Dr. Arun J. Valsangkar, P.Eng.

Dr. Arun Valsangkar

Dr. A. J. Valsangkar, P.Eng., FEC, FCSCE, FEIC
Honorary Research Professor
BE, ME, PhD
Speciality: Soil Structure Interaction, Centrifuge Modelling  Office: Head Hall, HC-5
Tel: (506) 453-5123
Fax: (506) 453-3568
Email: valsngkr@unb.ca 

 

Dr. Valsangkar has over 40 years of combined experience in teaching, research and consulting. His research and consulting has been mainly in the area of soil-structure interaction. He has more than 100 publications in refereed journals and conferences in the following areas:

• Deep foundations
• Performance of prototype structures
• Centrifuge modelling
• Buried flexible and rigid pipes
• Lightweight aggregate geotechnics
• Geotechnics of municipal solid waste
• Limit States & reliability based design of retaining structures

His research activities have been funded by NSERC Operating Grants, NSERC Strategic Grant, New Brunswick Department of Transportation, Solite Corporation, and Jacques, Whitford & Associates Ltd.

He is a Senior Geotechnical Consultant with Stantec (formerly Jacques Whitford) and has been with the firm for the last 34 years. He has served as a Senior Engineer on a number of national and international projects.

He served as Editor of the Canadian Geotechnical Journal from 2002 to 2007 and as an Associate Editor from 1992-2002. The Journal is published by the NRC Press and is one of the three leading journals in the field of geotechnique.


AWARDS

  • 2012: Casimir Gzowski Medal, Honorable Mention, Canadian Society of Civil Engineering (with B. McGuigan)
  • 2009: RM Quigley Award (Honorable Mention) , Canadian Geotechnical Society (with R. MacAfee)
  • 2009: RM Hardy Keynote Address, Canadian Geotechnical Society
  • 2009: Fellow, Engineers Canada, Canadian Council of Professional Engineers.
  • 2008: John B. Sterling Medal, Engineering Institute of Canada
  • 2007: Stermac Award for outstanding service to the Society, Canadian Geotechnical Society,
  • 2007: By-Fellow, Churchill College, Cambridge University, U.K., Michalmas Term.
  • 2007: Merit Award University of New Brunswick
  • 2006: Eric Garland Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of New Brunswick, Dept. of Civil Engineering,
  • 2005: Fellow, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
  • 2004: American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE/COPRI OTC 2004 Best Paper Award for Outstanding Contribution to our Knowledge of Offshore Infrastructure Systems (with Doyle, Dean, Sharma, Bolton and Newlin)
  • 2003: Geoffrey Meyerhof Award for Outstanding and Exceptional Contributions to the Art and Science of Foundation Engineering, Canadian Geotechnical Society.
  • 1998: R.M. Quigley Award for the Best Paper in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal in 1997 (with Munro, MacQuarrie & Kan),  Canadian Geotechnical Society.
  • 1998: Elected Fellow, Engineering Institute of Canada
  • 1998: Elected By-Fellow, Churchill College, Cambridge University, U.K. (May-Dec. 1998)
  • 1996: Honorable Mention, R.M. Quigley Award, Runner up for the Best Paper in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal in 1995 (with Rowe, Gnanendran and Landva), Canadian Geotechnical Society.
  • 1992: Merit Award, University of New Brunswick
  • 1987: Associate Member Fellowship, Darwin College, Cambridge University, U.K. (Fall Term)
  • 1985: Dr. A.P. Stuart Award of Excellence in Teaching (This is the most prestigious Teaching Award at U.N.B.), University of New Brunswick.


RECENT PUBLICATIONS (2001-2011)

(A) Refereed Journals:

