Dr Colin Smith

Department of Civil and Structural Engineering

Senior Lecturer in Geomechanics

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

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

Full contact details

Dr Colin Smith
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Room E106
Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD

Profile

My research focuses on the development of optimisation-based geotechnical analysis and design tools and low-carbon construction techniques in order to make the best use of our resources and minimise environmental impact.

Dr 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 LimitState Ltd, where he led the development of the DLO based ultimate limit state analysis and design software LimitState:GEO. 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 Sheffield.

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 research at Sheffield has been funded by EPSRC, NERC and industry.

Research Themes

Research interests

Colin's research aims to improve the design and efficiency of fundamental geotechnical structures, such as foundations, retaining walls, slopes/embankments and tunnels.

His work focuses on:

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 research pages.

Publications

Books

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

Scarfone R, Wheeler SJ & Smith CC (2022) Numerical modelling of the application of capillary barrier systems for prevention of rainfall-induced slope instability. Acta Geotechnica, 1-24.
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2022) The stress function basis of the upper bound theorem of plasticity. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 244-245.
Armistead SJ, Smith CC & Staniland SS (2022) Sustainable biopolymer soil stabilization in saline rich, arid conditions: a ‘micro to macro’ approach. Scientific Reports, 12(1).
Armistead SJ, Rawlings AE, Smith CC & Staniland SS (2020) Biopolymer stabilization/solidification of soils : a rapid, micro-macro, cross-disciplinary approach. Environmental Science & Technology.
Peng Z, Smith C & Stovin V (2020) The importance of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity measurements for green roof detention modelling. Journal of Hydrology. View this article in WRRO
Pritchard T, Smith C, Ghadbeigi H, Galindo-Fernandez M, Gilbert M & Ayvar-Soberinas S (2019) Modelling orthogonal and oblique cutting via discontinuity layout optimization. Procedia CIRP, 82, 37-42. View this article in WRRO
Peng Z, Smith C & Stovin V (2019) Internal fluctuations in green roof substrate moisture content during storm events: Monitored data and model simulations. Journal of Hydrology. View this article in WRRO
Zhang R & Smith C (2019) Upper bound limit analysis of soils with a non-linear failure criterion. Canadian Geotechnical Journal. View this article in WRRO
Menon M, Tatari A & Smith CC (2018) Mechanical Properties of Freshly Amended Soils with Miscanthus Biochar. Soil Use and Management. View this article in WRRO
Augusthus-Nelson L, Swift GM, Smith CC, Gilbert M & Melbourne C (2018) Influence of railway loading on the performance of soil-filled masonry arch bridges. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering, 1-36. View this article in WRRO
Gajo A & Smith CC (2018) Combined rupture mechanisms in shallow foundations. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 55(6), 829-838. View this article in WRRO
Smith C & Bull JW (2017) Editorial. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 170(4), 133-134. View this article in WRRO
Augusthus-Nelson L, Swift G, Melbourne C, Smith C & Gilbert M (2017) Large-scale physical modelling of soil-filled masonry arch bridges. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 1-14. View this article in WRRO
Smith CC & Tatari A (2016) Limit analysis of reinforced embankments on soft soil. Geotextiles and Geomembranes, 44(4), 504-514. View this article in WRRO
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2015) Modelling rotational failure in confined geometries using DLO. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 168(4), 155-168. View this article in WRRO
Pytlos M, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2015) Modelling granular soil behaviour using a physics engine. Géotechnique Letters, 5(4), 243-249. View this article in WRRO
Smith C (2015) Editorial. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 168(3), 89-89.
