Smith, Colin, Professor

Professor Colin Smith

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Professor in Geotechnical Engineering

c.c.smith@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 5717

Room E106, Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)

Full contact details

Professor Colin Smith
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Room E106
Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)
Mappin Street
��«Ӱҵ
S1 3JD

Profile

My research focuses on the development of optimisation-based tools for geotechnical analysis and design together with novel low-carbon construction techniques.

Prof. Colin Smith

Colin Smith graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1987. He joined the Cambridge Soil Mechanics research group in the same year and completed a PhD in 1991. Following two years as a research associate at Cambridge he joined the Department in 1992.

He is co-developer of the novel Discontinuity Layout Optimisation (DLO) numerical limit analysis method and is co-founder and director of University spin-out company , where he led the development of the DLO based ultimate limit state analysis and design software . The software rapidly analyses the safety of geotechnical constructions and is now in use by over 100 companies and ~240 Universities across the world. It is also used within several taught modules at ��«Ӱҵ.

He currently teaches geotechnical design modules within the Department at Level 3 and MSc level.

His research is aimed at developing enhanced limit analysis techniques and in the application of robust optimization techniques to geotechnical design.

He is also researching novel low carbon geotechnical construction techniques. Adopting the broad paradigm of in-situ resource utilization, this work seeks to ‘go back to the future’ combining traditional approaches (including masonry) with digital technology to achieve modern standards of engineering with minimal external material inputs. This work combines experimental studies with numerical modelling.

His current research includes:

Limit analysis and optimisation in geotechnics: providing easy-to-use tools for engineers to identify critical collapse mechanisms and associated margins of safety.
Low-carbon geotechnical construction through numerical design optimisation and the application of low-impact construction techniques. This encompasses traditional methods using soil and rock, application of unsaturated soil strength, and development of rigorous chemistry based bio-additive techniques for soil improvement.
Masonry arch bridge analysis, modelling and assessment.

Further information may be found in his dedicated .

His research at ��«Ӱҵ has been funded by EPSRC, NERC and industry.

Publications

Books

Gilbert M, Cole G, Smith C, Melbourne C & Drake C (2022) Guidance on the Assessment of Masonry Arch Bridges.
Smith C, Armstrong S & Tait S (2003) LTSN engineering mini-project report: Enhancing transferable skills development in group projects through the use of training exercises.