  1. Oshati, O.S., Valsangkar,  A.J., and Schriver, A.B. (2012).  "Performance of Two Cast-in-Place Culverts Under High Embankments," Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 49, No. 12.
  2. Oshati, O.S., Valsangkar, A.J., and Schriver, A.B. (2012). "Earth Pressures Exerted on an Induced Trench Cast-in-Place Double-cell Rectangular Box Culvert," Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 49, No. 11, pp 1267-1284.
  3. McGuigan, B.L. and Valsangkar, A.J. (2011). "Field Monitoring and Analysis of Twin 366o mm Inside Diameter Induced Transfer Culverts Installed Under 21.7m of Fill." Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 781-794.
  4. McGuigan, B.L. and Valsangkar, A.J. (2011). "Earth Pressures on Twin Positive Projecting and Induced Trench Box Culverts Under High Embankments." Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp 173-185.
  5. McGuigan, B.L. and Valsangkar, A.J. (2010). "Centrifuge Testing and Numerical Modeling of Box Culverts Installed in Induced Trench,". Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp 147-163.
  6. Barrett, J. and Valsangkar, A. J. (2009): "Effectiveness of Connections in Geofoam Block Construction", Geotextiles and Geomembranes, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 211 - 216.
  7. McAffee, R.P., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2008). Field Performance, CentrifugeTesting, and Numerical Modelling of an Induced Trench Installation. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 85 - 101.
  8. Parker, B.A., McAffee, R.P., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2008). Field Performance and Analysis of a 3-Om Diameter Induced Trench Culvert under 19.4m High Soil Cover, Journal of Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Record, No. 2045, pp. 68-76.
  9. Dunham, L., Valsangkar, A.J., and Schriver, A.B. (2005), "Centrifuge Modelling of Rigid Square Footings on Weak Jointed Rock", Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM, Vol. 28, No. 2, March, pp. 133-143.
  10. McAffee, R.P., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2005), "Performance of an Induced Trench Installation", Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Record, No. 1936, pp. 230-237.
  11. McAffee, R.P., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2004), "Geotechnical Properties of Compressible Materials Used for Induced Trench Construction", Journal of Testing & Evaluation, ASTM, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 143-152.
  12. Brown, R., Valsangkar, A.J., and Schriver, A.B. (2004), "Centrifuge Modeling of Surface Footings on Sand Layer Underlain by a Rigid Base", Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp.187-196, Kluwer Publication. 
  13. Lin, S., Bischoff, P.H., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2003), "Pre- and Post-cracking Behaviour of Fibre Reinforced Concrete Beams on Grade", International Journal of Physical Modeling in Geotechnics, Vol. 3, No. 1, March, pp. 19-30.
  14. Bischoff, P.H., Valsangkar, A.J., and Irving, J. (2003), "Use of Fibers and Welded Wire Reinforcement in Construction of Slabs on Ground", Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction, ASCE, Vol. 8, No. 1, February, pp. 41-46.
  15. DeMerchant, M., Valsangkar, A.J., and Schriver, A.B. (2002), "Plate Load Tests on Geogrid Reinforced Expanded Shale Lightweight Aggregates",Geotextiles and Geomembranes, Vol. 20, No. 3, July, pp. 173-190.
  16. Take, A.W., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2001), "Earth Pressures on Unyielding Retaining Walls of Narrow Backfill Width", Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 38, No. 6, December, pp. 1220-1230.
  17. Rowe, R.K., Gnanendran, C.T., Valsangkar, A.J., and Landva, A.O. (2001), "Performance of a Test Embankment Constructed on Organic Clayey Silt Deposit", Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 38, No. 6, December, pp. 1283-1296.
  18. Pelkey, S.A., Valsangkar, A.J., and Landva, A.O. (2001), "Shear Displacement Dependent Strength of Municipal Solid Waste and its Major Constituent", Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM, Vol. 24, No. 4, December, pp. 381-390.
  19. Schriver, A.B., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2001), "Limit States and Factor of Safety in the Design of Anchored Sheet Pile Walls", Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Record, 1772, January, pp. 122-127.

(B) Refereed Conferences:

  1. McAfee, R. P., Take, A.W., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2011), "Observed Soil Displacements Above Rigid Culverts," Proceedings, 2011 Pan-Am CGS Geotechnical Conference, Toronto.
  2. Valsangkar, A.J. (2009), "Soil Structures Interaction Studies: Research and Practice," R.M. Hardy Address, Proceedings 62nd Canadian Geotechnical Conference, Halifax, September.
  3. McAffee, R.P. and Valsangkar, A.J. (2009), "Geotechnical Issues During Construction of Athletic Center at UNB in Fredericton, N.B.", Proceedings 62nd Canadian Geotechnical Conference, Halifax, September.
  4. Huntley, S.A. and Valsangkar, A.J. (2008) "Soil Deformation Behind an Integral Abutment Bridge". Proceedings of the 2nd BGA International Conference, Scotland, 2008.
  5. Hansen, P., Miller, L.L., Valsangkar, A.J., McLeod, T. and Bourque, S. (2007) Performance of Induced Trench Culverts in New Brunswick. Proceedings, TAC 2007. Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
  6. McAffee, R.P., Take, W.A., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2006) "Soil Displacements observed above an Induced Trench Culvert", Proceedings of the Sixth International Physical Modeling in Geotechnic, Vol. 2, pp. 1279-1284.
  7. Doyle, E.H., Dean, E.T.R., Sharma, J.S., Bolton, M.D., Valsangkar, A.J., and Newlin, J.S. (2004), "Centrifuge Model Tests on Anchor Piles for Tension Leg Platform", Off-Shore Technology Conference, May 2004, Houston, Texas. 
  8. Levesque, C.L., Wheaton, D.E., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2003), "Centrifuge Modelling of Helical Anchors in Sand", Proceedings, 12th Panamerican Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Boston, USA, Vol. 2, pp. 1859-1864.

