Geotechnical engineer Alejandro Martínez joins us to discuss a new and multidisciplinary engineering subfield called biogeotechnics. “Bioinspired” research examines and mimics ways that plants, animals and bacteria successfully interact with soil. For example: how tree roots successfully resist wind loads. “Biomediated” research uses biological elements to improve soil. For example, byproducts of certain bacteria can cement and desaturate soil — potentially preventing liquefaction in susceptible areas.

Read up on Professor Martínez’s research at UC Davis:
https://faculty.engineering.ucdavis.edu/martinez/

Follow Alejandro Martínez on X: @MartVAlejandro

Background info on Martínez’s snakeskin-inspired piles:
https://www.designsafe-ci.org/community/news/2022/august/piles-inspired-snakeskin/

Using centrifugal force to study natural hazards at the NHERI at UC Davis Center for Geotechnical Modeling:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlLTdPaOUFk

Follow the Center for Geotechnical Modeling on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-for-Geotechnical-Modeling/100063111107077/

Questions about NHERI or NHERI extreme events research?
Contact us: nheri.communications@gmail.com

Keywords: biocementation, biodesaturation, liquefaction, biogeotechnics, geotechnical engineering, ground improvement, soil improvement