Journal articles

Grillanda N, He L, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2024) . Computers & Structures, 305, 107563-107563.
Argani LP, Gajo A & Smith CC (2023) . Computers and Geotechnics, 163, 105710-105710.
Liu B, Drougkas A, Sarhosis V, Smith CC & Gilbert M (2023) . Engineering Structures, 292, 116531-116531.
He L, Schiantella M, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2023) . Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 66(7).
Armistead SJ, Smith CC & Staniland SS (2023) . Acta Geotechnica, 18(6), 3213-3227.
Scarfone R, Wheeler SJ & Smith CC (2023) . Acta Geotechnica, 18(1), 355-378.
Valentino J, Gilbert M, Gueguin M & Smith CC (2022) . International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering.
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2022) . International Journal of Solids and Structures, 244-245.
Armistead SJ, Smith CC & Staniland SS (2022) . Scientific Reports, 12(1).
Gonzalez-Castejon J & Smith CC (2022) . ��é�ǳٱ𳦳�Ծ��ܱ�, 72(6), 486-495.
Armistead SJ, Rawlings AE, Smith CC & Staniland SS (2020) . Environmental Science & Technology, 54(21), 13963-13972.
Peng Z, Smith C & Stovin V (2020) . Journal of Hydrology, 590.
Zhang R & Smith CC (2020) . Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 57(3), 423-432.
Pritchard T, Smith C, Ghadbeigi H, Galindo-Fernandez M, Gilbert M & Ayvar-Soberinas S (2019) . Procedia CIRP, 82, 37-42.
Peng Z, Smith C & Stovin V (2019) . Journal of Hydrology, 573, 872-884.
Menon M, Tatari A & Smith CC (2018) . Soil Use and Management, 34(4), 563-574.
Augusthus-Nelson L, Swift GM, Smith CC, Gilbert M & Melbourne C (2018) . Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering, 1-36.
Gajo A & Smith CC (2018) . Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 55(6), 829-838.
Smith C & Bull JW (2017) . Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 170(4), 133-134.
Augusthus-Nelson L, Swift G, Melbourne C, Smith C & Gilbert M (2017) . International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 1-14.
Smith CC & Tatari A (2016) . Geotextiles and Geomembranes, 44(4), 504-514.
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2015) . Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 168(4), 155-168.
Pytlos M, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2015) . ��é�ǳٱ𳦳�Ծ��ܱ� Letters , 5(4), 243-249.
Smith C (2015) . Proceedings of the ICE - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 168(3), 89-89.
Smith C (2015) . Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 168(3), 89-89.
Babiker AFA, Smith CC, Gilbert M & Ashby JP (2014) . International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 71, 1-11.
Gilbert M, He L, Smith CC & Le C (2014) . Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 470(2168), ---.
Clarke SD, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2013) . Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 50(7), 705-715.
Hawksbee S, Smith CC & Gilbert M (2013) . Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 469(2155).
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2013) Identification of rotational failure mechanisms in cohesive media using discontinuity layout optimization. Geotechnique: International Journal of Soil Mechanics, 63(14), 1194-1208.
Callaway P, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2012) . Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Bridge Engineering, 165(3), 147-157.
Smith CC (2012) . Geotechnique Letters, 2(4-6), 205-208.
Belczyk EB & Smith CC (2012) . Geosynthetics International, 19(2), 133-146.
Lee YS, Cheuk CY & Smith CC (2012) . HKIE Transactions Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, 19(4), 2-10.
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2011) Ultimate limit state design to Eurocode 7 using numerical methods Part II: Proposed design procedure and application. Ground Engineering, 44(11), 24-29.
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2011) Ultimate limit state design to Eurocode 7 using numerical methods Part I: Methodology and theory. Ground Engineering, 44(10), 25-30.
Smith CC & Cubrinovski M (2011) . Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 31(10), 1311-1323.
Lee YS, Smith CC & Cheuk CY (2011) Lateral breakout resistance of shallowly embedded offshore pipelines. Procedia Engineering, 14, 1690-1695.
Gilbert M, Smith CC & Pritchard TJ (2010) . Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 163(3), 155-166.
Merifield RS & Smith CC (2010) . Computers and Geotechnics, 37(4), 504-514.
Gilbert M & Smith C (2010) Soil structure revolution. Structural Engineer, 88(3), 18-22.
Smith C & Gilbert M (2007) . Proceedings Royal Society A, 463(2086), 2461-2484.
Hulet KM, Smith CC & Gilbert M (2006) . Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Bridge Engineering, 159, 97-103.
Smith CC (2006) . Transport in Porous Media, 63(1), 223-237.
Smith CC (2006) Erratum: Complete limiting stress solutions for the bearing rapacity of strip footings on a Mohr-Coulomb soil (��é�ǳٱ𳦳�Ծ��ܱ� (2005) 55 8 (607-612)). Geotechnique, 56(1), 77.
Gilbert M, Melbourne C, Smith C, Brencich A & De Francesco U (2006) . Journal of Bridge Engineering, 11(2), 257-261.
Jones EH & Smith CC (2005) . Water Research, 39(20), 5099-5111.
Smith CC (2005) . Geotechnique, 55(8), 607-612.
Huang WE, Oswald SE, Lerner DN, Smith CC & Zheng C (2003) . Environmental Science & Technology, 37, 1905-1911.
Czerewko MA, Cripps JC & Smith CC (2002) The impact of contaminated land on the groundwater quality in the Wolverhampton conurbation. Groundwater Quality: Natural and Enhanced Restoration of Groundwater Pollution, IAHS Special Publication No. 275, 65-70.
Huang WE, Smith CC, Lerner DN, Thornton SF & Oram A (2002) . Water Research, 36(7), 1843-1853.
Smith CC & Anderson WF (2001) . Engineering Geology, 60(1-4), 253-261.
Smith CC, Cripps JC & Wymer MJ (1999) Permeability of compacted colliery spoil - a parametric study. Engineering Geology, 53, 187-193.
Langhorne PJ, Stone KJL & Smith CC (1999) The bearing capacity of saline ice sheets: Centrifugal modelling. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 36(3), 467.
Smith CC (1998) Limit loads for an anchor/trapdoor embedded in an associative Coulomb soil. INT J NUMER ANAL MET, 22(11), 855-865.
Stone KJL, Smith CC & Schofield AN (1996) A thermally controlled test chamber for centrifuge and laboratory experiments. ASTM Journal of Geotechnical Testing, 19(4), 441-445.

