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Edward Kavazanjian

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School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Regents Professor
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 3005
Sustainability Scientists and Scholars
Distinguished Sustainability Scientist
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 3005
Biography

Edward Kavazanjian is a Regents Professor and the Ira A. Fulton Professor of Geotechnical Engineering in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. 

Professor Kavazanjian’s expertise includes geotechnical engineering for civil infrastructure systems, design and construction of waste containment systems, geotechnical earthquake engineering, the mechanical properties of solid waste, and the emerging field of biogeotechnical engineering.  He is recipient of the 2009 Ralph B. Peck Award, 2010 Thomas A. Middlebrooks Award, and the 2011 Terzaghi Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).  In 2013, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his work on landfills and geotechnical earthquake engineering.  In August 2015, he became Director of the Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG), a National Science Foundation-funded Gen-3 Engineering Research Center dedicated to the emerging sub-discipline of biogeotechnical engineering. In 2018, he was elected a Distinguished Member of ASCE and is past-president of the ASCE Geo-Institute and the US University Council for Geotechnical Education and Research (USUCGER).

CV
Binary Data Curriculum Vitae
Education
  • Ph.D. Civil and Geotechncial Engineering, University of California-Berkeley 1978
  • M.S. Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1975
  • B.S. Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1973
Research Website
https://cbbg.engineering.asu.edu/
Google Scholar
Google Scholar Profile
Research Interests

Expertise: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Waste Containment, Mechanical Properties of Municpal Solid Waste

Publications

For a complete list of current publications, visit Edward Kavazanjian's Google Scholar profile.