(C) Invited Contribution:

  1. Gnanendran, C.T., Valsangkar, A.J., and Rowe, R.K. (2005), "Case Histories of Embankments on Soft Soils and Stabilization with Geosynthetics: Canadian Experience", Chapter in "Ground Improvements Case Histories" published by Elsevier Publishing, Editors: Indraratra and Chu.

(D) Extended Abstracts:

  1. McAffee, R., Bleakney, M., and Valsangkar, A.J. (2003), "Liquefaction Mitigation Measures, Quisibis River Bridge, N.B.", Geohazard Conference, Edmonton, Alberta, pp. 132.

(E) Non-Refereed Technical Reports:

  1. Valsangkar, A.J. (2007), "Report on Laboratory Testing of Welds Used in Steel Culvert Rehabilitation". Report Submitted to N.B. Dept. of Transportation, pp. 12.

Full List of Publications

Recent Graduate Students:

  1. Alderman, A. (2012), "Field Testing of the Rehabilitated Kelly Creek No. 2 Corrugated Steel Culvert", M. Eng Report (Co-Supervisor Dr. Eldo Hildebrand)
  2. Oshati, S.O. (2011), "Soil-Structures Interaction of Rigid Cast-in-place Box Culverts Under High Embankments", MScE Thesis (Co-Supervisor: Dr. A.B. Schriver)
  3. Thompson, A. (2011), "Soil-Structure Interaction of Fibre Reinforced Concrete Beams-on-Grade: Post Cracking Analysis", MScE Thesis (Co-Supervisor: Dr. A.B. Schriver)
  4. *McGuigan, B.L. (2010). "Earth Pressures and Loads on Induced Trench Culverts", Ph.D. Thesis (Co-Supervisor: Dr. A.B. Schriver)
  5. *McLaggan, D. (2010). "Cyclic Loading of H-Piles Used for Construction of Integral Abutment Bridges", M.Sc.E Thesis (Co-Supervisor P.H. Bischoff).
  6. *Huntley, S. (2009), "Field Performance and Evaluation of an Integral Abutement Bridge", Ph.D. Thesis.
  7. Barrett, J. (2008), "Effectiveness of Connectors in Geofoam Block Construction," M.Sc.E. Thesis
  8. Parker, B. (2007), "Instrumentation and Monitoring of Peter Smith Brook Induced Trench Culvert," M. Eng. Report.
  9. McLaggan, S. (2006), "Physical and Numerical Modelling of Negative Projecting Box Culverts," M.Sc.E. Thesis.
  10. Briggs, M. (2006), "Soil Structure Interaction of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete Beams on Grade", M.Sc.E. Thesis.
  11. *McAffee, R. (2005), "Soil Structure Interaction in Rigid Culverts Installed in Induced Trenches", Ph.D. Thesis.
  12. Sparkes, J. (2004), "Geotechnical Properties of Tire Chips Mixed with Lightweight Aggregate", M.Sc.E. Thesis.
  13. Brown, R. (2003), "Centrifuge Modeling of Rigid Footings on a Sand Layer Underlain by a Rigid Boundary", M.Sc.E. Thesis (Co-supervisor: Dr. A.B. Schriver).
  14. MacLeod, T. (2003), "Earth Pressures Around Induced Trench Installations", M.Sc.E. Thesis.
  15. Gomes, J. (2002), "Physical Modeling of Piled Embankments on Soft Soils", M.Sc.E. Thesis (Co-supervisor: Dr. A.B. Schriver).
  16. *Bourque, S. (2002), "Centrifuge and Numerical Modelling of Induced Trench Twin Conduits", M.Sc.E. Thesis.
  17. *Barchard, J. (2002), "Centrifuge Modeling of Piled Embankments on Soft Soils", M.Sc.E. Thesis.
  18. Levesque, C. (2002), "Centrifuge Modelling of Helical Anchors in Sand", M.Sc.E. Thesis.
  19. Lin, S. (2001), "Soil Structure Interaction of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams and Slabs on Grade", M.Sc.E. Thesis (Co-supervisor: Dr. P.H. Bischoff).
  20. DeMerchant, M. (2001), "Subgrade Modulus of Geogrid Reinforced Lightweight Aggregate", M.Eng. Report (Co-supervisor: Dr. A.B. Schriver).

*NSERC PGA Scholars