Dr. Dashti's research encompasses three themes: (1) performance-based evaluation and mitigation of ground failure under compound climatic and non-climatic (e.g., earthquake) stressors; (2) seismic performance of shallow underground structures; and (3) intersection of resilience, environmental sustainability, and justice. Each theme requires the development of state-of-the-art experimental and simulation models and probabilistic assessment techniques to quantify the risk of damage and propose reliable remediation strategies. It also requires transdisciplinary and trans-epistemic approaches to research that not only prioritize mechanistic engineering performance but also consider environmental impact and prioritize communities that are often most heavily impacted and overburdened by climatic and non-climatic hazards. Dr. Dashti's team distinguishes itself by its emphasis on fundamental research that has important practical implications for practicing engineers and policy makers globally. In her recent work and the interdisciplinary research theme (IRT) that she leads in the college of engineering (titled RISE), she also aims to highlight existing strengths within the college and campus and enable team formation and research opportunities that focus on complex problems facing our infrastructure and communities in a changing climate.
keywords
physical and numerical modeling, performance based design of soil-structure systems, resilience of geotechnical infrastructure, underground structures, seismic soil-structure-interaction, liquefaction mitigation in urban environments, earthquake reconnaissance, hazards engineering, impacts of climate change on infrastructure, intersection of infrastructure resilience, environmental sustainability, environmental justice
CVEN 3708 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2024
Covers basic engineering characteristics of geological materials; soil and rock classifications; site investigation; physical, mechanical, and hydraulic properties of geologic materials; the effective stress principle; soil and rock improvement; seepage analysis; stress distribution; and consolidation and settlement analyses. Selected experimental and computational laboratories.
CVEN 3718 - Geotechnical Engineering 2
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019
Covers stress analysis and plastic equilibrium, sheer strength of soil, bearing capacity, lateral earth pressures, slope stability and underground construction. Analysis and design of shallow and deep foundations, retaining walls and other earth and rock structures. Selected experimental and computational laboratories.
CVEN 4899 - Civil Engineering Senior Project Design
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2024
Provides a simulated real world design and construction planning experience where teams integrate across multiple civil engineering sub-disciplines to create a solution that satisfies multiple constraints, including design, client requirements, budget, schedule, technical, regulatory, and societal. Final deliverables include: detailed design drawings, specifications, cost estimate, project schedule, construction plan, oral and written presentation.
CVEN 5818 - Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Familiarizes students with the fundamentals of engineering seismology, soil and structural dynamics, and the modern practice of geotechnical earthquake engineering. Focuses on describing earthquake hazards and methods for seismic analysis and design. Recommended prerequisite: CVEN 5798.
