icsmge 2013 - 18th International Conference for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering icsmge2013

France has a long history in building, civil engineering and architecture: many dikes and canals, dams, harbours and airports, roads and motorways, railways, underground works, fortifications, retaining structures, special foundations and earth structures have been built since the 18th century. These constructions were achieved thanks to engineering progress and innovation. French engineers and researchers have made fundamental contributions in the field of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering.

Since the 1970s, the awareness of the need to preserve natural resources, to fight against climate change, to reduce CO2 emissions, to integrate social concerns and ecological safety in economic development models has become widespread. Theses challenges, as well as the constant need of new constructions and infrastructures, should guide strategies and innovations.