Dr Sam Clarke

Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering

Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building
Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD

Telephone: +44 (0) 114 222 5703
Fax: +44 (0) 114 222 5700
Email: sam.clarke@sheffield.ac.uk
Room: D103a

Qualifications

MEng (Hons), PhD, PGcert, FHEA

Profile

Sam Clarke graduated from The University of Sheffield with a MEng (Hons) degree in Structural Engineering and Architecture in 2006. He then joined the Geotechnical Engineering Group and completed his PhD in 2009. During his doctorate studies Sam spent a number of periods working with Arup Geotechnics' Numerical Skills Team in London and the university spin-out company LimitState. He spent a short period as a Research Assistant before taking up the post of Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering in November 2009.

Over the past decade Sam has spent much time investigating the role of soil in blast events. This has led to many research collaborations with the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory. He is currently investigating the high stress, high strain-rate response of geomaterials experienced in blast loading events as well as novel techniques for the quantification of the loading in such events. He is now a core member of the Blast and Impact Dynamics research group.

His main research interests focus on:

• The role of soil in explosive events
• Numerical modelling of geotechnical problems
• Development of advanced constitutive models for soils
• Soil reinforcement and remediation techniques
• Quantification of rate effects in soils

Activities and Distinctions

• Recipient of the IStructE prize 1st year performance in 2002/03
• Awarded Jacobs Babtie prize for best UG dissertation in 2005/06
• ICE Yorkshire & Humber Student Papers Competition winner, 2006/07
• Senate Award for Learning and Teaching, 2011/12
• Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching, 2011/12, 2012/13

Grants

• 2014-2016: "The role of soil in explosive events" funded by EPSRC with additional support from DSTL and Blastech. Investigators: SD Clarke and A Tyas. Value: £125,180.
• 2013-2014: "Characterisation of Adobe Clay" funded by QinetiQ. Investigators: A Tyas, M Petkovski and SD Clarke. Value: £90,374.
• 2012-2016: "Characterisation of Blast Loading" funded by DSTL. Investigators: A Tyas, SD Clarke and J Warren. Value £480,000 (UoS £163,000).
• 2010: "Development of a Small-Scale Teaching Centrifuge" funded by HE Stem Award. Investigators: JA Black and SD Clarke. Value £10,000

Selected Publications