My research interests are in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Mining Engineering, Soil Dynamics, Seismic Hazard Characterization, Geomechanics, Constitutive Modeling, Numerical simulations and Centrifuge Testing. Particularly, I focus on studying: the mechanical behavior of soil under earthquake loading; how ground motion propagates through soil profiles (site response), an how a potential geotechnical failure can develop during an earthquake. I am also focusing on the specificities of seismic hazard in Eastern North America, and developping design procedures that can be used safely there.
The goal of all my research projects is not only to advance the state of knowledge in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering but also to provide tools to engineers. For instance, I am interested in developing robust constitutive models that capture the complex behavior of soils under both static and dynamic loading. My philosophy is that to create a good model, one should identify the driving mechanisms of the soil behavior and describe it with well known engineering parameters. I strive to create models that practitioners can use in their daily routine.
Current Research Projects:
Constitutive Modeling of Sensitive Clays
Seismically Induced Landslides in Sensitive Clays
Site Effects of Soft Soil Profiles
Seismic and Static Stability of Tailings Impoundments
Consequence of Earthquakes on Water Distribution Networks
Previous Research Projects:
A Visco-Plastic Model for 1D Ground Response
Levees and Earthquakes: Averting an Impending Disaster
3D Constitutive Model for Site Response Analysis
ARCS: a Nonlinear Constitutive Model for 1D Ground Response
Evaluation of Effective Stress Methods for Ground Response Analysis
Published Constitutive Models: