Research Group

Research Staff 

PG Research Students

Undergraduate Students

UG Summer Research Project Students 

N/A

Final Year UG Project Students 

Beatrix Hermann - Shear strength characteristics of gravel-HDPE plastic-tyre rubber mixtures (GCH 2501-1)

Troy Brennan  - Shear strength characteristics of gravel-HDPE plastic-tyre rubber mixtures (GCH 2501-2)

Jarden Roudon - Critical state characteristics of sand-gravel mixtures with crushable sand (GCH 2504-1)

William Norman - Critical state characteristics of sand-gravel mixtures with crushable sand (GCH 2504-2)

George Walker - Shear strength characteristics of over-consolidated gravel-rubber mixtures (GCH 2506-1)

Maxwell Burton - Shear strength characteristics of over-consolidated gravel-rubber mixtures (GCH 2506-2)

Former Researchers

Former Students

PhD Students

1. Arjun Murali (India; PhD 2025),  University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team:  Gabriele Chiaro, Ali Tasalloti, Giuseppe Modoni & Alessandro Palermo); Thesis:  Characteristics and performance of of gravel-rubber mixtures  as geotechnical seismic isolation for lightweight residential structures 

2. Angela Fiamingo  (Italy; PhD 2024),  University of Catania, Italy - (Supervisory Team:  Rossella Massimino, Glenda Abbate & Gabriele Chiaro); Thesis:  An eco-sustainable geotechnical seismic isolation system in dynamic soil-structure interaction 

3. Ernesto Hernandez (Nicaragua; PhD 2024), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Alessandro Palermo, Gabriele Chiaro & Allan Scott); Thesis: Seismic behaviour of rubberized concrete columns

4. 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

5. Abilash Pokhrel (Nepal; PhD 2023), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Gabriele Chiaro, Misko Cubrinovski, Takashi Kiyota & Reiko Kuwano); Thesis: Geotechnical characterisation and liquefaction potential of sand - gravel mixtures

6. 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 

7. 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 

8. 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 

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

1. Sneha Madathiparambil Paul  (India, MEng 2024), University of L'Aquila, Italy - (Supervisory team: Anna Chiaradonna & Gabriele Chiaro); Thesis: Experimental investigation and modeling of the cyclic and dynamic behavior of soil-rubber mixtures for innovative applications in geotechnical earthquake engineering  

2. 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 

3. Kevin Chew (Malesia; MEng 2021), University of Canterbury - (Supervisory Team: Gabriele Chiaro, Ali Tasalloti & Jayad S. Vinod, University of Wollongong); Thesis: The mechanical behaviour of gravel-rubber mixtures: insights from DEM numerical investigations 

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

1. Sofia Gorosito (Argentina; MEngSt 2025), University of Canterbury - Research Project: The 2020 and 2021 rain-induced landslides in the Marlborough region: insights from field surveys, data analyses and numerical modeling 

2. Anjo Joseph (India; MEngSt 2025), University of Canterbury - Research Project: Liquefaction characteristics of calcareous and coral sands: literature review and laboratory investigations

3. Raviraj Revansidh Swami (India; MEngSt 2023), University of Canterbury - Research Project: Seismic performance of eco-rubber geotechnical seismic isolation (ERGSI) system: numerical study

4. 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

5. Adinda Chaerany (Indonesia; MEngSt 2019), University of Canterbury - Research Project: Shake table testing of eco-rubber soil foundation systems 

6. Arjun  Murali (India; MEngSt 2019), University of Canterbury - Research Project: Strength properties of gravel-tyre rubber mixtures 

Bachelor Thesis Students

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 (University of Canterbury)

1. Gerald Teong (2024-25) - Experimental evaluation of ageing effect on the shear strength characteristics of gravel-rubber mixtures

2. Jiayi (Ada) Cen (2024-25) - Experimental evaluation of ageing effect on the shear strength characteristics of gravel-rubber mixtures