  • Eric Williams, Braden Allenby, Edward Kavazanjian. Environmental, social and economic implications of global reuse and recycling of personal computers. Environmental Science & Technology (2008).
  • D. Zekkos, J. Bray, Edward Kavazanjian, N. Matasovic, E. Rathje, M. Reimer, K. Stokoe. "Unit Weight of Municipal Solid Waste". ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering (2006).
  • M Matasovic, Edward Kavazanjian. “Seismic Response of a Composite Landfill Cover”. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering (2006).
  • M. Matasovic, Edward Kavazanjian, A. De, R Dunn. “CPT-based Seismic Stability Assessment of a Hazardous Waste Site”. International Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, (2005).
  • S. Merry, Edward Kavazanjian, W. Fritz. “Reconnaissance of the July 10, 2000 Payatas Landfill Failure,”. Journal of Constructed Facilities (2005).
  • Edward Kavazanjian. “The use of geosynthetics for archeological sites reburial,”. Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites, James and James (Science Publishers), Ltd (2004).
  • J. Giroud, R. Thiel, Edward Kavazanjian. “Hydrated Area of a Bentonite Layer Between Two Geomembranes,”. Geosynthetics International, Thomas Telford (2004).
  • R. Bachus, M. Houlihan, Edward Kavazanjian, R. Isenberg, J. Beech. “Bioreactor Landfill Stability: Key Considerations”. MSW Management (2004).
  • J. Zornberg, Edward Kavazanjian. "Prediction of the Performance of a Geogrid-Reinforced Slope Founded on Solid Waste". Soils and Foundations (2001).
  • N. Matasovic, , Edward Kavazanjian. “Cyclic Characterization of OII Landfill Solid Waste”. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE (1998).
  • N. Matasovic, Edward Kavazanjian, J. Giroud. “Newmark Seismic Deformation Analysis for Geosynthetic Covers,”. Geosynthetics International, International Geosynthetics Society (1998).
  • N. Matasovic, Edward Kavazanjian, R. Anderson. “Performance of Solid Waste Landfills in Earthquakes,”. Earthquake Spectra, EERI (1998).
  • Edward Kavazanjian, S. Salah-Mars. “A Virtual Surface Concept for Nested Yield Surface Plasticity,”. International Journal of Numerical Methods in Geomechanics (1992).
  • C. Ho, Edward Kavazanjian. “Reduction Factor for Liquefaction Potential Analysis,”. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (1990).
  • H-S Hsieh, Edward Kavazanjian, R. Borja. “Double Yield Surface Cam-Clay Plasticity Model”. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE (1990).
  • R. Borja, H-S. Hsieh, Edward Kavazanjian. “Double Yield Surface Model. II: Implementation and Verification”. Journal of Geotechnical Engineers, ASCE (1990).
  • J Wang, Edward Kavazanjian. “Pore Pressure Development During Non-Uniform Cyclic Loading,”. Soils and Foundation, JSSMFE (1989).
  • C. Ho, J. Sarmiento, Edward Kavazanjian. “Stabilization of Liquefiable Samples During Transport”. Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM (1988).
  • Edward Kavazanjian, H. Echezuria, M. McCann. “RMS Acceleration Hazard for San Francisco”. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (1985).
  • Edward Kavazanjian, R. Borja. “A Constitutive Model for the Stress-Strain-Time Behavior of 'Wet' Clay”. Geotechnique (1985).
  • T. Hadj-Hamou, Edward Kavazanjian. “Seismic Stability of Gentle Infinite Slopes,”. Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers (1985).
Research Activity
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
VIP 194-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 194-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 294-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 294-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 394-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 394-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
VIP 494-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 494-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 555Advanced Foundations
CEE 557Geoenvironmental Engineering
CEE 580Practicum
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
BDE 792Research
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
BDE 799Dissertation
CEE 799Dissertation
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
VIP 194-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 194-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 294-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 294-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 394-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 394-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
VIP 494-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 494-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
BDE 792Research
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
BDE 799Dissertation
CEE 799Dissertation
Summer 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
BDE 792Research
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
VIP 194-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 194-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 294-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 294-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 394-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 394-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
VIP 494-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 494-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 552Soil Improvement
CEE 580Practicum
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
BDE 792Research
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
BDE 799Dissertation
CEE 799Dissertation
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
ASU 101-CEEThe ASU Experience
VIP 194-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 194-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 294-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 294-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 394-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 394-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
VIP 494-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 494-HONSpecial Topics
MBB 495Undergraduate Research
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 559Earthquake Engineering
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
VIP 194-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 194-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 294-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 294-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 394-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 394-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
VIP 494-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 494-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 580Practicum
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 598Special Topics
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
ASU 101-CEEThe ASU Experience
VIP 194-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 194-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 294-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 294-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 394-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 394-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
VIP 494-FSESpecial Topics
VIP 494-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 552Soil Improvement
CEE 557Geoenvironmental Engineering
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
VIP 194-HONSpecial Topics
VIP 394-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
VIP 494-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 580Practicum
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 598Special Topics
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
ASU 101-CEEThe ASU Experience
VIP 194-HONSpecial Topics
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 559Earthquake Engineering
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 598Special Topics
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Fall 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
ASU 101-CEEThe ASU Experience
CNE 486Integrated Civil Engr Design
CEE 486Integrated Civil Engr Design
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 557Geoenvironmental Engineering
CEE 580Practicum
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Summer 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Honors / Awards

2018    Distinguished Member, American Society of Civil Engineers

2015    Regents Professor, Arizona State University

2013    Member, Section 4, National Academy of Engineering

2011    Karl Terzaghi Award, American Society of Civil Engineers

2010    Thomas A. Middlebrooks Award, American Society of Civil Engineers

2009    Ralph P. Peck Award, American Society of Civil Engineers

Professional Associations

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute

International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE)

North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS)

International Geosynthetics Society (IGS)

Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)

United States Society on Dams (USSD)

Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)

Work History

2010-             Professor, Arizona State University

2004-2010     Associate Professor, Arizona State University

2003-2004     Professor (Research), U. Southern California

2002-2004     Lecturer (Part Time), University of California, Los Angeles

2002-2004     Consulting Engineer, Huntington Beach, CA

2002               Visiting Lecturer, Monash University

1995-2002     Principal, GeoSyntec Consultants, Huntington Beach, CA

1992-1995     Associate, GeoSyntec Consultants, Huntington Beach, CA

1990-1992     Executive Vice President, MAA Engineering, Los Angeles, CA

1988-1990     Associate, The Earth Technology Corporation, Long Beach, CA

1987-1988     Supervising Geotechnical Engineer, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc., NY, NY

1985-1987     Lead Geotechnical Engineer, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc., NY, NY

1986-1987     Adjunct Professor, Polytechnic University

1978-1985     Assistant Professor, Stanford University

Service

Appointments

2013-2017    National Research Council Study Committee on State of the Art and Practice in Earthquake-Induced Soil Liquefaction Assessment (Chairman)

2009-2013    National Research Council Board of Earth Sciences Resources (BESR)

2008-2013    National Research Council Standing Committee on Geotechnical and Geological Engineering (COGGE) [Committee Chair]

2005-2007    National Research Council Study Committee on Assessment of the Performance of Engineered Barriers

2003-2005    National Research Council Study Committee on Geotechnical and Geological Engineering in the New Millennium: Opportunities for Research and Innovation

 

Professional Service Leadership Positions

2018-            Past-President, United States Universities Council for Geotechnical Engineering and Research

2015-2018    President, United States Universities Council for Geotechnical Engineering and Research

2012-2015    Board of Directors, United States Universities Consortium for Geotechnical Engineering and Research

2012-2014    Chair, ASCE Geo-Institute Past-Presidents Committee

2012-2013    Chair, ASCE Geo-Institute Conference Planning Task Force

2010-2011    Immediate Past-President, ASCE Geo-Institute

2009-2010    President, ASCE Geo-Institute

2008-2013    Chair, Committee on Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Division of Earth and Life Science, National Research Council

2008-2009    Vice President and President-Elect, ASCE Geo-Institute

2005-2011    Governor, Board of Governors, ASCE Geo-Institute

2005-2015    Chairman, GeoSeismic Subcommittee, Committee on Seismic Design and Performance of Bridges, Transportation Research Board

2001-2005    Chairman, Technical Coordination Council, ASCE Geo-Institute

2000-2001    Councilor, Technical Coordination Council, ASCE Geo-Institute

1998-2000    Chairman, Embankments, Dams, and Slopes Committee, ASCE Geo-Institute

1995-1996    Chairman, Geotechnical Group, ASCE Los Angeles Section

1990-1995    Director, Geotechnical Group, ASCE Los Angeles Section

1980-1985    Director, Geotechnical Group, ASCE San Francisco Section

1984-1985    Chair, Reliability Committee, ASCE Geotechnical Engineering Division

 

Technical Committees

2010-            Member, Executive Committee, TC 215 Environmental Geotechnics, International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

2008-2013    Member, Board of Earth Sciences and Resources, Division of Earth and Life Science, National Research Council

2009-2017    Member, Committee on Foundations for Bridges and Other Structures,                         Transportation Research Board

2007-2013    Member, Committee on Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Division of Earth and Life Science, National Research Council

2003-2015    Member, Earthquake Investigation Committee, ASCE Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering

2005-            Member, Joint Sub-Committee on GeoSeismic Concerns, Committees on Seismic Design and Performance of Bridges and Foundations for Bridges and Other Structures, Transportation Research Board

2003-2018    Member, Committee on Seismic Design and Performance of Bridges, Transportation Research Board

1997-2005    Member, Committee on Foundations for Bridges and Other Structures, Transportation Research Board

1994-1998    Member, Embankments, Dams, and Slopes Committee, ASCE Geo-Institute

1992-2005    Member, Transportation Committee, ASCE Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering

1988-2001    Member, Seismic Risk Committee, ASCE Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering

1986-1988    Member, Continuing Education Committee, Geotechnical Group. ASCE Metropolitan (NY/NJ) Section

1980-1984    Member, Reliability Committee, ASCE Geotechnical Engineering Division

 

External Program Reviews

2015             Member, Visiting Committee for Review of the University of California at San Diego Structural and Geotechnical Engineering Program

2004             Member, National Science Foundation Division of Civil and Mechanical Systems Committee of Visitors  

2002-2003    Member, Industrial Advisory Board, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California

1998-2002    Member, Visiting Committee, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Texas, Austin

Expertise Areas
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
Waste Containment
Mechanical Properties of Solid Waste