SOCHIGE to Host Chile–UAE Geotechnical Engineering Technical Exchange

The Chilean Geotechnical Society (SOCHIGE) invites the geotechnical community to participate in the Chile–UAE Geotechnical Engineering Technical Exchange, an online event bringing together specialists from Chile and the United Arab Emirates to share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on current challenges in geotechnical engineering.

The event will take place on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM Chile time (GMT−3) and 5:00 PM Dubai time (GMT+4). The program will feature technical presentations followed by a panel discussion, providing an opportunity to exchange ideas and explore geotechnical engineering challenges in both countries.

The main speakers will be Dr. Marwan Alzaylaie, Vice President of the ISSMGE UAE Chapter, who will discuss the geotechnical challenges associated with Dubai’s sedimentary rock, including soil–structure interaction and foundation performance; and Dr. David Solans, Geotechnical Consultant at WSP Chile and Argentina, who will present on the integration of site-specific ground investigation and monitoring data into finite element models of tailings storage facilities.

The panel discussion will feature Prof. Ghanim Kashwani, Full Professor, Chartered Engineer (CEng), and Fellow of ICE and IStructE, and Omar Nuñez, MSc, Director of the Chilean Geotechnical Society. The event will be hosted by Rafael Iglesias, MSc, President of the Chilean Geotechnical Society.

This initiative aims to strengthen professional ties between Chile and the United Arab Emirates, encourage international collaboration, and promote the exchange of technical knowledge and practical experience within the geotechnical engineering community.