IAEG 2026 Course #4:4D Engineering Geology & the Limits of Conventional Design Analysis

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 #4: 4D Engineering Geology & the Limits of Conventional Design Analysis

WHEN:

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

Full day – 9:00 to 16:00.

INSTRUCTOR:

• Dr Chrysothemis Paraskevopoulou, Associate Professor in Tunnelling and Rock Engineering, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Great Britain, www.chrysothemis.me

CO-INSTRUCTOR:

• Prof Mark Diederichs, Professor Emeritus in Geological Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

OVERVIEW:

Engineering geologists and geological engineers are tasked with capturing the complexity of the subsurface—within and beyond the immediate project footprint. Whether it is for a tunnel, quarry, cavern, slope, or repository, the challenge remains the same: building a geological model that accurately reflects reality, both in three dimensions and over time. This fourth dimension—time—is critical. It underpins geological events and processes, allowing us to better understand structural evolution, fault types, jointing, weathering, alteration, and rock fabric development.

But how often do our models, and the tools we use, really reflect this complexity?

Over the last half-century, engineering practice has often reduced geological richness to simplified inputs—rock mass classifications, homogenized domains, and analytical solutions assuming uniform, isotropic conditions. While these tools are convenient, they can obscure or misrepresent the true behavior of the rock mass – especially when it is discrete, inhomogeneous, anisotropic, or evolving.

This workshop is designed to bring geology and engineering back into alignment. We will begin with a concise review of the principles of 4D geological modeling, including how to handle uncertainty (both parametric and discrete) in real-world projects. We will then explore the limitations of common engineering analysis approaches—including classification-based inputs, overly simplified tunnel profiles, and assumptions of material uniformity—when applied to complex geological conditions. Through a series of case studies, live demonstrations, and hands-on modeling exercises, you will engage directly with the consequences of oversimplification.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Engineering geologists, geological engineers, civil engineers, and geotechnical professionals.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The workshop participants will see how different interpretations of geology can profoundly influence design decisions—and how industry-standard software can (and can’t) capture this.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

After completing the workshop, participants will better integrate geological insight into engineering practice—and challenge the assumptions that often go unquestioned in conventional design.

TEACHING STYLE:

This workshop will comprise a combination of:

• Lectures and case studies: foundations of geological modeling and where engineering analysis falls short
• Live demonstrations: real-time analysis of how geological complexity impacts model outputs, with open Q&A, interactive discussions, and hands-on exercises using real-world examples
• Hands-On exercises
• Use of industry-standard software to model geological impact on design outcomes.

COURSE AND MATERIAL PROVIDED:

Lecture notes and short handouts for hands-on exercises

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

Participants must bring their own PC laptops (Windows only, NOT Mac)

Software Provided: 30-day licenses for RS2, UNWEDGE, and SLIDE (via Rocscience)

Licenses will be sent 10 days before the course, along with installation instructions and a custom tutorial guide.

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

Registration required.

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

20% discount for EurGeol title holders.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS:

25 – 35.