Geotechnical and GeoHazards Systems (GHS)

The Geotechnical and GeoHazards Systems (GHS) program seeks to advance the fundamental engineering and related knowledge for geostructures (foundations, slopes, excavations, soil and rock improvement technologies, and reinforcement systems); geohazards mitigation; constitutive modeling and verification; remediation and containment of geoenvironmental contamination; transferability of laboratory results to field scale; and non-destructive and in situ evaluation. GHS support is given for research that will increase geotechnical and geohazards knowledge necessary to mitigate the impacts of natural and technological hazards on both the constructed and the natural environment. A broad spectrum of research is supported, including the use of data from laboratory and field experiments to verify design procedures and methodologies, simulation of phenomena, collection of data from catastrophic events, including rapid-response reconnaissance inspections.

Geomechanics and Geotechnical Systems (GGS)

The research portfolio for the Geomechanics and Geotechnical Systems (GGS) program element includes projects on geomechanics, geotechnical engineering, problem soils, weak rocks, rock mechanics and rock engineering, and mining engineering. Support is given for research that will increase geotechnical knowledge for foundations, slopes, excavations and other geostructures, including soil and rock improvement technologies and reinforcement systems; constitutive modeling and verification in geomechanics; transferability of laboratory results to field scale; and non-destructive, remote and in situ evaluation of soil and rock properties.

Geoenvironmental Engineering and GeoHazards Mitigation (GEH)

The research portfolio for the Geoenvironmental Engineering and GeoHazards Mitigation (GEH) program element includes projects on geoenvironmental engineering, including physical, chemical, thermal and biological processes that affect the properties of geologic materials; contaminant transport and hydraulic properties of geologic materials involved in surface and subsurface flow; and construction for remediation and containment of geoenvironmental contamination. The GEH program also supports research in geological engineering and engineering geology, geotechnical earthquake engineering and strong ground motions, piping (particle erosion, transport, and deposition), scouring, tsunamis (both earthquake and non-earthquake generated), landslides and debris flows, forest fires, droughts and floods.