Call for Abstracts, Exhibitors, and Sponsors for
The First ISRM Commission Conference onEstimation of Rock Mass Strength and Deformability– an ISRM Specialized Conference
Lima, Peru, December 6, 2024

Conference Venue – Hotel Melia, Lima, Peru

The conference venue surroundings

The Sri Lankan Rock Mechanics and Engineering Society (SLRMES) alongwith the Peruvian Society of Geoengineering (SPEG) invite you to participate
in the First ISRM Commission Conference on Estimation of Rock MassStrength and Deformability to be held in Lima, Peru on December 6, 2024.
The presence of complicated fracture networks, the inherent statisticalnature of their geometrical parameters, and the variabilities anduncertainties involved in the estimation of their geometrical and geomechanical properties, in-situ stress, etc. make accurate estimation of rockmass strength and deformability a difficult, and challenging task. On thecontrary, understanding the mechanical behaviour of rock masses is crucial
in designing safe, economical, and robust engineering structures in or onrock masses.
The strength and deformability of rock masses demonstrate a verysignificant scale effect and anisotropic behaviour at the three-dimensional(3-D) level mostly due to pre-existing discontinuities. It has been a greatchallenge for the rock mechanics and rock engineering profession topredict rock mass strength and deformability in 3-D which incorporates theeffect of important fracture geometry, relevant intact rock and fracture
mechanical properties, and intermediate principal stress and to capture thescale effects and anisotropic properties of jointed rock masses. Various
procedures that belong to the following three groups have been suggested
in the literature to estimate rock mass strength and deformability: (a) Basedon empirical methods that use one or several rock mass classification
systems; (b) Based on numerical modelling, and (c) Based on backcalculation methods using field monitored data of rock engineering
structures. The main goals of this conference are to provide an in-depth
review of the said available methods, and then to provide guidelines for rockmechanics teaching, to suggest future research to improve the availabletechniques in predicting rock mass strength and deformability properties,
and to recommend the best techniques to apply in rock engineering
practice to improve the prediction of rock mass mechanical behaviour infield problems associated with mining, civil geotechnical, geological, andpetroleum engineering.
The information on the conference is given on the website:
https://www.slrmes.org. The conference will cover advances in all theaforementioned areas of rock mechanics and rock engineeringencompassing the fields of mining, civil, geological and petroleum
engineering, and geophysics focusing on the theme “Estimation of Rock

Mass Strength and Deformability including the Associated Components”.
Each session is expected to start with a Session Lead Lecture given by anexpert on the session topic and end the session with a critical discussion.
The abstract submission deadline is August 15, 2024, and you are invited
to share studies on any rock mechanics/engineering topic related to theaforementioned theme. The abstracts are restricted to a maximum of 2
pages adhering to the given template. The abstract submission procedures
are available on the website: https://www.slrmes.org.
Potential exhibitors and sponsors are encouraged to drop an e-mail to theConference Chair, Prof. Kulatilake at kulatila@arizona.edu, or use theconference website to communicate the expression of interest. The trade
Exhibition and Technical Sessions will provide unmatched exposure andnetworking opportunities for the participants from universities, industry, andgovernment sectors.
If you intend to submit an abstract and present your work at the conferenceor to attend as a participant, you are requested to create an account via
https://www.slrmes.org/register.php.
The deadline to register for the conference is September 15, 2024, andthe registration fees are as follows:
Non-ISRM delegate: US$ 250
ISRM delegate: US$ 200
Student delegate: US$ 100
Sightseeing and exploring Peru
Peru is full of tourist attractions and anyone interested in sightseeing isrecommended to directly contact the following individuals fromhttps://kinsatravelcollection.com/en/
Whatsapp (a): Teresa +51-965 263 538
Whatsapp (b): Marita +51-932 586 634
teresanunez@kinsatravelcollection.com
The conference venue is close to a beach with magnificent views. Many
hotels and economical accommodations are available within a 1 km radiusof the conference venue in the range of US$ 40-US$ 125 per night. Please
visit https://www.slrmes.org to obtain Information on the conference venue,accommodation, visa, and travel to Peru. If you require an invitation letter toattend the conference, please send an e-mail to Prof. Kulatilake at
kulatila@arizona.edu.
We look forward to seeing you in breathtaking Peru in December 2024.
Prof. Pinnaduwa H.S.W. Kulatilake (kulatila@arizona.edu)

Conference Chair
Chair, ISRM Commission on Estimation of Rock Mass Strength and Deformability
President, Sri Lankan Rock Mechanics and Engineering Society (SLRMES)