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Research Area: Geotechnical Engineering

Engineering Stability and Safety from the Ground Up.

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Research Includes: Soil & rock mechanics, earthquake engineering, subsurface fluid flow, site remediation, soil liquefaction, slope stability, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS).
Geotechnical Engineering applies Civil Engineering technology to earth materials, such as soil and rock, typically found on or near the surface. Geotechnical Engineers design and analyze a wide range of infrastructure and natural geologic formations, addressing challenges related to foundations, slopes, retaining walls, tunnels, dams, embankments, earthquakes, ground contamination, and more.

In the News

Where Geosciences Meet Human Impact
September 23, 2026 Research: Awards, Geotech, Research, Uncategorized

For Rasoul Sorkhabi, CvEEN research professor at the University of Utah’s Energy & Geoscience Institute, 2026 marked a banner year—bringing significant professional...

Seminar Series: Dr. Mary MacLaughlin
April 6, 2026 Research: Geotech, Seminar Series

Dr. MacLaughlin shared highlights from over 30 years of research  in geotechnical engineering at our April 3, 2026 Seminar Series. Dr. Mary...

“Ground Decoder” Wins First Place in National Hackathon
March 27, 2026 Research: Geotech, Research, Students

Ph.D. student Ripon Chandra Malo is driven by a passion for advancing geotechnical engineering through data, computation, and innovation. His research focuses...

Student Spotlight: Ayat Alsadi
September 1, 2025 Research: Awards, Geotech, Research, Students

The extreme conditions beneath the earth's surface are both a challenge and an opportunity. For Ayat Alasadi, they are the foundation of...

Building a Greener Future with Safer Geothermal Energy
July 28, 2025 Research: Environmental, Geotech, Research

While geothermal energy is a clean and sustainable power source, its integration on a larger scale presents challenges, including the need for...

CAREER Award: Shahrzad Roshankhah is Cracking the Code on Rock Slope Failure
July 1, 2025 Research: Awards, Geotech, Research

A cliff face may be a symbol of serene solidity, but that mental image can violently change in an instant. After millions...

Graduate Courses in Geotechnical Engineering

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