Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the International Conference on Advances and Innovations in Soft Soil Engineering, taking place from 24 to 26 August 2026 in Delft, the Netherlands.
Please use this website and the Soft Soils 2026 Dryfta platform as your official source of conference information. If you receive unclear or suspicious messages about registration, accommodation or payment, contact the conference organisation before taking action.
FAQ topics
Select a topic to jump directly to the relevant questions.
General
About Soft Soils 2026
```What is Soft Soils 2026?
Soft Soils 2026 is the International Conference on Advances and Innovations in Soft Soil Engineering. The conference brings together researchers, industry professionals, policymakers and early-career experts to share recent research, practical experience and new developments in soft soil engineering.
When and where will the conference take place?
Soft Soils 2026 will take place from 24 to 26 August 2026 in Delft, the Netherlands. The conference will be hosted at the TU Delft Aula Conference Centre.
Who should attend?
The conference is designed for a broad international audience, including academic researchers, geotechnical and civil engineering professionals, consultants, contractors, infrastructure owners, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, environmental scientists, urban planners, PhD candidates and early-career researchers.
What are the main conference themes?
The conference focuses on recent developments in soft soil engineering. Themes include design, construction, performance and monitoring on soft soils; laboratory and in situ testing; behaviour of soft soils; constitutive and numerical modelling; on-shore, near-shore and off-shore soft soils engineering; climate impact and resilience; machine learning and data analysis; and soft soils in geo-engineering education.
Registration
Registration, payment and cancellation
```How do I register for Soft Soils 2026?
Registration is handled through the online registration system on the Soft Soils 2026 Dryfta platform. You will be asked to create or log in to your account, complete your personal details and proceed through the registration steps.
Will I receive confirmation after registering?
After accessing the registration system, you will receive an email with your username and password. After completing your registration, you will receive a separate email with a recap of the requested services. Your registration is only confirmed once payment has been confirmed and processed.
Where can I find my confirmation letter?
Once payment has been confirmed and your registration has been processed, your confirmation letter will be available in your personal area in the online registration system. Log in using your username and password to access your account.
What is the early bird registration deadline?
The extended early bird registration deadline is 29 May 2026.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations received on or before 30 June 2026 may be refunded minus a €100 handling fee. Refunds will be processed within 30 days. Bank fees or currency conversion fees are at the participant's expense.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 30 June 2026.
Can I appoint a replacement participant?
Yes. If you can no longer attend, you may appoint a replacement participant at any time free of charge. Please send the name and contact details of the replacement participant to Softsoils2026@tudelft.nl.
Is Soft Soils 2026 responsible for travel or accommodation costs?
No. Soft Soils 2026 is not responsible for costs related to accommodation or travel. Participants are advised to book refundable travel options where possible and review the cancellation conditions of their hotel, airline or travel provider.
Contributions
Abstracts, extended abstracts and papers
```What types of contributions can I submit?
Participants can submit either an extended abstract of 3–4 pages or a full conference paper of 6–8 pages. Each contribution type has its own template.
Where do I submit my contribution?
Submissions must be uploaded through the ISSMGE Conference Review Platform. Contributions must be submitted in both .docx and .pdf format, regardless of the selected contribution type.
Will submissions be reviewed?
Yes. All submissions will be reviewed by the International Scientific Committee. Contributions will also undergo a plagiarism check as part of the review process.
What are the key dates for contributions?
- Abstract submission deadline: 30 September 2025
- Extended abstract submission deadline: 31 October 2025
- Notification of acceptance: 15 November 2025
- Extended abstract / full paper deadline: 8 March 2026
- Conference dates: 24–26 August 2026
How will accepted contributions be published?
Accepted extended abstracts will be made available with open access on the ISSMGE website. Accepted full conference papers will be published in the conference proceedings indexed in Scopus.
Programme
Sessions and conference experience
```What can I expect from the programme?
The three-day conference will include keynote lectures, technical sessions and interactive discussions. The programme is designed to share state-of-the-art developments and practical insights in soft soil engineering.
Will there be invited lectures?
Yes. The programme includes invited and distinguished lectures, including the Distinguished Lecture by Mirva Koskinen and invited lectures listed on the conference website.
What is the official conference language?
The official language of Soft Soils 2026 is English. Presentations, papers, abstracts and conference communication should be prepared in English.
Venue and travel
Getting to TU Delft Aula Conference Centre
```Where is the conference venue?
Soft Soils 2026 will be held at the TU Delft Aula Conference Centre, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CC Delft, the Netherlands.
How can I travel to Delft by air?
Delft can be reached from Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam The Hague Airport. From Schiphol Airport, there are several train connections per hour to Delft, including direct options and connections requiring a change in Leiden. From Rotterdam The Hague Airport, participants can travel by bus to Rotterdam Centraal and continue by train to Delft.
How do I reach the venue by public transport?
From Delft Centraal station, you can travel to the Aula Conference Centre by taxi, OV bicycle or bus. Bus 40 and bus 69 stop close to the venue at Aula TU Delft. Please check current schedules before travelling and allow extra time due to possible construction works around campus.
Can I travel to the venue by car?
The TU Delft Aula Conference Centre is accessible by car via the A13. Parking is available on campus. Paid parking applies Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00.
Visa
Visa requirements and invitation letters
```Do I need a visa to attend Soft Soils 2026?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and travel route. Participants are responsible for checking whether they require a short-stay Schengen visa for the Netherlands and for applying in time.
Can I request a letter of invitation?
Yes. Delegates who require an entry visa can obtain an official letter of invitation from the conference organisers. Invitation letters are only issued to registered and paid or approved delegates.
How do I download my invitation letter?
- Register for the conference and log in to the Soft Soils 2026 platform.
- Click on your name in the top-right corner.
- Select My Profile from the drop-down menu.
- Open your account profile.
- Click the blue Generate Visa Letter button.
Who can I contact about visa questions?
For specific visa-related questions, please email BlueBoxevents@tudelft.nl.
Accommodation
Hotels in Delft
```Are recommended hotels available?
Yes. The website lists preferred WestCord hotels and additional hotels in Delft. Preferred hotels include Hotel Arsenaal Delft by WestCord and WestCord Hotel Delft.
Is there a hotel discount?
A 10% discount is listed for guests at the preferred WestCord hotels. Please check the accommodation page for booking instructions and availability.
Should I book accommodation early?
Yes. Delft is a popular destination, especially during spring and summer. Participants are strongly advised to book accommodation well in advance, as hotels in and around Delft may fill up quickly.
Still have a question?
Please contact the right team for the fastest reply. Include your full name and, if applicable, your submission ID, registration ID or invoice number.
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