Michelle Bernhardt, Ph.D

Research focus: laboratory validated element method (DEM) models, multi-scale granular material characterization, applications of digital imaging in Civil Engineering, and the use of DEM in Historic Preservation.

Richard Coffman, Ph.D, P.E., P.L.S.

Research focus: measurements of soil properties and remote sensing applications within Geotechnical Engineering.

Clinton Wood, Ph.D.

Research focus: earthquake engineering, soil dynamics, dynamic site characterization, and non-destructive testing techniques..

Jonathan Blanchard

Master's Candidate
Validation of Borehole Well Equations using In-situ Instrumentation
BSCE – University of Arkansas

Luis Buitrago

Master's Candidate

Benjamin Davis

Master's Candidate
The Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) Method as a Tool for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of Pavements and Bridge Decks
BSCE – University of Arkansas

Michael Deschenes

Master's Candidate
Deep Shear Wave Velocity Profiling and Site Response for Mississippi Embayment Bridges
BSCE – University of Arkansas

Sharad Dumre

Doctoral Candidate
BSCE – Tribhuvan University (Napal)
MSCE – University of Louisiana at Lafayette
A Modified Approach to Determine p-q-e-k Relationships

Abiy Ghirmay

Master's Candidate
Evaluation of Asbestos-Cement Pipe within the Bella Vista Village Water Distribution System
BSCE – University of Arkansas

Cyrus Garner

Doctoral Candidate, Arkansas Distinguished Academy Fellow
BSCE – Northwestern University
MSCE – University of Arkansas
Development of a Multiband Remote Sensing System for Determination of Soil Properties

Elvis Ishimwe

Doctoral Candidate
BSCE – University of Arkansas
MSCE – University of Arkansas
Drag Load and Down Drag on Deep Foundations in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

Nabeel Mahmood

Doctoral Candidate
BSCE – University of Anbar
MSCE – University of Baghdad
Effects of Modulus and Stress Path on Developed Constitutive Models

Behdad Mofarraj

Master's Candate

Tim Moody

Master's Candidate
Rapid and non-destructive assessment of levees for strength and liquefaction resistance
BSCE – University of Arkansas

Sean Salazar

Doctoral Candidate, Arkansas Distinguished Academy Fellow, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Recipient
BSCE – University of Arkansas (Honors)
NSF REU – University of California at Davis
Mudslide and Rock Fall Hazard Following Wildfires

Anibal Santos

Doctoral Candidate

Anjana Thoroppady

Doctoral Candidate

Matthew Watters

Master's Candidate
Strength and dilatancy of granular materials using 3D printed soils
BSCE – University of Arkansas

Yi Zhao

Doctoral Candidate, China Scholarship Council Fellow
BSCE – Chengdu University of Technology
MSCE – Southwest Jiaotong University
Development of a Back-Pressure Saturated CRS Device with Bender Elements

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) Transportation Research Committee (TRC) Project 1502

• Title: Evaluating the Capacity of Deep Soil Foundations.
• Timeframe: October 14, 2014 through June 30, 2016.
• Funded By: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
• Collaborators: Richard Coffman (PI), Kyle Rollins (Co-PI, Brigham Young University), Elvis Ishimwe (PhD Student)

United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Research and Innovation Technology Administration (RITA) Cooperative Agreement Award OASRTRS-14-H-UARK

• Title: Remote Sensing Based Assessment System for Evaluating Risk to Transportation Infrastructure Following Wildfires.
• Timeframe: September 15, 2014 through September 15, 2016.
• Collaborators: Richard Coffman (PI), Thomas Oommen (Co-PI, Michigan Technological University), Keith Webber (GIS Coordinator, Idaho State University), Priscilla Addison (PhD Student Michigan Technological University), Cyrus Garner (PhD Student), Sean Salazar (PhD Student), Ashley Kern (Undergraduate Student Michigan  Technological University), Leah Miramontes (Undergraduate Honors Student), Brendan Yarborough (Undergraduate Student)

Rapid and non-destructive assessment of levees for strength and liquefaction resistance

• Timeframe: January 2015 through December 2016.
• Funded By: USDOT, Maritime Transportation Research & Education Center(MarTREC)
• Collaborators: Clinton Wood (PI), Michelle Bernhardt

Evaluating the Condition of Asbestos-Cement Pipe within the Bella Vista Village Water Distribution System

• Timeframe: May 2014 through April 2016
• Funded By: Bella Vista Village Property Owners Association(BVVPOA)
• Collaborators: Clinton Wood (PI), Michelle Bernhardt

Undergraduate Courses

CVEG 3133 Soil Mechanics (Sp, Fa)

Introduction to geotechnical engineering. Properties of soils related to foundations, retaining walls, earth structures, and highways. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week.

