Research Group
Geotechnical Engineering for Resilience and Sustainability
Research Staff
Dr Davide Forcellini (Home-country: San Marino Republic)
Position: Associate Research Fellow
Research Topic: Geotechnical seismic-isolation foundation systems: FEM numerical investigations
PG Research Students
Arjun Murali (Home-country: India)
PhD Candidate (Dec. 2019 - in progress)
Research Topic: Strength properties of gravel-tyre rubber mixtures
Supervisory Team: Gabriele Chiaro, Ali Tasalloti (Beca), Alessandro Palermo (UCDS) & Giuseppe Modoni (University of Cassino)
Linxuan (Marcus) Wang (Home-country: China)
PhD Student (Sept. 2022 - in progress)
Research Topic: Liquefaction potential of gravelly soils prepared by water sedimentation technique
Supervisory Team: Gabriele Chiaro, Sean Rees & Claudio Cappellaro (T+T)
Angela Fiamingo (Home-country: Italy)
PhD Student (University of Catania, Italy)
Research Topic: The study of a sustainable base isolation technique in dynamic soil-structure interaction
Supervisory Team: Prof. Rossella Massimino, Glenda Abbate & Gabriele Chiaro
Milan Sedai (Home-country: Nepal)
PhD Student (April 2023 - in progress)
Research Topic: Environmental impacts of rubber-gravel mixtures for use in ERGSI foundation applications
Supervisory Team: Simone Larcher, Laura Banasiak & Gabriele Chiaro
Sabrina Sparano (Home-country: Italy)
PhD Candidate (2019 - in progress)
Research Topic: Tessellation of modular dynamic design, fabrication, and programming of a reconfigurable sustainable structure
Supervisory Team: Alessandro Palermo (UCDS), Gabriele Chiaro & Thomas Wood
Sneha Madathiparambil Paul (Home-country: India)
Master Thesis Student (September 2023 - in progress)
Research Topic: Experimental investigation and modeling of the cyclic and dynamic behavior of soil-rubber mixtures for innovative applications in geotechnical earthquake engineering
Supervisory team: Anna Chiaradonna (Universita' dell'Aquila, Italy) & Gabriele Chiaro
Undergraduate Students
Summer Research Students
Final Year UG Project Students
Former Researchers
Dr Royce Liu (Home-country: New Zealand)
Position: Post-doctoral Research Fellow (Dec 2020 - Feb 2022)
Research Topic: Eco-rubber seismic-isolation foundation systems: mechanical behaviour of rubberised concrete
Dr Ali Tasalloti (Home-country: Iran)
Position: Research Fellow (Nov 2018- June 2021)
Research Topic: Eco-rubber seismic-isolation foundation systems: geotechnical characterisation of gravel-tyre rubber mixtures
Former Students
PhD Students
Ernesto Hernandez (Nicaragua; PhD 2024), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Alessandro Palermo, Gabriele Chiaro & Allan Scott); Thesis: Seismic behaviour of rubberized concrete columns
Shaurya Sood (India; PhD 2024), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Gabriele Chiaro, Thomas Wilson & Mark Stringer); Thesis: Geochemical and geotechnical characteristics of slightly-weathered tephras in New Zealand
Abilash Pokhrel (Nepal; PhD 2023), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Gabriele Chiaro, Misko Cubrinovski, Takashi Kiyota & Reiko Kuwano); Thesis: Geotechnical characterization and liquefaction potential of sand - gravel mixtures
Sabina Piras (USA; PhD 2022), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Alessandro Palermo & Gabriele Chiaro); Thesis: Development of dissipative controlled rocking bridge columns on monopile foundations
Riwaj (Ribu) Dhakal (New Zealand; PhD 2022), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Misko Cubrinovski, Jonathan Bray, Gabriele Chiaro & Chris McGann); Thesis: Liquefaction assessment methodologies for reclaimed land
Luca Paolella (Italy; PhD 2021), University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy - (Supervisory Team: Giuseppe Modoni, Gabriele Chiaro & Misko Cubrinovski); Thesis: Assessment of earthquake-induced liquefaction risk: methodology and case studies
Claudio Cappellaro (Italy; PhD 2019), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Misko Cubrinovski, Jonathan Bray & Gabriele Chiaro); Thesis: The influence of fines content, fabric and layered structure on the undrained cyclic behaviour of Christchurch sandy soils
Muhammad Umar (Pakistan; PhD 2019) University of Tokyo, Japan - (Supervisory Team: Takashi Kiyota & Gabriele Chiaro); Thesis: Degradation and stress-strain properties of sand in undrained torsional shear tests
Ali S.M. Tasalloti (Iran; PhD 2015) University of Wollongong, Australia - (Supervisory Team: Buddhima Indraratna, Cholachat Rujikiatmajorn, Gabriele Chiaro & Anna Heitor); Thesis: Behaviour of blended waste materials for land reclamation for port extension
Master's Thesis Students
