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Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group

 

Biography

Sam has a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (2007) and a Doctorate in Geotechnical Engineering (2011), both awarded by the University of Sheffield. Following award of his doctorate Sam moved to the University of Western Australia to work at the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems where he worked on a wide range of geotechnical problems related to the offshore energy sector, on both oil and gas and offshore renewable energy (wind and wave energy in particular) related applications.

Previous research has resulted in – to name a few – methods for predicting the “punch-through” or “crème brûlée” failure of jack-up rigs, new tools for subsea pipeline soil interaction assessment, numerical techniques for measuring displacements in images, and a simple model that explains why sand castles stand up!

Current research interests revolve around the “whole-life” modelling of soil and geostructure response, acknowledging that soil changes state and thus strength and stiffness due to loading, which can have significant effects on the performance of infrastructure throughout their design life. This work is developing new constitutive models for soft soils with non-local regularisation, methods to calibrate constitutive parameters using digital imaging techniques and simple design methods that account for the evolution of soil properties with time for industrial application.

Research

Problems

  • Offshore foundations
  • Pipeline-soil interaction (PSI)
  • In-situ testing methods
  • Shallow penetrometers for PSI
  • Jack-up rig foundations and "punch-through"
  • "Whole-life" modelling of infrastructure
  • Strain-softening-hardening constitutive models
  • Unsaturated soil mechanics

Methods

  • Centrifuge modelling
  • Laboratory testing
  • Large deformation numerical analysis
  • Image-based deformation measurement

Publications

Key publications: 

Journal Articles

[27] Schneider, M.A., Stanier, S.A., Chatterjee, S., White, D.J. & Randolph, M.F. (2018). The parkable piezoprobe for determining cv and strength – modelling and interpretation techniques. Géotechnique, ahead of print online, doi: 10.1680/jgeot.18.P.004.

[26] Stanier, S.A. & White, D.J. (2018). Enhancement of bearing capacity from consolidation: due to changing strength or failure mechanism? Géotechnique, ahead of print online, doi: 10.1680/jgeot.17.t.030.

[25] Hambleton, J.P. & Stanier, S.A. (2017). Predicting wheel forces using bearing capacity theory for general planar loads. International Journal of Vehicle Performance, doi: 10.1504/IJVP.2017.10002328.

[24] Ullah, S.N., Stanier, S.A., White, D.J. & Hu, Y. (2017). Foundation punch-through in clay with sand: centrifuge modelling. Géotechnique, 67(10): 870-889, doi: 10.1680/jgeot.16.P.100.

[23] Teng, Y., Stanier, S.A. & Gourvenec, S. (2017). Synchronised multi-scale image analysis of soil deformations. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 17(1): 53-71. doi:10.1680/jphmg.15.00058. 

[22] Ullah, S.N., Stanier, S.A., White, D.J. & Hu, Y. (2016). Foundation punch-through in clay with sand: analytical modelling. Géotechnique, 67(10):870-889, doi:10.1680/jgeot.16.P.101.

[21] Ragni, R., Wang, D., Mašín, D., Bienen, B., Cassidy, M.J. & Stanier, S.A. (2016). Numerical modelling of the effects of consolidation on jack-up spudcan penetration. Computers and Geotechnics, ahead of print online, doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.05.002.

[20] Ullah, S.N, Hu, Y., Stanier, S.A. & White, D.J. (2016). Lateral boundary effects in centrifuge foundation tests. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, ahead of print online, doi:10.1680/jphmg.15.00034.

[19] Stanier, S.A., Dijkstra, J., Lesniewska, D., Hambleton, J., White, D.J. & Muir Wood, D. (2016). Vermiculate artefacts in image analysis of granular materials. Computers and Geotechnics, 72: 100-113, doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2015.11.013. 

[18] Stanier, S.A., Blaber, J., Take, W.A. & White, D.J. (2016). Improved image-based deformation measurement for geotechnical applications. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 53: 1-13, doi:10.1139/cgj-2015-0253.

[17] Hu, P., Stanier, S.A., Wang, D. & Cassidy, M.J. (2015). Effect of footing shape on penetration in sand overlying clay. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, doi:10.1680/jphmg.15.00013.