3. Stella Liu (2023) - Geotechnical characterisation of large-size gravel-rubber mixtures - AP10

4. Jingyi (Stella) Liu (2021-22) - Geotechnical characterisation of large-size gravel-rubber mixtures 

5. Hasara Ranchagoda (2019-20) Project GCH1902SU-1

6. Angela Robinson (2019-20) Project GCH1902SU-2

UG Final Year Research Project Students (University of Canterbury)

1. Jess Cotton (2024) - Bearing capacity of footings placed on gravel-rubber mixtures - Project (GCH 2403-1) - (Best Presentation Award; Best Paper Award; Best Poster award - 2nd place)

2. Nicola Clayton (2024) - Bearing capacity of footings placed on gravel-rubber mixtures - Project (GCH 2403-2) - (Best Paper Award; Best Poster award - 2nd place)

3. Vincent von Mulert-Carvell (2024) - Shear strength characteristics of gravel-plastic-rubber mixtures - Project (GCH 2401-1)

4. Isaac Williams (2024) - Shear strength characteristics of gravel-plastic-rubber mixtures - Project (GCH 2401-2)

5. Joe Barendrecht (2024) - One-dimensional compression characteristics of gravel-plastic-rubber mixtures - Project (GCH 2402-1)

6. Caleb Cottom (2024) - One-dimensional compression characteristics of gravel-plastic-rubber mixtures - Project (GCH 2402-2)

7. Claudia Enderby (2024) - Critical state characteristics of sand-gravel mixtures - Project (GCH 2404-1)

8. Mitchell Davies (2024) - Critical state characteristics of sand-gravel mixtures - Project (GCH 2404-2)

9. Jiayi (Ada) Cen (2024) - Estimating bearing capacity of gravelly soils from Dynamic Penetration Test (DPT) - Project (GCH 2406-1)

10. Zhaoqi (Kaylee) Wu (2024) - Estimating bearing capacity of gravelly soils from Dynamic Penetration Test (DPT) - Project (GCH 2406-2)

11. Ken Yonamine (2023) - One-dimensional compression characteristics of gravel-glass-rubber mixtures - Project GCH2303-1

12. Jiangze Chai (2023) - One-dimensional compression characteristics of gravel-glass-rubber mixtures - Project GCH2303-2

13. Giselle Dousti (2023) - Reducing CO2 emission in sustainable geotechnical applications - Project GCH2302-1

14. Grace Waller (2023) - Reducing CO2 emission in sustainable geotechnical applications - Project GCH2302-2

15. Selina Ripley (2023) - Shear strength characteristics of gravel-glass-rubber mixtures  - Project GCH2301-1

16. Jaxon Taylor (2023) - Seismic performance of residential buildings placed on geotechnical seismic isolation systems - Project GCH2305-1

17. Jacob Murdoch (2023) - Seismic performance of residential buildings placed on geotechnical seismic isolation systems - Project GCH2305-2

18. 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)

19. Logan Goldingham (2022) - Physical and mechanical properties of gravel-recycled glass-recycled rubber mixtures - Project GCH2201-2 - (NZGS Poster Award: 2nd Place)

20. Clayton Freeman (2022) - Seismic stability analyses of rigid retaining walls with light-weight gravel-rubber backfills  - Project GCH2203-1

21. Conor Campbell (2022) - Seismic stability analyses of rigid retaining walls with light-weight gravel-rubber backfills  - Project GCH2203-2

22. David Thoo (2020). Leaching characteristics of gravel-tyre mixtures - Project GCH2001-1

23. Sara Whibley (2020). Leaching characteristics of gravel-tyre mixtures - Project GCH2001-2

24. 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)

25. 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)

26. Billy Uriah (2020). Compaction properties of gravelly soils -Project GCH2004-1

27. Callum Nish (2020). Compaction properties of gravelly soils - Project GCH2004-2

28. Sarifah Abd Rahman (2020). Design and analyses of gravity-cantilever retaining walls backfilled with a lightweight material - Project GCH2005-1

29. Tasha Tan (2020). Design and analyses of gravity-cantilever retaining walls backfilled with a lightweight material - Project GCH2005-2

