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Paris, France
the 18
th
International Conference on Soil Mechanics
and Geotechnical Engineering
>
September 2-6, 2013
16
Welcome to the 18 International Conference on Soil
Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Ladies, and Gentlemen
Dear Colleagues,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I want to express our sincere thanks to all of you for coming to the 18
th
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering here in Paris.
Since 2007, the French Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (CFMS) prepared the organization of
this Conference after the 5
th
conference in 1961 already In Paris.
I express my thanks to President Alain Guilloux, Past President of French society, to support this project from the
beginning to now.
Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference will be held the last week. The program of the this Conference is based on
a new format and consists of two days of Plenary Sessions, (Terzaghi Oration, Heritage Young Geotechnical Engineers
report, Conference Lectures, honour lectures of technical Committee (it is new)), forum on the topics of “Challenges
and Innovations”, and two days of parallel activities (Discussion Sessions, Workshops). In addition, a Technical Exhibition
entitled “challenges and innovations” is located in front of the great amphitheater.
I would quote an historical quotation of General Pershing in 1917 and say: “Concorde Lafayette nous voilà !” Concorde
Lafayette we are here !). Indeed we are here and now. Concorde Lafayette is the ancient name of the Hyatt hotel
near the Conference Center. The show is yours now. The concept of the conference is new. Our President, Jean-Louis
Briaud, has implicated the technical committees in the organization of the plenary and parallel sessions.
Many thanks to the committees which have done a very good work. This conference program is the final result of their
work. I think that is a great success and very interesting program.
This innovation is good for a conference whose the main topics is “Challenges and innovations”.
In conclusion I express my thanks and sincere appreciation to Jacques Robert, Valérie Bernhardt, Vice-Presidents of
the French Society, to Roger Frank, François Schlosser, Pierre Delage, Jacques Desrues, Frédéric Rocher-Lacoste, and
Alain Puech, of course and to all the members of committees involved in the organization. Thanks to Violaine Gauthier
and Séverine Beaunier for your professional support.
And please don’t forget to go to the geotechnical exposition in the Musée des Arts et Métiers of Paris (you have in
your bag, an invitation -free ticket- for this). This exposition is in French and in English. You can go and understand all!
Philippe Mestat
President of the French Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical engineering (CFMS)
President of the organizing committee of the18
th
conferences ICSMGE, Paris, 07-15-2013
TH