• Analyze geotechnical properties of soils in laboratory. Analyses included: water content, Atterberg Limits (liquid and plastic limits), specific gravity, grain size distribution (sieve and hydrometer analysis), standard compaction, permeability, consolidation and direct shear.

• Analyze geomechanical properties of rocks in laboratory. Analyses included: uniaxial and triaxial compression, direct shear and indirect tension (Brazilian).

• Conduct in-situ analyses of soil properties in building foundation work, sewer lines, highway design and earthen dams in Colorado (Denver metro area) and Texas (Carlos, Dallas and Midland).

• Investigate potential of slope and avalanche failure along a proposed highway near Ogden, Utah.

• Assess an area for a cyanide heap leaching pad in southwestern Nevada. Analyze soils, conduct in-situ permeability tests, grain size distribution and compaction tests.

• Examine the grain size distribution, the angularity of the grains, and mineral composition of the backfill material along sewer lines installed at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in 1942; to determine the source of backfill material, and if prescribed and recommended practices were followed during construction.

• Conduct geotechnical survey of a proposed hydroelectric plant site along the Shoshone River near Powell, Wyoming.

• Research the effects of high temperature (816°C) underground storage tanks on varying soil types for Kenneth C. Ko & Associates, Inc. under a contract with Sandia National Laboratories. The results were published in SAND 81-8191; U.S. Department of Energy, 1981, Effects of hot storage tanks on soils.

• Assist in conducting laboratory rock mechanic studies (uniaxial and triaxial compressive strength tests). Determine unconfined shear strength (cohesion) and Young's Modulus from tests. Conduct point load index and indirect tensile strength (Brazilian) tests.

Rock Mechanics
Testing

Finite Element
Analysis

• Assist in determining load bearing capacity and the effects of depth on pillar strengths to aid in the design of underground pillars in coal mines (Valley Camp of Utah - Belina 1 & 2, Utah Fuels - Skyline Mine, Castlegate Coal Co. and at the U-2 mine in South Korea), trona mine (Wyoming), and of an experimental oil shale retort facility/mine (Colorado).

• Analyze subsurface subsidence at the Belina 1 coal mine, by using methods developed by the National Coal Board (Great Britian). Assess effects of subsidence on adjacent surface structures and utilities (power line and gas line).

• Evaluate the factor of safety associated with the slope of a coal waste pile in an open pit coal mine in Durango, Colorado.

• Assist in assessing a means of sinking a shaft below the Shannon Sandstone of the Teapot Dome area in Wyoming to drain the high viscous oil from the reservoir.