practice guidelines in the stunning New Zealand city of Queenstown.

This landmark international event unites JTC1 and JTC3 to advance landslide risk assessment, education, communication, and outreach –  creating a unique opportunity to make a real change, and will be attended by leading experts from around the world.

Our confirmed keynote speakers include Nicola Casagli, Tim Davies, Reginald Hermans, Jo Horrocks, D Jean Huthinson, Lori Peak, Dave Petley, Gonghui Wang, Janus Wasowski and Ann Williams.

Our theme “Landslide Risk and Geo-Education” unifies the full lifecycle of landslide risk management. It encompasses the need to educate the next generation of landslide risk managers, to robustly understand landslide risk, and to communicate that risk to the public and decision makers so that real change is implemented.

Our workshops will focus on:

  • The use of pro-active (pre-event) space-based observation for landslide prediction.
  • Creation of national-scale landslide models and risk communication tools.
  • Development of landslide risk management guidelines and policy.
  • Communication and education of landslide risk.

For more detailed information visit the conference website.

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6th ICITG, Graz, Austria, 13-16 October 2026

The 6th International Conference on Information Technology in Geo-Engineering (6th ICITG) will be held from 13 to 16 October 2026 in Graz (Austria). It will be an arena to discuss all topics related to the ongoing digital transformation in Geo-Engineering. Case studies of IT in Geo-Engineering, integration of digital systems (Scan2BIM, BIM2FEM, etc.), benchmark datasets, information modelling, monitoring technology and artificial intelligence are some of the focus topics of the 6th ICITG.

The 6th ICITG is co-organized by the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) and the Graz University of Technology under the auspices of the Joint Technical Committee 2 (JTC2) on “Representation of Geo-Engineering Data” of the Federation of International Geo-Engineering Societies.

For more detailed information visit the conference website.

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Slope Stability 2026 – Slope for Safety Performance, Lima, Peru, 26-29 October 2026

The 10th edition of the international symposium on slope stability will be held from 26 to 29 October 2026 at the Lima Convention Centre.

The organiser is the Large Open Pit (LOP), an industry-sponsored international research and technology transfer initiative launched in April 2005 to address the industry-wide need to improve understanding of rock slope failure in open-pit mines (www.lopproject.com).

The local organisers are the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP), which has established itself as a technical and proactive leader for the development of mining in Peru, and the The Peruvian Society of Geoengineering (SPEG), the ISRM National Group of Peru.

Visit the Slope Stability 2026 website for more information on the event.

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ISRM Rocha Medal 2027 – nominations to be received by 31 December 2025

Nominations for the Rocha Medal 2027 are to be received by the ISRM Secretariat by 31 December 2025. The winner will be announced during the 2026 ISRM International Symposium in New Delhi, India, and will be invited to receive the award and deliver a lecture at the ISRM International Congress in 2027.

The Rocha Medal has been awarded annually by the ISRM, since 1982, for an outstanding doctoral thesis in rock mechanics or rock engineering, to honour the memory of Past President Manuel Rocha while stimulating young researchers. Besides the Rocha medal awarded to the winner, one or two runner-up certificates may also be awarded.

Click here to download the announcement with details on the Rocha Medal 2027.

ISRM Sponsored Conferences

Click here to open the conferences webpage