Dr. Hem Bahadur Motra | Rock Mechanics| Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Hem Bahadur Motra | Rock Mechanics| Excellence in Research Award

University of Kiel | Germany

Dr. Hem Bahadur Motra is a distinguished researcher in the field of geomechanics, rock mechanics, and structural reliability with a strong interdisciplinary background bridging engineering computing, uncertainty modeling, and geostatistics. His research primarily focuses on reliable engineering computation, structural reliability, risk and hazard analysis, and quality evaluation of numerical, mathematical, and experimental models and methods. Dr. Motra has made significant contributions to rock physics, reservoir characterization, and the study of elastic and seismic anisotropy of rocks under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. His work also encompasses advanced uncertainty modeling in structural and geotechnical engineering, enhancing the understanding of rock behavior and material properties under variable environmental influences. He has an impressive academic record with 47 Scopus-indexed publications, accumulating 625 citations from 537 documents and an h-index of 14. On Google Scholar, his research impact is even broader, with 899 citations, an h-index of 16, and an i10-index of 23, reflecting the depth and influence of his scholarly contributions. Dr. Motra’s research excellence lies in combining experimental, computational, and probabilistic approaches to assess material behavior, measurement uncertainty, and geomaterial modeling, contributing to both fundamental understanding and industrial applications.

Profile

Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Motra, H. B., Hildebrand, J., & Dimmig-Osburg, A. (2014). Assessment of strain measurement techniques to characterise mechanical properties of structural steel. Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 17(4), 260–269.

Ji, S., Li, L., Motra, H. B., Wuttke, F., Sun, S., Michibayashi, K., & Salisbury, M. H. (2018). Poisson’s ratio and auxetic properties of natural rocks. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 123(2), 1161–1185.

Khalifeh, M., Saasen, A., Hodne, H., & Motra, H. B. (2019). Laboratory evaluation of rock-based geopolymers for zonal isolation and permanent P&A applications. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 175, 352–362.

Motra, H. B., & Stutz, H. H. (2018). Geomechanical rock properties using pressure and temperature dependence of elastic P- and S-wave velocities. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 36(6), 3751–3766.

Motra, H. B., Hildebrand, J., & Wuttke, F. (2016). The Monte Carlo Method for evaluating measurement uncertainty: Application for determining the properties of materials. Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 45, 220–228.

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.