Nainesh P. Chheda (India; MEng 2023), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Gabriele Chiaro & Sean Rees); Thesis: A critical state approach to characterise the liquefaction potential of sand-gravel mixtures
Kevin Chew (Malesia; MEng 2021), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Gabriele Chiaro, Ali Tasalloti & J. Vinod, University of Wollongong); Thesis: The mechanical behaviour of gravel-rubber mixtures: insights from DEM numerical investigations
Muhammad Umar (Pakistan; MEng 2016), University of Tokyo, Japan - (Supervisory Team: Takashi Kiyota & Gabriele Chiaro); Thesis: Large strain behavior of very loose Toyoura sand in undrained cyclic torsional shear tests with initial static shear
Luca Paolella (Italy; MScEng 2016), University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy - (Supervisory Team: Giuseppe Modoni & Gabriele Chiaro); Thesis: Liquefaction risk assessment: the 2010-2011 Christchurch Earthquake Sequence (NZ)
Shaghayegh Naeeni (Iran; MEng 2011), University of Wollongong, Australia - (Supervisory Team: Cholachat Rujikiatkmajorn & Gabriele Chiaro); Thesis: A study of the compressive strength of coal washery reject material
Master's Project Students
Raviraj Revansidh Swami (India; MEngSt 2023), University of Canterbury - Research Project: Seismic performance of eco-rubber geotechnical seismic isolation (ERGSI) system: numerical study
Binia Raj Karthika (India; MEngSt 2023), University of Canterbury - Research Project: Experimental investigations on the dynamic response of GSI systems with gravel-rubber mixtures by impact hammer tests
Adinda Chaerany (Indonesia; MEngSt 2019), University of Canterbury - Research Project: Shake table testing of eco-rubber soil foundation systems
Arjun Murali (India; MEngSt 2019), University of Canterbury - Research Project: Strength properties of gravel-tyre rubber mixtures
Bachelor Thesis Students
Hirotoshi Miyamoto (Japan; BEng 2015) University of Tokyo, Japan - (w A/Prof. Takashi Kiyota); Thesis: Large strain liquefaction characteristics of Christchurch sand in torsional shear tests
Yuki Umehara (Japan; BEng 2015) University of Tokyo, Japan - (w A/Prof. Takashi Kiyota); Thesis: Applicability of ‘Gel-Push’ sampling technique for sandy soil layers
Michael Lofts (Australia; BEng 2013) University of Wollongong, Australia - (w A/Prof. Cholachat Rujikiatkmajorn); Thesis: Geotechnical properties of a coal wash and steel slag blend as potential port reclamation fill
Jordan David Peterson (Australia; BEng 2012) University of Wollongong, Australia - (w A/Prof. Cholachat Rujikiatkmajorn); Thesis: Behaviour of coal wash and steel furnace slag mixtures in relation to their usage as compacted fill
UG Research Project Students
Stella Liu (2023) - Geotechnical characterisation of large-size gravel-rubber mixtures - AP10
Jingyi (Stella) Liu (2021-22) Project: Geotechnical characterisation of large-size gravel-rubber mixtures
Hasara Ranchagoda (2019-20). Project GCH1902SU-1
Angela Robinson (2019-20). Project GCH1902SU-2
Final Year UG Project Students (University of Canterbury)
Ken Yonamine (2023) - One-dimensional compression characteristics of gravel-glass-rubber mixtures - Project GCH2303-1
Jiangze Chai (2023) - One-dimensional compression characteristics of gravel-glass-rubber mixtures - Project GCH2303-2
Giselle Dousti (2023) - Reducing CO2 emission in sustainable geotechnical applications - Project GCH2302-1
Grace Waller (2023) - Reducing CO2 emission in sustainable geotechnical applications - Project GCH2302-2
Selina Ripley (2023) - Shear strength characteristics of gravel-glass-rubber mixtures - Project GCH2301-1
Jaxon Taylor (2023) - Seismic performance of residential buildings placed on geotechnical seismic isolation systems - Project GCH2305-1
Jacob Murdoch (2023) - Seismic performance of residential buildings placed on geotechnical seismic isolation systems - Project GCH2305-2
Samuel Christian (2022) - Physical and mechanical properties of gravel-recycled glass-recycled rubber mixtures - Project GCH2201-1- (NZGS Poster Award: 2nd Place; CNRE FYP Presentation Award: 2nd Place)
Logan Goldingham (2022) - Physical and mechanical properties of gravel-recycled glass-recycled rubber mixtures - Project GCH2201-2 - (NZGS Poster Award: 2nd Place)
Clayton Freeman (2022) - Seismic stability analyses of rigid retaining walls with light-weight gravel-rubber backfills - Project GCH2203-1
Conor Campbell (2022) - Seismic stability analyses of rigid retaining walls with light-weight gravel-rubber backfills - Project GCH2203-2
David Thoo (2020). Leaching characteristics of gravel-tyre mixtures - Project GCH2001-1
