General report for TC104 physical modelling in geotechnics

The session of the 18th ICSMGE on physical modelling in geotechnics, held by Technical Committee 104, provides an opportunity to reflect on the varied contributions that physical modelling makes to our profession - in both research and practice. The 27 papers contributed within this theme span many different applications of physical modelling. These range from simple small-scale laboratory tests to reveal mechanisms of soil-structure interaction - particularly where simulation by numerical methods is problematic -Through to scaled-down versions of field constructions, performed outdoors, to validate the performance of new monitoring technology. These examples show physical modelling in action across the entire spectrum of geotechnics, from the validation of fundamental analysis principles, to the assurance of construction technology. In all cases, physical models - defined here as physical idealisations of all or part of an envisioned geotechnical system - provide a more convenient method of gaining knowledge than observing or simulating the full geotechnical system.