[16] Hu, P., Stanier, S.A., Wang, D. & Cassidy, M.J. (2015). A comparison of full profile prediction methods for a spudcan penetrating sand overlying clay. Géotechnique Letters, 5(3): 131-139, doi:10.1680/jgele.15.00051.

[15] Hu, P., Wang, D., Stanier, S.A. & Cassidy, M.J. (2015). Assessing the punch-through hazard of a spudcan on sand overlying clay. Géotechnique, 65(11): 883-896, doi:10.1680/jgeot.14.P.097.

[14] Bienen, B., Ragni, R., Cassidy, M.J. & Stanier, S.A. (2015). Effects of consolidation under a penetrating footing in carbonate silty clay. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 141(9): 1-15, doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001339.

[13] Stanier, S.A., White, D.J., Chatterjee, S., Brunning, P. & Randolph, M.F. (2015). A tool for ROV-based seabed friction measurement. Applied Ocean Research, 50: 155-162, doi:10.1016/j.apor.2015.01.016.

[12] Hambleton, J.P., Stanier, S.A., Gaudin, C. & Todeshkejoei, C. (2014). Analysis of installation forces for helical piles in clay. Australian Geomechanics Society, 49(4): 73-80.

[11] Hambleton, J.P., Stanier, S.A., White, D.J. & Sloan, S.W. (2014). Modelling ploughing and cutting processes in soils. Australian Geomechanics Society, 49(4): 147-156.

[10] Ullah, S.N., Hu, Y., White, D.J. & Stanier, S.A. (2014). Lateral boundary effect in centrifuge tests for spudcan penetration in uniform clay. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 553: 458-463, doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.553.458.

[9] Stanier, S.A., Ragni, R., Bienen, B., & Cassidy, M.J. (2014). Observing the effects of sustained loading on a spudcan footing in clay. Géotechnique, 64(11): 918-926, doi:10.1680/geot.1-4.003. 

[8] Stanier, S.A. & White, D.J. (2014). Shallow penetrometer penetration resistance. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 141(3): 1-12, doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001257.

[7] Ullah, S.N., Hu, Y., White, D.J. & Stanier, S.A. (2014). LDFE study of bottom boundary effects in foundation model tests. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 14(3): 80-87, doi:10.1680/ijpmg.14.00004.

[6] Hu, P., Wang, D., Cassidy, M.J. & Stanier, S.A. (2014). Predicting the resistance profile of a spudcan penetrating sand overlying clay. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 51(10): 1151-1164, doi:10.1139/cgj-2013-0374.

[5] Hu, P., Stanier, S.A., Cassidy, M.J. & Wang, D. (2014). Predicting the peak punch-through resistance of a spudcan penetrating sand overlying clay. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 140(2): 1-12, doi:10.1061/GT.1943-5606.0001016.

[4] Stanier, S.A. & White, D.J. (2013). Improved image based deformation measurement for the centrifuge environment. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 36(6): 915-927, doi:10.1520/GTJ20140044.

[3] Stanier, S.A., Black, J.A. & Hird, C.C. (2013). Modelling helical screw piles in clay and design implications. Geotechnical Engineering, 167(5): 447-460, doi:10.1680/geng.13.00021.

[2] Stanier, S.A. & Tarantino, A. (2013). An approach for predicting the stability of vertical cuts in cohesionless soils above the water table. Journal of Engineering Geology, 148(5): 98-108, doi:10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.03.012.

[1] Stanier, S.A., Black, J.A. & Hird, C.C. (2012). Enhancing accuracy and precision of transparent synthetic soil modelling. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 12(4): 162-175, doi:10.1680/ijpmg.12.00005. 

Conference Articles

[15] Teng, Y., Stanier, S.A. & Gourvenec, S.M. (2017). Analysis of failure mechanisms in silica and carbonate sands beneath a strip foundation under vertical loading. ASME 2017 36th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Madrid, Spain.

[14] White, D.J., Stanier, S.A., Schneider, M.A., O’Loughlin, C.D., Chow, S.H., