Baugrundtagung 2026 in Leipzig:
Geotechnical Engineering, Innovative Solutions
and a Living Tradition

From 23 to 25 September 2026, the 39th Baugrundtagung, organized by the German Geotechnical Society (DGGT), took place in Leipzig. The event brought together experts from academia and industry, offering insights into current developments in geotechnical engineering and specialist foundation engineering through an extensive program of technical presentations and an accompanying exhibition. Key topics included the revised Eurocode 7 and the application of artificial intelligence in geotechnical engineering. ZAI Ziegler und Aulbach Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH was also represented with a joint exhibition stand alongside STABAU GmbH – Founded on Steel.

The main focus of our joint exhibition stand was thermally activated sheet pile walls as a means of harnessing geothermal energy. Using a model of an energy sheet pile wall, we were able to demonstrate the operating principle and discuss technical aspects and potential applications with visitors. We also presented ZAI's range of services – from consulting on geotechnical matters, second opinions and expert assessments to the design and analysis of geotechnical structures.

In addition to the technical topics, there was also time to reconnect on a personal level. As at previous Baugrundtagung conferences in Wiesbaden and Bremen, former students of the Chair of Geotechnical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University gathered at our exhibition stand for what has now become a traditional get-together. This year's whisky tasting was complemented by a gin tasting for the first time, providing an opportunity to make new contacts and reconnect with former colleagues and fellow students.

We were also pleased to welcome students from the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) to our stand. They had learned about the conference through Prof. Aulbach's geotechnical engineering lectures and had won the opportunity to attend the event through a competition organized by the Young DGGT.

We would like to thank the organizers and everyone who visited our exhibition stand for the conversations and their interest in our work. We look forward to seeing you again at the 40th Baugrundtagung in Münster in 2028!