Mr. Clarence Butcher | Geotechnical | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Clarence Butcher | Geotechnical | Best Researcher Award

University of Newcastle, Australia

Clarence John Butcher is a dedicated researcher in Geotechnical Engineering, specializing in Rock Mechanics. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Newcastle, Australia, focusing on the application of StADSS to large in-situ rock discontinuities. With a strong academic background and several impactful publications, Clarence has contributed significantly to understanding rock stability and discontinuity shear strength. His work involves innovative techniques such as high-resolution imaging and in-situ shear strength testing, paving the way for advancements in geotechnical engineering.

Publication Profile

🎓 Education

Clarence earned his Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) from the University of Newcastle in 2020, graduating with Class 2 Division 1 Honours. Recognized for his academic excellence, he was placed on the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment commendation list. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, where he is developing new methodologies to assess rock discontinuities’ stability and shear strength.

💼 Experience

With five years of experience, Clarence has been involved in various geotechnical engineering projects, including research on rock discontinuity roughness, shear strength modeling, and full-scale in-situ testing. His expertise extends to software development for rock trace digitization, experimental validation of shear models, and conference presentations on geomechanics. His research has provided practical solutions for assessing rock stability in construction and mining industries.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Clarence’s academic excellence has been acknowledged through prestigious awards, including the Douglas Partners Prize for Applied Geotechnics (2019). His contributions to geotechnical research have been recognized in international conferences and peer-reviewed journals, solidifying his reputation as an emerging expert in rock mechanics.

🔬 Research Focus

Clarence’s research revolves around slope stability, rock discontinuity roughness, and stochastic shear strength modeling. His pioneering work includes the development of digitization techniques for rock traces, experimental validation of shear models, and full-scale in-situ pull tests. His studies aim to bridge the gap between theoretical geomechanics and practical engineering applications, enhancing safety and efficiency in rock engineering projects.

Conclusion

Clarence Butcher is a promising researcher in Geotechnical Engineering, with expertise in rock mechanics, slope stability, and discontinuity shear strength analysis. His research has led to practical advancements in predicting rock stability, significantly impacting civil and mining engineering applications. Through his publications, experimental studies, and technological innovations, Clarence is making remarkable contributions to the field of geomechanics, setting the stage for future breakthroughs in rock engineering. 🚀

📚 Publications

 Capturing the roughness of discontinuity traces in the field with high accuracy: the effect of photograph resolution. Proceedings of the ISRM 15th International Congress on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering & 72nd Geomechanics Colloquium.

Influence of Roughness Digitisation Error on Predictions of Discontinuity Shear Strength. Remote Sensing, 17(4), 599.

Shear Strength of a Large Limestone Discontinuity: In Situ Pull Test and Prediction. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering.

Influence of Rock Strength Variability on the Stability of Potential Planar and Wedge Discontinuity Shear Failures. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics (ICTG) 2024, Volume 2, Singapore.

Sensitivity analysis of a new model to predict the survival probability of artificial rock blocks upon dynamic impact. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.

The effect of impact angle and bond strength on fragmentation in laminated materials. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.