Chapters

Gilbert M, Grillanda N, He L, Smith C & Valentino J (2025) , Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering (pp. 272-284). Springer Nature Switzerland
Yu X, Armistead SJ, McGregor J, Martsinovich N & Smith CC (2024) , Geotechnical Engineering Challenges to Meet Current and Emerging Needs of Society (pp. 3450-3454). CRC Press
Burlon S, Walter H & Smith CC (2024) , Geotechnical Engineering Challenges to Meet Current and Emerging Needs of Society (pp. 1513-1516). CRC Press
Gilbert M, Smith C & Amodio S (2023) , Life-Cycle of Structures and Infrastructure Systems (pp. 1400-1407). CRC Press
Amodio S, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2023) , Life-Cycle of Structures and Infrastructure Systems (pp. 1360-1367). CRC Press
He L, Grillanda N, Valentino J, Gilbert M & Smith C (2023) , Life-Cycle of Structures and Infrastructure Systems (pp. 1376-1383). CRC Press
Ballard JC & Smith CC (2015) Ultimate uplift capacity of buried pipelines in undrained clay, Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics III (pp. 357-362).
Ramos da Silva M, Smith CC & Jurko J (2015) Squeezing bearing capacity and effects of increasing strength with depth, Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics III (pp. 1299-1304).
Gilbert M, Smith CC, Hawksbee SJ & Tyas A (2014) , Direct Methods for Limit States in Structures and Materials (pp. 157-180). Springer Netherlands
Smith CC (2013) In Arnold P, Fenton GA, Hicks MA, Schweckendiek T & Simpson B (Ed.), Modern Geotechnical Design Codes of Practice (pp. 195-213). IOS Press
Talbot S, Lawson N & Smith C (2008) , Sustainable Brownfield Regeneration: Liveable Places from Problem Spaces (pp. 237-262).
Smith CC (2006) Geotechnical testing for assessment of masonry arch bridges In McKibbins LD (Ed.), Masonry Arch Bridges: Condition Appraisal and Remedial Treatment Ciria
Smith CC (1995) Cold regions' engineering In Taylor RN (Ed.), Geotechnical Centrifuge Technology (pp. 264-292). Routledge
() In Cardoso AS, Borges JL, Costa PA, Gomes AT, Marques JC & Vieira CS (Ed.) CRC Press

