Helder I. Chaminé, faculty member in the Department of Geotechnical Engineering at Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP) and Director of ISEP’s Master’s in Geotechnical and Geoenvironment Engineering, has contributed to the publication of the landmark reference work “Geotechnics: Soil Mechanics, Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology“. The volume forms part of the “Thesaurus of Earth Sciences” editorial project, one of the most significant lexicographical initiatives promoted by the Lisbon Academy of Sciences (Academia das Ciências de Lisboa – ACL).

The volume dedicated to Geotechnics is of particular importance to professionals, researchers and students in engineering and geosciences, providing a consistent and up-to-date terminological reference. The standardisation of terminology in both Portuguese and English is a fundamental tool for supporting technical and scientific communication in academia and professional practice, promoting greater conceptual and methodological consistency across the design, construction, operation and management of infrastructure.

In the book’s foreword, Valente de Oliveira highlights the importance of precise terminology in the development and consolidation of scientific knowledge: “To achieve this, inspiration is often sought from Ancient Greek or Latin terms that help describe a new concept or technique with distinction and precision. This is not simply an exercise in displaying classical scholarship. The aim is to establish the correct designation that accurately defines the innovation in question. But it must also be standardised!” The current edition compiles, validates and standardises 5,254 terms.

Helder I. Chaminé’s contribution to this prestigious editorial project, promoted by the ACL, was recognised by João Paulo Meixedo, President of ISEP’s Technical and Scientific Council, who described it as “yet another expression of his innovative spirit and his recognised ability to lead and contribute to initiatives of outstanding scientific and technical value.” He further noted that “throughout his academic and professional career, Professor Chaminé has promoted distinctive projects, often based on transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches with broad international impact, contributing to the recognition of ISEP and Portuguese engineering on the global stage.” He concluded that this involvement “also reflects his commitment to advancing and disseminating knowledge in the field of Geotechnics,” reinforcing the importance of terminological standardisation in supporting research, higher education and the qualified practice of the profession.

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