IAEG 2026 Course #3: Uncertainty and variability in Engineering Geological Models

This course, endorsed by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG), will be organised as part of the 2026 Congress of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG 2026). The IAEG 2026 will take place in Delft (The Netherlands​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​) from 30 October to 6 November 2026.

The listed IAEG workshops on the EFG calendar are scheduled, but additional workshops may be added and/or the existing ones may be slightly modified.

IAEG 2026 Course #3: Uncertainty and variability in Engineering Geological Models

WHEN:

Saturday 31 October or Sunday 1 November 2026 (Day To Be Confirmed).

Full day – 9:00 to 16:00.

INSTRUCTORS:

• Dr. Antonio Dematteis: chair of the IAEG Commission 28 on Reliability quantification of the geological model in large civil engineering projects; Lombardi SA, Bellinzona-Giubiasco, Switzerland
• Ass. Prof. Giovanna Vessia: co-chair of the IAEG Commission 28 on Reliability quantification of the geological model in large civil engineering projects; member of the Technical Committee 304 Engineering Practice of Risk Assessment and Management of the ISSGME
• Prof. Michael Hicks: chair of Technical Committee 304 Engineering Practice of Risk Assessment and Management of the ISSGME
• Dr. Joanna Pieczynska-Kozlowska: Adjunct Professor at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology; Member of the TC205 Safety and Serviceability and TC222 Geotechnical BIM and Digital Twins
• Dr. Zheng Guan, Assistant Professor at TU Delft, new member of Technical Committee 304 Engineering Practice of Risk Assessment and Management of the ISSGME.

OVERVIEW:

The workshop aims at illustrating the main approaches to managing variability and uncertainty in defining Engineering Geological Models (EGMs) in a wide range of design and mapping activities. EC7 and ISO2396 will be introduced and discussed to support the practical use of Reliable EGMs. Furthermore, the C28 Guidelines on “Managing Engineering Geological Model Uncertainty” will be suggested as an overview of classical methods used to deal with both conceptual and observational EGMs. Finally, some applications of geostatistics and Random Finite Element Methods will be suggested when advanced methods are needed to get to Reliable EGM.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

The workshop is intended to engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers who want to start handling uncertainties in ground modelling using simplified and advanced approaches.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The workshop participants will be provided with an introduction to ISO2396 and the EC7. Then, practical examples will be discussed where some of the proposed methods will be applied.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

The attendees will be aware of methods proposed in codes and standards to deal with uncertainties and variability in EGMs.

TEACHING STYLE:

This workshop will be delivered through lectures, applications, and open discussions.

COURSE MATERIAL PROVIDED:

Slides of the course.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

Participants should bring to the workshops: block notes or tablet.

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

Registration required.

Fee: 200 euros, including catering (coffee breaks and lunch).

20% discount for EurGeol title holders.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS:

Max. 30 – 40.