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Fred Kulhawy

263 Hollister Hall
255-4820
fhk1@cornell.edu

Research

"Our work on site evaluation and foundations is a broad-based, long-range study that seeks to improve engineering practice in the analysis and design of foundations for structures, with particular emphasis on transmission line and tower structures and secondary emphases on transportation and building structures. The research program is multi-faceted and includes numerical modeling, reliability analyses, large-scale laboratory tests, and full-scale field-test evaluations.

The numerical modeling concentrates on general, three-dimensional finite-element modeling of the entire loading and stress history of a foundation, from initial construction through complex repeated loading modes. Probability and statistics theory is being used in reliability analyses to address the issues of in-situ site characterization and reliability-based design procedures. The laboratory testing includes prepared and controlled soil deposits in large-scale test pits, in which full construction simulation is being maintained, and complex static and repeated-loading modes are being employed to simulate field loading conditions. To standardize data and correctly assess the results of full-scale load tests, more rational procedures have been developed for conducting these tests and interpreting the results. Field testing also is in progress when possible. Work to date has incorporated anchors, spread foundations, drilled and augered shafts, driven piles, micropiles, and piled rafts.

Newer directions being pursued are the concepts, theories, and rationale of civil engineering design, in an effort to put geotechnical engineering design on a more rational and consistent basis."

In addition, we have pursued various wave-sediment-structure interaction problems over the years to improve the geotechnical and hydraulic design of coastal and marine structures.