GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING GROUP
The Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Group investigates the use and performance of natural and enhanced geomaterials, geosynthetics, and waste products.
Our research focuses on challenges related to natural hazards and protection of water and environment, with the goal of increasing sustainability and resiliency of infrastructure.
RESEARCH AREAS
- Geotechnical earthquake engineering and soil dynamics
- Resiliency of engineering infrastructure to natural hazards
- Engineered barriers for containing waste and subsurface contamination
- Flow and transport through saturated and unsaturated porous media
- Geotechnical aspects of stormwater control measures
- Recycled materials and beneficial reuse in geotechnical applications
LAB FACILITIES
Measuring properties of soil-bentonite backfill
Experimental research primarily occurs in the Soils Laboratory as well as at a wide range of field sites. The Soils Laboratory is equipped with advanced testing equipment, such as:
- Cyclic triaxial and direct simple shear devices with bender elements for evaluating static and dynamic soil properties
- Multiple state-of-the-art testing apparatuses for measuring flow and contaminant transport properties of porous media under variable conditions
- PANDA dynamic cone penetrometer for site investigation
- HYPROP and KSAT benchtop equipment for automated measurement of soil water characteristic curves
- Multiple SATURO infiltrometers for automated measurement of field infiltration rates
Evaluating dynamic soil properties with cyclic simple shear device and bender elements
Measuring field infiltration rates in rain gardens
Measuring compressibility of reclaimed asphalt pavement
Measuring shear strength of recycled materials for use in geotechnical infrastructure
Measuring contaminant transport properties of clays at elevated temperatures
Measuring soil water characteristic curves and saturated hydraulic conductivity