Smith C (2015) Editorial. Proceedings of the ICE - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 168(3), 89-89.
Babiker AFA, Smith CC, Gilbert M & Ashby JP (2014) Non-associative limit analysis of the toppling-sliding failure of rock slopes. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 71, 1-11. View this article in WRRO
Gilbert M, He L, Smith CC & Le C (2014) Automatic yield-line analysis of slabs using discontinuity layout optimization. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 470(2168). View this article in WRRO
Clarke SD, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2013) Modelling discrete soil reinforcement in numerical limit analysis. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 50(7), 705-715. View this article in WRRO
Hawksbee S, Smith CC & Gilbert M (2013) Application of discontinuity layout optimization to three-dimensional plasticity problems. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 469(2155). View this article in WRRO
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. View this article in WRRO
Callaway P, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2012) Influence of backfill on the capacity of masonry arch bridges. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Bridge Engineering, 165(3), 147-157. View this article in WRRO
Smith CC (2012) Theoretical basis of ultimate limit state design. Geotechnique Letters, 2(4-6), 205-208. View this article in WRRO
Belczyk EB & Smith CC (2012) Geosynthetic landfill cap stability: Comparison of limit equilibrium, computational limit analysis and finite element analyses. Geosynthetics International, 19(2), 133-146. View this article in WRRO
Lee YS, Cheuk CY & Smith CC (2012) Lateral Soil Resistance for On-bottom Pipeline Design on Clayey Seabed. 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. View this article in WRRO
Smith CC & Cubrinovski M (2011) Pseudo-static limit analysis by discontinuity layout optimization: Application to seismic analysis of retaining walls. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 31(10), 1311-1323. View this article in WRRO
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. View this article in WRRO
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) Masonry arch analysis using discontinuity layout optimisation. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 163(3), 155-166.
Merifield RS & Smith CC (2010) The ultimate uplift capacity of multi-plate strip anchors in undrained clay. 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) Application of discontinuity layout optimization to plane plasticity problems. Proceedings Royal Society A, 463(2086), 2461-2484. View this article in WRRO
Hulet KM, Smith CC & Gilbert M (2006) Load-carrying capacity of flooded masonry arch bridges. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Bridge Engineering, 159, 97-103.
Smith CC (2006) Influence of density inversion on thawing around a cylinder in a frozen saturated porous medium. 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 (Géotechnique (2005) 55 8 (607-612)). Geotechnique, 56(1), 77.
Gilbert M, Melbourne C, Smith C, Brencich A & De Francesco U (2006) Discussion of "Assessment of multispan masonry arch bridges. I: Simplified approach" by Antonio Brencich and Ugo de Francesco. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 11(2), 257-261.
Jones EH & Smith CC (2005) Non-equilibrium partitioning tracer transport in porous media: 2-D physical modelling and imaging using a partitioning fluorescent dye. Water Research, 39(20), 5099-5111.
Smith CC (2005) Complete limiting stress solutions for the bearing capacity of strip footings on a Mohr-Coulomb soil. Geotechnique, 55(8), 607-612. View this article in WRRO
Huang WE, Oswald SE, Lerner DN, Smith CC & Zheng C (2003) Dissolved oxygen imaging in a porous medium to investigate biodegradation in a plume with limited electron acceptor supply. Environmental Science & Technology, 37, 1905-1911.
Huang WE, Smith CC, Lerner DN, Thornton SF & Oram A (2002) Physical modelling of solute transport in porous media: Evaluation of an imaging technique using UV excited fluorescent dye. Water Research, 36(7), 1843-1853.
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.
Smith CC & Anderson WF (2001) Evaluation of shredded tyre chips as sorption media for passive treatment walls. 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.
Gonzalez-Castejon J & Smith C () Optimized Design of Soil Reinforcement Layout. Géotechnique.