Sara Whibley (2020). Leaching characteristics of gravel-tyre mixtures - Project GCH2001-2
Julia Young (2020). Geotechnical Properties of Gravel-Rubber Mixtures - Project GCH2003-1 - (NZGS Poster Award: 1st Place; CNRE FYP Poster Award: 3rd Place; CNRE FYP Presentation Award)
Olivia Ross (2020). Geotechnical Properties of Gravel-Rubber Mixtures - Project GCH2003-2 - (NZGS Poster Award: 1st Place; CNRE FYP Poster Award: 3rd Place; CNRE FYP Presentation Award)
Billy Uriah (2020). Compaction properties of gravelly soils -Project GCH2004-1
Callum Nish (2020). Compaction properties of gravelly soils - Project GCH2004-2
Sarifah Abd Rahman (2020). Design and analyses of gravity-cantilever retaining walls backfilled with a lightweight material - Project GCH2005-1
Tasha Tan (2020). Design and analyses of gravity-cantilever retaining walls backfilled with a lightweight material - Project GCH2005-2
Maysen Bloemen (2019). 1-D compression properties of gravel-granulated tyre rubber mixtures - Project GCH1901-1
Ryan Thom (2019). 1-D compression properties of gravel-granulated tyre rubber mixtures - Project GCH1901-2
Hasara Ranchagoda (2019). Rubcrete-rubber gravel interface properties for foundation design - Project GCH1902-1 - (NZGS Poster Award: 2nd Place; CNRE FYP Poster Award: 3rd Place)
Angela Robinson (2019). Rubcrete-rubber gravel interface properties for foundation design - Project GCH1902-2 - (NZGS Poster Award: 2nd Place; CNRE FYP Poster Award: 3rd Place)
Connor Hopkins (2019). Compaction characteristics of gravel-rubber and sand-rubber mixtures - Project GCH1903-1
John Darwin (2019). Compaction characteristics of gravel-rubber and sand-rubber mixtures - Project GCH1903-2
Sam Hooper (2019). Compaction characteristics of gravel-rubber and sand-rubber mixtures - Project GCH1904-1
Niall Kearney (2019). Shear strength of gravel-rubber mixture in a triaxial apparatus - Project GCH1904-2
David Rothe (2019). Compression strength of pressed earth blocks - Project GCH1905-1
Dean Aspin (2019). Compression strength of pressed earth blocks - Project GCH1905-2
Youri Lee (2018). Guidelines for use of volcanic ash in seashore reclamation - Project GCH1806-1
Martina Junca (2018). Guidelines for use of volcanic ash in seashore reclamation - Project GCH1806-2
Peter Lee (2018). Geotechnical properties of Auckland granular volcanic soils - Project GCH1801-1
Dominic Loh (2018). Geotechnical properties of Auckland granular volcanic soils - Project GCH1801-2
Hamish Paice (2018). Geotechnical properties of Wellington gravel reclamation deposits - Project GCH1802-1
James Kynaston (2018). Geotechnical properties of Wellington gravel reclamation deposits - Project GCH1802-2 (CNRE FYP Presentation Award: 1st Place)
Oliver J. Parris-Piper (2017). Excess pore water pressure characteristics of sands - Project GCH1701-1
Jonathan J. Webb (2017). Excess pore water pressure characteristics of sands - Project GCH1701-2
Joon-Su Kim (2017). Numerical simulation of the earthquake-induced Takanodai landslide, Kumamoto, Japan - Project GCH1702-1
Kevin S.Y. Chew (2017). Numerical simulation of the earthquake-induced Takanodai landslide, Kumamoto, Japan - Project GCH1702-2
Ralph Kile (2017). Geotechnical properties of kaolin-tyre chips mixtures - Project GCH1703-1
Newton Maeriua (2017). Geotechnical properties of kaolin-tyre chips mixtures - Project GCH1703-2
Alvin Yang (2017). Shear strength of gravel-tyre chips mixtures - Project GCH1705-1
Paionia Langilangi (2017). Shear strength of gravel-tyre chips mixtures - Project GCH1705-2
Oliver Fleischl (2016). Recycling and reuse of granular waste in New Zealand - Project GCH1601-1
Stewart Hancock (2016). Recycling and reuse of granular waste in New Zealand - Project GCH1601-2
Nathan J. Hanlon (2016). Strength properties of sand-tyre chips mixtures evaluated by direct shear tests - Project GCH1604-1
Jack M. Martin (2016). Strength properties of sand-tyre chips mixtures evaluated by direct shear tests - Project GCH1604-2
Peter Druce (2016). Reuse of crushed concrete aggregates as a suitable geo-construction material - Project GCH1602-1
Aaron King (2016). Reuse of crushed concrete aggregates as a suitable geo-construction material - Project GCH1602-2
Callum J. Stone (2016). Development of a small-scale physical model for liquefaction evaluation - Project GCH1605-1
Thomas W. Lau (2016). Development of a small-scale physical model for liquefaction evaluation - Project GCH1605-2
Andrew Maeribu (2016). Implementation and validation of a cyclic model for liquefiable sands - Project GCH1603-1
Madi Kwalea (2016). Implementation and validation of a cyclic model for liquefiable sands - Project GCH1603-2