• Pre- or Co-requisite: CVEG 3213.
• Co-requisite: Lab component.
• Prerequisite: MEEG 3013, MATH 3404.

CVEG 4143 Foundation Engineering (Sp, Fa)

Analysis and design of retaining walls, footings, sheet piles, and piles. Determination of foundation settlements in sand and clay.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 1113 and CVEG 3133.

CVEG 4153 Earth Structures (Irregular offered with CVEG 5143)

The use of soil as a construction material for roads, dams and building foundations is the major focus of the course.  A variety of soil improvement techniques, including chemical and mechanical stabilization are discussed.  Special topics include slope stability, swelling, and collapsible soils.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 3133.

CVEG 4821 Geotechnical Design Project (Fa)

Comprehensive engineering design project primarily related to geotechnical issues.

• Co-requisite: CVEG 4143.

CVEG491VH Honors Studies in Geotechnical Engineering (Irregular) (1-6)

The study of advanced topics in the geotechnical engineering field. May include participation in geotechnical engineering courses normally available only to graduate students. Course may be repeated for up to 6 hours total credit with approval of the CVEG honors advisor.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 3133.

Graduate Courses

CVEG 5113: Soil Dynamics (Irregular)

This course covers propagation of stress waves in elastic and inelastic materials, dynamic loading of soils, and stiffness and damping properties of soils. Use of field and laboratory techniques to determine the shear wave velocity of soils. Also includes applications of dynamic soil properties in site stiffness characterization, geotechnical earthquake engineering, evaluation of ground improvement, and design of machine foundations. Lecture 3 hours per week.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 4143.

CVEG 5123: Shear Strength and Measurement of Soil Properties (Irregular)

This course focuses on development of an understanding of the fundamental variables governing the strength of soils, including soil mineralogy, particle characteristics, confining stress, drainage, and anisotropy. This course includes detailed discussion and analysis of standard and specialized testing equipment and experimental procedures. Lecture two hours per week and laboratory three hours per week.

Co-requisite: Lab component.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 3133.

CVEG 5133: Geosynthetic Applications in Civil Engineering

Investigation of the properties of various geosynthetics and techniques available to measure them.  Design of various civil engineering facilities using geosynthetics, to include filtration, reinforcement, and drainage applications.  Lecture three hours per week.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 4143.

CVEG 5143: Transportation Soils and Ground Modification (Irregular)

This course involves the advanced study of subgrade and foundation soil properties as they relate to the resistance to dynamic loading. Modification techniques evaluated in this course include chemical additives, mechanical compaction, and grouting. Lecture three hours per week.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 3133.

CVEG 5153: Earth Retaining Structures (Irregular)

Development and application of earth pressure and limit equilibrium concepts to evaluate global and internal stability of earth retaining structures. Design of traditional retaining structures, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structures, soil nailing, and braced excavations.  Also includes applications of geosynthetics in reinforcement and drainage applications.  Lecture three hours per week.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 4143.

CVEG 5163: Seepage and Consolidation (Irregular)

Investigation of the flow of water through soils and the time rate of compression of soils. Seepage topics include characterization of the hydraulic conductivity of soils in the field, seepage through earth dams, and seepage control systems. Consolidation topics include analytical and experimental investigations of soil volume change under hydraulic and mechanical loading. Lecture three hours per week.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 4143.

CVEG 5173: Advanced Foundations (Irregular)

Design analysis and quality control issues related to deep and shallow foundations.  Topics include axial and lateral loading of driven and drilled piles and pile groups and the design and analysis of mat or raft foundations. Lecture three hours per week.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 4143

CVEG 5183: Geo-Environmental Engineering (Irregular)

Study of the geotechnical aspects of waste containment systems and contaminant remediation applications. Topics include analysis and measurement of flow of water and contaminants through saturated and unsaturated soils, clay mineralogy and soil-chemical compatibility, and mechanical and hydraulic behavior of geomembranes, geotextiles, and geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). Course includes use of hand solutions and computer programs for slope stability analysis. Lecture three hours per week.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 3133.

CVEG 5193: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (Irregular)

This course covers stress wave propagation in soil and rock; influence of soil conditions on seismic ground motion characteristics; evaluation of site response using wave propagation techniques; liquefaction of soils; seismic response of earth structures and slopes.  Lecture three hours per week.

• Prerequisite: CVEG 4143.