Conference proceedings papers

Gilbert M, Smith C & Amodio S (2024) . IABSE Reports, 10 April 2024 - 12 April 2024.
Smith C, McGregor J, Martsinovich N, Armistead S, Yu X & Siripanich N (2023) (pp 293-302)
Schiantella M, Gilbert M, Smith C, He L, Cluni F & Gusella V (2022) . 8th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering
Scarfone R, Wheeler SJ & Smith CC (2020) . E3S Web of Conferences, Vol. 195. Lisboa, Portugal (online), 19 October 2020 - 21 October 2020.
Tarantino A, El Mountassir G, Wheeler S, Gallipoli D, Russo G, Augarde C, Urciuoli G, Pirone M, Stokes A, van de Kuilen JW , Gard W et al (2020) . E3S Web of Conferences, Vol. 195. Lisboa, Portugal (online), 19 October 2020 - 21 October 2020.
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2020) . Geo-Congress 2020
Smith CC, Gilbert M, González-Castejón J & Ouakka S (2020) . Geo-Congress 2020
Amodio S, Gilbert M & Smith C (2020) (pp 315-322)
Dang Q, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2020) (pp 323-330)
Gilbert M, Valentino J, Smith C & Pritchard T (2020) (pp 307-314)
Charles JA, Smith CC & Black JA (2019) . . Proceedings of the XVII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering - ECSMGE(1). Reykjavik, Iceland, 1 September 2019 - 1 September 2019.
Smith CC, Gilbert M, He L, González-Castejón J & Ouakka S (2019) . 17th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ECSMGE 2019 - Proceedings, Vol. 2019-September
Li H, Smith CC & Shepley P (2019) . 17th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ECSMGE 2019 - Proceedings, Vol. 2019-September
Charles JA, Smith CC & Black JA (2018) Identification of soil stress-strain response from full field displacement measurements in plane strain model tests. Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Vol. 2 (pp 835-840). London, 17 July 2018 - 17 July 2018.
Gonzalez-Castejon J & Smith C (2018) . Proceedings of the 9th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (NUMGE 2018), Vol. 2 (pp 1377-1382). Porto, Portugal, 25 June 2018 - 25 June 2018.
Smith CC, Gonzalez-Castejon J & Charles J (2017) Enhanced interpretation of geotechnical limit analysis solutions using Discontinuity Layout Optimization. 19th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (pp 851-854). Seoul, Korea, 17 September 2017 - 17 September 2017.
Pytlos , Gilbert M & smith CC (2016) Use of a physics engine to model soil filled masonry arch bridges. Proc. 8th International Arch Bridges Conference. Wroclaw
Augusthus-Nelson L, Swift G, Smith CC, Gilbert M & Melbourne C (2016) Behaviour of backfilled masonry arch bridges subjected to cyclic loading. Proc. 8th International Arch Bridges Conference. Wroclaw
Gilbert M, Smith CC, Melbourne C, Augusthus-Nelson L & Swift G (2016) Proposed permissible limit state assessment criteria for masonry arch bridges. Proc. 8th International Arch Bridges Conference. Wroclaw
Da Silva MR, Smith CC & Jurko J (2015) Plane strain capacity of a two-layered clay: Squeezing of upper layer. Geotechnical Engineering for Infrastructure and Development - Proceedings of the XVI European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ECSMGE 2015, Vol. 7 (pp 4043-4048)
da Silva M, Smith C & Jurko J (2015) (pp 1299-1304)
Ballard J & Smith C (2015) (pp 357-362)
Shwan BJ & Smith CC (2015) Investigation of the shear strength of unsaturated sand using a modified direct shear apparatus. Geotechnical Engineering for Infrastructure and Development - Proceedings of the XVI European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ECSMGE 2015, Vol. 6 (pp 3353-3357)
Smith CC (2015) SLS analysis of soil-structure interaction using direct methods. Geotechnical Engineering for Infrastructure and Development - Proceedings of the XVI European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ECSMGE 2015, Vol. 7 (pp 4179-4184)
Gueguin M, Smith CC & Gilbert M (2015) Use of digital image correlation to directly derive soil stress-strain response from physical model test data. Geotechnical Engineering for Infrastructure and Development - Proceedings of the XVI European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ECSMGE 2015, Vol. 7 (pp 3881-3886)
Shwan BJ & Smith CC (2014) Application of limit analysis in unsaturated soils: Numerical and experimental study of bearing capacity. Unsaturated Soils: Research and Applications - Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, UNSAT 2014, Vol. 2 (pp 1757-1762)
(2014) (pp 569-637)
Lincoln DL, Askes H, Smith CC, Cripps JC & Bennett T (2014) . Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering - Proceedings of the 8th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering, NUMGE 2014, Vol. 2 (pp 989-994)
Smith CC, Gilbert M, Hawksbee SJ & Babiker A (2014) Recent advances in the application of discontinuity layout optimization to geotechnical limit analysis problems. Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering - Proceedings of the 8th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering, NUMGE 2014, Vol. 1 (pp 415-420)
Melbourne C, Cole G, Gilbert M, Swift GM & Smith C (2013) A road-map for the assessment of masonry arch bridges. 7th International Arch Bridges Conference (pp 605-612). Croatia
Gilbert M, Smith C, Hawksbee , Swift GM & Melbourne C (2013) Modelling soil-structure interaction in masonry arch bridges. 7th International Arch Bridges Conference (pp 613-620). Croatia
Merifield R & Smith C (2010) . Soil Behavior and Geo-Micromechanics
Clarke SD, Smith CC & Gilbert M (2010) Analysis of the stability of sheet pile walls using discontinuity layout optimization. Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering - Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (pp 163-168)
Babiker AF, Smith CC & Gilbert M (2010) Application of discontinuity layout optimization to problems involving non-associative friction. Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering - Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (pp 45-50)
Gilbert M, Smith CC, Haslam IW & Pritchard TJ (2010) Application of discontinuity layout optimization to geotechnical limit analysis problems. Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering - Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (pp 169-174)
