The 8th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2014) was organised by the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems at the University of Western Australia under the auspices of the Technical Committee 104 for Physical Modelling in Geotechnics of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. This quadrennial conference is the traditional focal point for the physical modelling community of academics, scientists and engineers to present and exchange the latest developments on a wide range of physical modelling aspects associated with geotechnical engineering. These proceedings, together with the seven previous proceedings dating from 1988, present an inestimable collection of the technical and scientific developments and breakthroughs established over the last 25 years.

These proceedings include 10 keynote lectures from scientific leaders within the physical modelling community and 160 peer-reviewed papers from 26 countries. They are organised in 14 themes, presenting the latest developments in physical modelling technology, modelling techniques and sensors, through a wide range of soil-structure interaction problems, including shallow and deep foundations, offshore geotechnics, dams and embankments, excavations and retaining structures and slope stability. Fundamental aspects of earthquake engineering, geohazards, ground reinforcements and improvements, and soil properties and behaviour are also covered, demonstrating the increasing complexity of modelling arising from state-of-the-art technological developments and increased understanding of similitude principles. A special theme on education presents the latest developments in the use of physical modelling techniques for instructing undergraduate and postgraduate students in geotechnical engineering.