Chapters

Gilbert M, Smith CC, Hawksbee SJ & Tyas A (2014) Use of Layout Optimization to Solve Large-Scale Limit Analysis and Design Problems, Direct Methods for Limit States in Structures and Materials (pp. 157-180). Springer Netherlands
Smith CC (2013) Application of computational limit analysis in ultimate limit state design In Arnold P, Fenton GA, Hicks MA, Schweckendiek T & Simpson B (Ed.), Modern Geotechnical Design Codes of Practice (pp. 195-213). IOS Press
Smith CC, Talbot S & Lawson N (2007) Chapter 10: 'The creature lurks within?' Restoring acid tar lagoons In Dixon T (Ed.), Sustainable Brownfield Regeneration Wiley-Blackwell
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
Talbot S, Lawson N & Smith C () ‘The Creature Lurks Within?’ Restoring Acid Tar Lagoons, Sustainable Brownfield Regeneration (pp. 237-262). Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Conference proceedings papers

Scarfone R, Wheeler SJ & Smith CC (2020) Numerical study of the application of capillary barrier systems for prevention of rainfall-induced slope instabilities. 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) TERRE project : interplay between unsaturated soil mechanics and low-carbon geotechnical engineering. E3S Web of Conferences, Vol. 195. Lisboa, Portugal (online), 19 October 2020 - 21 October 2020.
Smith CC, Gilbert M, González-Castejón J & Ouakka S (2020) Application of Computational Design Optimization in Geotechnical Engineering. Geo-Congress 2020
Smith CC & Gilbert M (2020) Application of Computational Limit Analysis to LRFD Design. Geo-Congress 2020
Gilbert M, Valentino J, Smith C & Pritchard T (2020) Limit Analysis of Masonry Arch Bridges Using Discontinuity Layout Optimization (pp 307-314)
Amodio S, Gilbert M & Smith C (2020) Modelling Masonry Arch Bridges Containing Internal Spandrel Walls (pp 315-322)
Dang Q, Gilbert M & Smith CC (2020) Lower Bound Stress Fields in the Limit Analysis of Soil-Filled Masonry Arch Bridges (pp 323-330)
Charles J, Smith C & Black J (2019) Automated reconstruction of soil stress-strain response from full field displacement measurements and loading data using optimisation.. . Proceedings of the XVII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering - ECSMGE, Vol. 1(1), 1 September 2019 - 6 September 2019.
Smith CC, Gilbert M, He L, González-Castejón J & Ouakka S (2019) Recent advances in the application of discontinuity layout optimization to geotechnical analysis and design problems. 17th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ECSMGE 2019 - Proceedings, Vol. 2019-September
Li H, Smith CC & Shepley P (2019) Discrete particle modelling of granular soils using a physics engine. 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 (pp 835-840). London, 17 July 2018 - 20 July 2018. View this article in WRRO
Gonzalez-Castejon J & Smith C (2018) Optimal design of reinforced slopes (pp 1377-1382) View this article in WRRO
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), 17 September 2017 - 17 September 2017. View this article in WRRO
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
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
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)
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) View this article in WRRO
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)
Ballard J & Smith C (2015) Ultimate uplift capacity of buried pipelines in undrained clay (pp 357-362)
da Silva M, Smith C & Jurko J (2015) Squeezing bearing capacity and effects of increasing strength with depth (pp 1299-1304)
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)
Pytlos M, Gilbert M & Smith C (2014) Simulation of granular soil behaviour using physics engines (pp 163-168)
Lincoln DL, Askes H, Smith CC, Cripps JC & Bennett T (2014) Coupled two-component flow in deformable fractured porous media with application to modelling geological carbon storage. 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)
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)
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) The Ultimate Uplift Capacity of Multi-Plate Anchors in Undrained Clay. Soil Behavior and Geo-Micromechanics
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, 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)
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) View this article in WRRO
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, Pritchard TJ, Haslam IW & Shepherd M (2009) Systematic identification of yield-line patterns in slabs. Concrete Communication Symposioum (pp 2). Leeds
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
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
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 (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
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)
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). Sheffield
Hao X & Smith CC (2005) Physical and chemical properties of acid tars. ConSoil 2005. Bordeaux
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
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
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). Sheffield
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). Sheffield, UK
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
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
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 View this article in WRRO

Research group

Computational Mechanics & Design

Geotechnical Engineering Discipline

Geotechnical centrifuges

Grants

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...

Professional activities

Co-founder and Director of the University spin-out company LimitState Ltd. 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.

Potential PhD offerings

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.