Spanish Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

The Sociedad Española de Mecánica del Suelo e Ingeniería Geotécnica (SEMSIG) is a Spanish non-profit society with cultural, research, scientific and technical purposes. Its stated mission is to promote collaboration among those working in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering, and to organise the exchange of knowledge, ideas, research results and practical procedures in these fields and their applications. It is the Spanish national member society of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), which brings together more than 80 national societies. SEMSIG's activities include national symposia, an annual conference, society bulletins, the journal Geotecnia, a time capsule project, Luso-Spanish conferences, SEMSIG-AETESS technical sessions, sessions on geotechnically interesting works, a young engineers' congress, and the Carlos Oteo and Antonio Soriano awards. The society has been led by a succession of presidents since the early 1960s, and it recognises distinguished members through honorary membership. Its website publishes news, event programmes and registration information for its flagship events, such as the 12th National Symposium on Geotechnical Engineering (12 SNIG) held in Santander. As a learned society rather than a commercial enterprise, SEMSIG does not sell products in the conventional sense; its 'offerings' are its publications, conferences, awards and professional networking activities. It operates primarily in Spain and maintains international links through the ISSMGE. The society is governed by its members and officers, with a president at its head. Its current president, according to the available record, is Fernando Pardo de Santayana Carrillo, who took office in 2014.

The Sociedad Española de Mecánica del Suelo e Ingeniería Geotécnica (SEMSIG) is a Spanish non-profit society with cultural, research, scientific and technical aims. Its purpose is to promote collaboration among professionals and researchers working in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering, and to organise the exchange of knowledge, ideas, research results and practical procedures in these fields and their applications. The society is part of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), which groups more than 80 national societies. SEMSIG's leadership history dates back to the early 1960s. Frederico Turnell served as president from 1961 to 1964, followed by José Luis Escario Núñez del Pino (1964–1971), José Antonio Jiménez Salas (1971–1990), Ventura Escario Ubarri (1990–1994), Santiago Uriel Romero (1994–1998), Vicente Cuéllar Mirasol (1998–2006), César Sagaseta Millán (2006–2014), and Fernando Pardo de Santayana Carrillo from 2014 onwards. The society has also recognised distinguished members as honorary members (socios de honor) since 1991, beginning with José Antonio Jiménez Salas. Over the decades, SEMSIG has developed a broad programme of activities. These include national symposia, an annual conference, society bulletins, the journal Geotecnia, a time capsule project, Luso-Spanish conferences, SEMSIG-AETESS technical sessions, sessions on geotechnically interesting works, a young engineers' congress, and the Carlos Oteo and Antonio Soriano awards. The society maintains a website where it publishes news, event programmes and registration details. Recent news items on the site concern the 12th National Symposium on Geotechnical Engineering (12 SNIG), held in Santander, including programme updates and the awarding of Bright Spark Distinctions. As a learned society, SEMSIG does not operate as a commercial business; its activities are funded through membership and events, and its primary output is the advancement and dissemination of geotechnical knowledge in Spain and internationally through its ISSMGE affiliation.

• 2026

  12th National Symposium on Geotechnical Engineering (12 SNIG) held in Santander.

• 2014

  Fernando Pardo de Santayana Carrillo becomes president.

• 2006

  César Sagaseta Millán becomes president (2006–2014).

• 1998

  Vicente Cuéllar Mirasol becomes president (1998–2006).

• 1994

  Santiago Uriel Romero becomes president (1994–1998).

• 1991

  José Antonio Jiménez Salas is named the first honorary member (socio de honor).

• 1990

  Ventura Escario Ubarri becomes president (1990–1994).

• 1971

  José Antonio Jiménez Salas becomes president (1971–1990).

• 1964

  José Luis Escario Núñez del Pino becomes president (1964–1971).

• 1961

  Frederico Turnell begins term as president (1961–1964).

Non-profit learned society for soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering in Spain, affiliated with the ISSMGE.

• National Symposium on Geotechnical Engineering (SNIG)

  Flagship national symposium; the 12th edition was held in Santander in 2026.

• Geotecnia journal

  The society's journal.

• Carlos Oteo Award

  An award presented by the society.

• Antonio Soriano Award

  An award presented by the society.

1. 1SEMSIG – SOCIEDAD ESPAÑOLA DE MECÁNICA DEL SUELOsemsig.org
2. 2Sociedad Española de Mecánica del Suelo e Ingeniería Geotécnicaes.wikipedia.org
3. 3Sociedad Española de Mecánica del Suelo e Ingeniería Geotécnicawikidata.org