Alister Smith, Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at Loughborough University, will work with Network Rail and Arup to address the growing challenge of the UK’s ageing earthwork infrastructure in the face of extreme weather.
Currently, Professor Smith's research focuses on monitoring and predicting soil and geotechnical system behaviour through laboratory experimentation, field monitoring and computational modelling.
This new award will also focus on improving understanding of weather-driven deterioration and failure of earthworks, engineered slopes created by cutting into or building up soil to support transport infrastructure and provide flood protection.
It will also seek to develop predictive tools and intervention strategies needed to deliver climate-resilient earthworks.
Funded by the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), the Academy’s Research Chairs and Senior Research Fellowships scheme supports engineering academics to lead ambitious, applied research in collaboration with an industrial partner.
Each of the five selected researchers will build a world-leading research group focused on translating their cutting-edge engineering research into impact.
From designing assistive robots for future healthcare to scaling graphene quantum electronic devices, the partnerships cover a wide range of engineering research.
Professor Smith, who is also the Director of the National Engineered Slope Simulator (NESS) facility at Loughborough University, said of the award: "I’m delighted to have this opportunity to work with our excellent team at Loughborough University and colleagues at Network Rail and Arup to create innovative solutions for climate-resilient earthworks. This research will help us better understand how earthworks respond to a changing climate and support the development of more resilient infrastructure."
More information about the appointed awardees and their research can be found on the research awardees page.