Granular Materials Laboratory at UC Davis

University of California Davis

Alejandro Martinez

Problems

Granular materials micromechanics, soil fabric anisotropy, bio-inspired geotechnics, soil-structure interaction, fly ash and tailings.

Approach

DEM modeling, laboratory testing, centrifuge modeling.

Findings

Effect of fabric anisotropy on soil properties, micro-scale interactions between soils and structures, efficient load transfer between soils and structures, bio-inspired solutions for geotechnical engineering problems.

Impact

Our research aims to further the understanding of soil behavior and soil-structure interaction to develop efficient solutions for geotechnical and infrastructure challenges.

Core competencies

  • Soil mechanics
  • Geomechanics
  • Bio-inspiration
  • Soil-structure interaction
  • Centrifuge modeling

Current members

  • Kyle O'Hara (PhD student)
  • Sharif Ahmed (PhD student)
  • Yuyan Chen (PhD student)
  • Mandeep Basson (PhD student)
  • Lin Huang (PhD student)
  • Srikanth Madabhusgi (Postdoc)
  • Jasmine Miller (MS student)
  • Olivia Hunt (MS student)

Funding agencies

  • NSF, EPRI, CITRIS, EBMUD, CBBG