Geotechnical and transportation engineering research at Washington State University merges geotechnics and pavement mechanics to provide solutions to infrastructure problems.
The geotechnical engineering research program encompasses both traditional and emerging topics in the fields of geomechanics and geology and focuses on the behavior of natural materials in engineered systems. This active program involves fundamental and applied research using analytical, numerical, and experimental methods.
The pavement engineering research program focuses on developing innovative, economical, and reliable technologies for highway and airport pavements. It involves characterizing and modeling the entire pavement structure from surface to base course and incorporating various paving materials including asphalt material, concrete material, aggregates, recycled materials, and subgrade soils. Emphasis is given to both fundamental theories and practical applications in design, construction, and rehabilitation of the transportation infrastructure.
Geotechnical and transportation engineering research programs have been supported by funds from the National Science Foundation, US Geological Survey, US Department of Transportation (DOT), Washington State DOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), US Department of Energy, and private industries.
Research areas include:
- Microstructure characterization and modeling of geomaterials
- X-ray computed tomography (WACXIT)
- Constitutive and micromechanical modeling
- Natural and man-made hazard mitigation
- Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
- Sustainable materials and construction
- Characterization and modeling of paving materials
- Pavement design and structural analysis
- Pavement evaluation and rehabilitation
- Engineering Education
Facilities
The Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering laboratories include state-of-the-art testing equipment for soils and concretes. The Geotechnical Lab includes consolidometers, triaxial, direct shear and resonant column apparatuses. The Washington Center for Asphalt Technology (WCAT) includes facilities for the characterization of asphalt cements and concretes. In addition, a mobile drill rig is available for obtaining in-situ samples.
Affiliated Centers and Labs
Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory
Educates engineering professionals and students and enables novel solutions for sustainable infrastructure in collaboration with academic and industry partners.
Washington Center for Asphalt Technology (WCAT)
Developing innovative, economical, and reliable technologies for highway and airport pavements.