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2010) Ultimate limit state design to Eurocode 7 using numerical methods. Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering - Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (pp 947-952)
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2010) Advances in computational limit state analysis and design. Advances in Analysis, Modeling, & Design, Proceedings of the GeoFlorida 2010 Conference. West Palm Beach
Gilbert M, Smith CC, Pritchard TJ, Haslam IW & Shepherd M (2009) Systematic identification of yield-line patterns in slabs. Concrete Communication Symposioum (pp 2). Leeds
Swift G, Melbourne C, Wang J, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2008) Geotechnical aspects of masonry arch bridges. Advances in Transportation Geotechnics (pp 459-466). Nottingham
Gilbert M & Smith CC (2008) On the analogy between structural layout optimization and plastic limit analysis formulations. 8th World Congress in Computational Mechanics (pp 2-2). Venice
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2008) Limit analysis of the stability of foundations on inclined ground. 2nd International Conference on Foundations, ICOF 2008 (pp 1683-1692). 2008
Gilbert M & Smith CC (2007) Discontinuity layout optimization: A new numerical procedure for upper bound limit analysis. IX International Conference on Computational Plasticity: COMPLAS IX (pp 170-173). Barcelona
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2007) New upper bound solutions for layered soil bearing capacity problems using discontinuity layout optimization. 10th Australia-New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics (pp 250-255). Brisbane
Nguyen D, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2007) Application of limit analysis to soil-structure interaction problems. 10th Australia-New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics (pp 196-201). Brisbane
Gilbert M, Nguyen D & Smith CC (2007) Computational limit analysis of soil-arch interaction in masonry arch bridges. 5th International Arch Bridges Conference (pp 633-640). Madeira
Gilbert M, Smith CC, Wang J, Callaway PA & Melbourne C (2007) Small and large-scale experimental studies of soil-arch interaction in masonry bridges. 5th International Arch Bridges Conference (pp 381-388). Madeira
Gilbert M, Smith CC, Melbourne C & Wang J (2006) An experimental study of soil-arch interaction in masonry bridges. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management (pp 8-8). Porto
Cripps JC, Czerewko MA, Smith CC & Williams GM (2006) Wolverhampton case study of the characterisation of groundwater interaction with contaminated soils. 10th Congress of the International Association of Engineering Geology and the Environment. Nottingham
Smith CC, Gilbert M, Melbourne C & Wang J (2006) Full scale modelling of soil-structure interaction in masonry arch bridges. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Vol. 1-2 (pp 247-252)
Hao X & Smith CC (2005) Physical and chemical properties of acid tars. ConSoil 2005. Bordeaux
Haslam I, Smith CC & Crouch RS (2005) Reactive flow and mixing in uniform and tortuous flow fields. ACME 2005, Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering Conference (pp 67-70). ��«Ӱҵ
Haslam I, Smith CC & Crouch RS (2004) Lattice gas simulations of reactive flow in porous media: Preliminary results. ACME 2004, Association for Computational Mechanics in Engineering Conference. Cardiff
Smith CC, Gilbert M & Callaway CC (2004) Geotechnical issues in the analysis of masonry arch bridges. 4th International Arch Bridges Conference (pp 343-352). Barcelona
Smith CC, Hao X & Brown MJ (2004) SUBR:IM work package H: Restoration of acid tar lagoons. CL:AIRE Annual Project Conference 2004. London
Talbot S, Smith CC, Lawson N, Shaw S & Hao X (2004) Restoration of acid tar lagoons - an inclusive approach. SCI/RSC Conference: Contaminated Land - Achievements & Aspirations. Loughborough
Lerner DN, Huang WE, Smith CC & Thornton SF (2002) Transverse dispersion-it’s role in natural attenuation. European Conference on Natural Attenuation (pp 39-42). Frankfurt, Germany, 15 October 2002 - 17 October 2002.
Czerewko MA, Cripps JC, Smith CC, Williams GM, Smith A, Midwood A & Suzuki K (2002) An investigation into the potential for groundwater contamination as a result of industrial dereliction. 9th Congress of the International Association of Engineering Geology and the Environment (pp 1520-1528). Cape Town
Freewood RJ, Cripps JC & Smith CC (2002) Leachate attenuation characteristics of colliery spoil. Groundwater Quality: Natural and Enhanced Restoration of Groundwater Pollution, IAHS Special Publication No. 2750144-7815 (pp 159-164). ��«Ӱҵ
Huang WE, Lerner DN, Smith CC & Thornton SF (2002) A non-invasive imaging technique to investigate the solute transport in porous media. Groundwater Quality: Natural and Enhanced Restoration of Groundwater Pollution. S.F. Thornton & S.E. Oswald (eds), IAHS Publication 275 (pp 277-282). ��«Ӱҵ, UK
Smith CC & Pearce CL (2001) The influence of effective stress on the sorption characteristics of bentonite. 15th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (pp 1851-1854). Istanbul, Vol. 3
Czerewko MA, Cripps JC, Smith CC, Williams GM, Smith A, Midwood AJ & Suzuki K (2001) Evaluation of leaching tests in contaminated land studies. 3rd BGA Conference on Geoenvironmental Engineering. Edinburgh
Freewood RJ, Smith CC & Cripps JC (2001) Comparison of leachate attenuation characteristics of colliery spoils in field, column and batch tests. 3rd BGA Conference on Geoenvironmental Engineering. Edinburgh
Xiangsheng C, Schofield AN & Smith CC (1994) Centrifuge modelling of frost heave of pipelines (pp 91-96)
Chen XS, Schofield AN & Smith CC (1993) Preliminary tests of heave and settlement of soils under one cycle of freeze-thaw in closed system on a small centrifuge. Proc. 6th International Conference on Permafrost, Vol. II (pp 1070-1072). Beijing

