I have been a Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at the James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, since October 2022. I am part of the Division of Infrastructure and Environment, and a member of the Glasgow Computational Engineering Centre (GCEC).

Academic qualifications

• 2013-2018: PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (UK). PhD Thesis: “Particle-scale mechanisms controlling the response of granular and clayey geomaterials at very small strains”
• 2011-2013: Master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering (first class with honours), Universita’ di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples (Italy)
• 2007-2010: Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering (first class with honours), Universita’ di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples (Italy)

Employment

• 2022-current: Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow (UK)
• 2019-2022: Postdoctoral Research Associate on EPSRC Consortium “TRANSCEND: Transformative Science and Engineering for Nuclear Decommissioning”. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (UK)
• 2018-2019: Postdoctoral Research Associate, “Grouting of well leakage pathways: bio-grouting and colloidal silica”. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (UK)
• 2017-2018: Research Assistant on UKRI project “DETECTAGROUT”. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (UK)

My research area is numerical and experimental geomechanics, with a focus on the fundamental understanding of the link between the macroscopic behaviour of soils and the underlying particle-scale processes.

Although it is widely acknowledged that the macroscopic response of geomaterials depends on the mechanisms occurring at smaller scales, the particle-scale mechanisms controlling some of the most peculiar responses of soils are ignored, particularly in clays (e.g. plastic component of deformation, inherent and induced anisotropy, shear strain localisation). Understanding these mechanisms is of crucial importance for the case of environmental loading. These include thermal loading, relevant to engineered geological barriers for radioactive waste disposal (eg. swelling clays), and for the interaction between energy geo-structures and the surrounding ground for renewable energy production; and chemical loading (pore-water chemistry effect), relevant to clay barriers as liners and capping materials for landfill sites, to isolate landfill leachate and pollution.

My research aims at integrating numerical modelling at the particle scale (such as DEM) and multiscale experimental investigation (MIP, AFM, FIB-SEM, nano-CT imaging) to elucidate particle-scale coupled processes occurring in geomaterials, to address current geo-environmental challenges in various contexts. I am also interested in the development of innovative and environmentally friendly grouting technologies, such as colloidal silica grouts, to be deployed as hydraulic barriers, treatments to improve the mechanical characteristics of soils and/or fractured rocks and cement, and as materials for the temporary encapsulation and immobilisation of various types on contaminants (including nuclear waste).

List by: Type | Date

• Nithy, Rabaya Khair. Experimental investigation into the particle-scale mechanisms controlling the anisotropic behaviour of fine-grained geomaterials (1st supervisor).
• Mutahi, Nicholas (University of Strathclyde). Meeting future net-zero carbon energy needs: Improved borehole sealing using compacted bentonite and silica grout (2nd supervisor).

• Nithy, Rabaya Khair
  Experimental investigation into the particle-scale mechanisms controlling the anisotropic behaviour of fine-grained geomaterials

• ENG3073: Geotechnical Engineering 3 (BEng/MEng). Contents include: soil 1D consolidation; drained/undrained analysis; critical state soil mechanics; slope stability; retaining walls; shallow foundations.
• ENG3076: Civil Design Projects 3 (BEng/MEng). I deliver part of the course, related to geotechnical design (railway platform extension and embankment stabilisation using knowledge from Geotechnical Engineering 3).