30. Maysen Bloemen (2019). 1-D compression properties of gravel-granulated tyre rubber mixtures - Project GCH1901-1

31. Ryan Thom (2019). 1-D compression properties of gravel-granulated tyre rubber mixtures - Project GCH1901-2

32. 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)

33. 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)

34. Connor Hopkins (2019). Compaction characteristics of gravel-rubber and sand-rubber mixtures - Project GCH1903-1

35. John Darwin (2019). Compaction characteristics of gravel-rubber and sand-rubber mixtures - Project GCH1903-2

36. Sam Hooper (2019). Compaction characteristics of gravel-rubber and sand-rubber mixtures - Project GCH1904-1

37. Niall Kearney (2019). Shear strength of gravel-rubber mixture in a triaxial apparatus - Project GCH1904-2

38. David Rothe (2019). Compression strength of pressed earth blocks - Project GCH1905-1

39. Dean Aspin (2019). Compression strength of pressed earth blocks - Project GCH1905-2

40. Youri Lee (2018). Guidelines for use of volcanic ash in seashore reclamation - Project GCH1806-1

41. Martina Junca (2018). Guidelines for use of volcanic ash in seashore reclamation - Project GCH1806-2

42. Peter Lee (2018). Geotechnical properties of Auckland granular volcanic soils - Project GCH1801-1

43. Dominic Loh (2018). Geotechnical properties of Auckland granular volcanic soils - Project GCH1801-2

44. Hamish Paice (2018). Geotechnical properties of Wellington gravel reclamation deposits - Project GCH1802-1

45. James Kynaston (2018). Geotechnical properties of Wellington gravel reclamation deposits - Project GCH1802-2 (CNRE FYP Presentation Award: 1st Place)

46. Oliver J. Parris-Piper (2017). Excess pore water pressure characteristics of sands - Project GCH1701-1

47. Jonathan J. Webb (2017). Excess pore water pressure characteristics of sands - Project GCH1701-2

48. Joon-Su Kim (2017). Numerical simulation of the earthquake-induced Takanodai landslide, Kumamoto, Japan - Project GCH1702-1

49. Kevin S.Y. Chew (2017). Numerical simulation of the earthquake-induced Takanodai landslide, Kumamoto, Japan - Project GCH1702-2

50. Ralph Kile (2017). Geotechnical properties of kaolin-tyre chips mixtures - Project GCH1703-1

51. Newton Maeriua (2017). Geotechnical properties of kaolin-tyre chips mixtures - Project GCH1703-2

52. Alvin Yang (2017). Shear strength of gravel-tyre chips mixtures - Project GCH1705-1

53. Paionia Langilangi (2017). Shear strength of gravel-tyre chips mixtures - Project GCH1705-2

54. Oliver Fleischl (2016). Recycling and reuse of granular waste in New Zealand - Project GCH1601-1

55. Stewart Hancock (2016). Recycling and reuse of granular waste in New Zealand  - Project GCH1601-2

56. Nathan J. Hanlon (2016). Strength properties of sand-tyre chips mixtures evaluated by direct shear tests - Project GCH1604-1

57. Jack M. Martin (2016). Strength properties of sand-tyre chips mixtures evaluated by direct shear tests - Project GCH1604-2

58. Peter Druce (2016). Reuse of crushed concrete aggregates as a suitable geo-construction material - Project GCH1602-1

59. Aaron King (2016). Reuse of crushed concrete aggregates as a suitable geo-construction material - Project GCH1602-2

60. Callum J. Stone (2016). Development of a small-scale physical model for liquefaction evaluation - Project GCH1605-1

61. Thomas W. Lau (2016). Development of a small-scale physical model for liquefaction evaluation - Project GCH1605-2

62. Andrew Maeribu (2016). Implementation and validation of a cyclic model for liquefiable sands - Project GCH1603-1

63. Madi Kwalea (2016). Implementation and validation of a cyclic model for liquefiable sands - Project GCH1603-2