Patents

Smith CC & Gilbert M () Data processing method and method. US 8,140,175 Appl. 01 Jan 1970.

Reports

Bayton SM, Black JA, Smith CC, Handley B & Primett C (2016) Challenging the perceptions of precast piles

Preprints

Armistead SJ, Smith CC & Staniland SS (2021) , Research Square Platform LLC.

Research group

Computational Mechanics & Design

Geotechnics

Grants

View all research projects

Exploiting the resilience of masonry arch bridge infrastructure

The goal of this project is to provide those responsible for the management of bridges with a powerful suite of analysis modelling tools and a robust overarching multi-level framework capable of being applied to the diverse population of masonry arch bridges in-service today (i.e. undamaged, damaged and repaired).

Practical 3D model of masonry arch bridges and tunnel linings

The decision support tools currently used by bridge owners and their consultants tend to be highly simplified, and incapable of identifying bridges which are likely to deteriorate under traffic loads, and of diagnosing the causes of a range of commonly encountered defects...

The global soil stabilisation market is forecast to grow from $25 billion in 2019 to $35 billion by 2027 driven primarily by infrastructure and construction activities and exacerbated by the increasingly urgent need to adapt to climate change, flood risk and sea-level rise. Soil chemical stabilisation (where soil is mixed with an additive to enhance its strength) is forecast to be the fastest growing sector of the market, taking just under half the share. However the most widely-used additives, cement and lime, suffer from significant carbon and energy costs and substantial environmental impacts.

Such concerns have stimulated interest in biologically-derived alternatives as a low-carbon sustainable solution. There is existing evidence that naturally sourced biopolymers have significant potential, achieving higher strength in stabilised soils with lower additive mass than cement and at similar cost. However, widespread uptake of biopolymers is impeded by the fact that they generally suffer from poor water resistance and poor resistance to biodegradation over time. If these challenges can be addressed, biopolymers could achieve a transformational impact on soil stabilisation. This cross-disciplinary project aims to investigate a number of novel strategies to achieve this goal, designing solutions from the molecular level upwards.

Professional activities and memberships

Co-founder and Director of the University spin-out company . The company specialises in the development of novel analysis and design software applications which make use of methods developed in the University. LimitState software is now used by >150 industry organizations in >30 countries.

Secretary of International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) Technical Committee TC205 Safety and Serviceability in Geotechnical Design (2010-2017).

Member of Eurocode 7 evolution group EG4, working groups WG1-TG2, WG7, WG3-TG6 (reinforced soil), TGD1.6 (numerical methods) (2011 – present).

Recipient of the ICE Baker Medal (2007) published journal papers.

PhD opportunities

Design Optimization in Geotechnical Engineering

This project is concerned with the development of numerical methods for the design optimization of earthworks, foundations and retaining structures combining general purpose optimization techniques developed for analysis (e.g. http://www.limitstate.com/geo) and design. An aptitude for computer programming would be essential for this project.

If you're interested in one of these projects, or would like to self-propose a project, please contact Colin at the above email. Current PhD opportunities in the department can be viewed here.

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School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Professor Colin Smith

Books

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

Patents

Reports

Preprints

Links