• To promote co-operation amongst scientists and engineers
• To encourage the interchange of knowledge and ideas
• To disseminate the results of research work or innovative construction techniques in the field
  of soil mechanics and foundation engineering
• To foster the application of safe, economic, practical and modern geotechnical methods in South Africa.

These aims are achieved by active participation in affairs of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, by assisting in the organisation of the regional conferences and symposia, by arranging meetings throughout the year at various centres in the country, as well as educational courses for practising engineers, and the publication of a newsletter.

Close ties are maintained with engineering geologists as well as those specialists in the allied field of rock mechanics.