Future challenges and developments in geotechnics

On the basis of soil investigation, which is the fundamental activity in every constructional design, and the development of capable geotechnical soil models, this contribution focuses exemplarily on the developments in numerical design, the constructive handling of hydraulic forces in subsoil with the failure mechanisms hydraulic heave, erosion, piping and liquefaction, the challenges of inner-city building projects, the protection against natural risks, the development of renewable energies such as geothermics and the forthcoming revision of the European harmonised body of construction standards. In view of future challenges for civil engineers and the great significance of geotechnics as one of the core disciplines in civil engineering, an enhanced funding for an intensification of research activities in geotechnical engineering is urgently necessary for future and livelihood security.