Year in Infrastructure 2026: Subsurface Modeling and Analysis winner announced Sponsored

Intertechne Consultores S.A. has been announced winner of the Subsurface Modeling and Analysis category at the Year in Infrastructure Awards 2026, hosted by Bentley Systems in Singapore.

Intertechne won for its work supporting the safe decommissioning of an upstream-raised tailings dam in Congonhas, Minas Gerais, helping address one of the Brazilian mining industry’s most important safety challenges.

Following high-profile tailings dam failures in recent years, Brazil introduced strict requirements for the decommissioning of upstream dams. The Intertechne project team used Seequent Leapfrog, PLAXIS 2D and PLAXIS 3D to develop an integrated geological and geotechnical model of the structure, its foundations, and the surrounding area.

The workflow combined data from more than 300 investigations to build a detailed three-dimensional understanding of subsurface conditions. The project was an example of how digital subsurface modelling can reduce uncertainty, improve collaboration across disciplines, and support the safe elimination of high-risk environmental liabilities.

Recognizing subsurface innovation

The Subsurface Modeling and Analysis category recognizes innovative applications of Seequent technology across industries including water, transportation, mining, and environmental management. This year’s category attracted 46 submissions from around the world.

Seequent Chief Customer Officer Angela Harvey said before the awards it was inspiring to see the caliber and diversity of projects entered.

‘With 46 submissions from around the world, the 2026 finalists showcase how subsurface innovation is helping solve some of the world’s most pressing infrastructure, environmental, and resource challenges. These projects highlight the impact that better subsurface understanding can have on reducing risk, improving sustainability, and supporting better decisions for communities around the world.’

Other category winners who used Seequent software

Seequent software also contributed to winning projects in five of the 12 award categories. Those customers were:

AYESA Engineering won the bridges and tunnels category for Porto Metro 3.0 in Portugal, where Leapfrog and PLAXIS underpinned an integrated digital tunnel design workflow.

SUDOP PRAHA a.s. won the rail and transit category for the HSR Central Bohemia high-speed rail project in the Czech Republic, where Leapfrog, PLAXIS, and OpenGround helped optimize route design and reduce earthwork risk.

The Torrens to Darlington Alliance won the roads and highways category for the T2D Project in Adelaide, where Leapfrog, PLAXIS, and OpenGround supported digital delivery of a 10.5km motorway with twin tunnels.

South-to-North Water Diversion (Chongqing) New Energy Development Co., Ltd. and POWERCHINA Zhongnan Engineering Corporation Ltd. won the energy production category for the Chongqing Yunyang Jianquan Pumped Storage Digital Power Station in China, where PLAXIS formed part of a full-lifecycle digital workflow.

Port Polska won the project delivery category for Poland’s EUR30 billion national infrastructure programme, where PLAXIS and OpenGround supported ground engineering across more than 85 parallel projects.

Founders’ Honors winners who used Seequent software

Three projects which used Seequent software also received Founders’ Honors Awards, chosen individually by Bentley Systems’ founders.

Norconsult Norge AS was recognized for the Mongstad Refinery Environmental Project in Norway, where a 3D geological model built in Leapfrog Works enabled targeted remediation of PFAS and hydrocarbon plumes while protecting groundwater and marine ecosystems.

Coba – Consultores de Engenharia e Ambiente was honored for the Santos Station extension of the Lisbon Metro, where PLAXIS modelling of more than 300 construction stages supported safe 38-metre-deep excavations beneath the city.

T.Y.Lin International Pte. Ltd, received the Ground-Informed Design honor for Singapore’s North-South Corridor, where PLAXIS and GeoStudio supported the design of an 800m dual three-lane road tunnel.

View all finalist and winning projects here.