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Overview
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Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information on a specific research topic. |
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My research interests are focused on soil behavior and environmental geotechnics with particular emphasis on laboratory and field measurements for site characterization programs. In the area of soil behavior, we are conducting research on the stress-strain-strength behavior of soft clays through automated laboratory testing. This includes constant rate of strain consolidation, stress path cell triaxial, and direct simple shear testing. A major emphasis of the work is on practical means for determining reliable measurements of soil parameters for design. Related to this goal is our research on soft clay sampling and quantification of sample disturbance. Through the use of block sampling we are studying the effects of various field-sampling techniques on clay behavior. We are also investigating nondestructive methods, such as shear wave velocity and suction, for evaluating sample disturbance in clays. From this research we ultimately hope to develop guidelines for quantification of sample disturbance that can be implemented in practice. One particular aspect of our research on clay behavior that is fascinating is our study of the engineering behavior of Connecticut Valley Varved Clay (CVVC). This soil's most distinguishing feature is its varved nature with alternating layers of silt-fine sand and clay. At the UMass Amherst National Geotechnical Experimental Site (NGES) there are approximately 1,400 such varves over the 33 m thickness of the deposit. This feature of the soil gives it several unique engineering properties making it a challenging soil for engineering design. There are extensive varved clay deposits in glaciated regions of the world for which our research on the behavior of CVVC is relevant. In the area of environmental geotechnics our research is focused on methods for effectively characterizing contaminated sites. This research work is typically on large multidisciplinary projects in collaboration with our Environmental Engineering and Geosciences Groups. We have worked at sites contaminated with automotive hydrocarbons, jet fuel, and deicing salts. My specific role in these projects are in the areas of in situ testing, soil gas sampling, borehole sealing, and in situ and laboratory measurement of hydraulic conductivity. |
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Current
Research Topics
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Recent,
Current and Upcoming Courses
Fall 2006 CE-ENGIN 620 Soil Behavior Spring 2007CE-ENGIN 121 – Civil and Environmental Engineering Measurements Fall 2007CE-ENGIN 240 – Statics Spring 2008 CE-ENGIN 622 – Geotechnical Materials Testing |
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Graduate
Students
Graduate students are at the heart of my research mission. Our research work is primarily focused experimental geotechnics, both in the laboratory and the field. I work closely with my students to train them how to conduct a variety of laboratory and field experiments – and of course they often give me new ideas and methods. We have excellent laboratory facilities and equipment (especially in our new ElabII building) and also have excellent in situ testing equipment. My graduate students have worked at numerous test sites worldwide including our National Geotechnical Experimentation Site (NGES) located on the UMass Amherst campus and at other sites in Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Louisiana, California, Ontario, Quebec, Norway and Australia. Current and Past Graduate Students include: Doctor
of Philosophy
Master
of Science
Undergraduate
Student Research Projects
(Honors/NSF REU/DOD
Fellowship):
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