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The 22nd New Zealand Geomechanics Symposium was held in Auckland on 15 – 18 October 2025. All available papers (over 110) are provided below.

  ABSTRACT This paper outlines the increasing importance of incorporating digital tools and initiatives into large scale infrastructure projects subject to complex ground conditions. The development and operation of large-scale iron ore mining operations in the Pilbara, Western Australia necessitated the upgrade of the wharf…

ABSTRACT Design engineers often require rockfall protection structures that have relatively low impact energy resistance. Proprietary catch fences are available to the designer, but these can have capacities that greatly exceed the computed demand energy, and therefore may be overly expensive to construct. At a…

  ABSTRACT Deep basements and structures such as shafts for infrastructure often require embedded retaining walls to allow safe excavation and the control of groundwater. In urban environments the effects of retaining structure deformation and settlement associated with dewatering or groundwater drawdown can be significant…

ABSTRACT Inclined piles have been widely applied to resist excessive lateral loading in engineering practice. Although some unsatisfactory observations were found in past earthquake events, supportive evidence was also observed in recent years. This paper aims to clarify the performance of inclined piles against liquefaction-induced…

ABSTRACT Laponite is a nanomaterial that can transform the pore water into a viscous gel and continues to harden with time and can recover its strength after liquefaction. Initially, laponite suspension has very low viscosity, so it could be used in passive site remediation to…

ABSTRACT NZS 1170.5:2004 provides a subsoil classification system of classes A to E, which are determined by specific criteria of soil or rock characteristics. The fundamental site period, T, is a key parameter in the classification system and is particularly useful in deciding between soil…

ABSTRACT Expansive soils are present across the wider Auckland region and in many other parts of New Zealand, where residential buildings are increasingly supported on shallow slabs and footings in clay-rich soils subject to shrinking and swelling behaviour. Currently NZS3604 provides first-line guidance on the…

ABSTRACT Undetected cavities and large voids in rock can pose a significant problem to project progress or budgeting and are a potential health & safety concern. Often the problem arises from accidental detection during the project timeline which is less than ideal. Early detection of…

ABSTRACT Tensar uniaxial geogrids are molecularly oriented polymeric grid structures developed for tension resistant inclusions in soil walls and slopes. When stressed the geogrid must be capable of sustaining the load without rupture over the design life of the structure. The earliest use of high-density…