Geotechnical engineering 

Overview

Geotechnical research at CU Denver covers experimental, analytical and numerical research in geotechnical and soil-structure interaction problems under static and seismic loads, probability and risk-based research in geotechnical problems, seismic responses of various structures, expansive soil foundation designs and deep foundation problems.

Seismic Responses

• Dynamic properties of soils
• Earthquake-induced soil liquefaction
• Numerical approach to: dynamic soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects in composite dams, highway bridges, and high rises
• Seismic responses of MSE walls
• Ground motion amplification through soft soils
• Seismic soil-structure interaction in high rises and dams

Deep Foundations

• Deep foundations on heavily over-consolidated clays
• Soil-pile-structure interaction
• Influence of anomalies on drilled shaft foundations

Probability and Risk-Based Designs

• State-specific resistance factors for LRFD driven pile designs
• Statistical and probabilistic approaches to geotechnical problems

Transportation Facilities and Winter Road-Way Maintenance

• Winter snow and ice management: environmentally sensitive winter roadway sanding and deicing, management cost of sanding, cost of sanding on vehicular damage
• Cost of sanding
• Traffic barrier impact performance

Expansive Soils

• Expansive soil mechanics, properties and foundation designs

Numerical Analyses

• Soil-pile-structure Interaction of high Rises under Earthquake Shakings
• Seismic Responses of MSE Retaining Walls
• Finite Element Analysis of driven piles and drilled shafts
• Seismic Soil-Concrete Interaction in Composite Section of Folsam Main Dam

Students interested in environmental and sustainability engineering may pursue the master of science.

Faculty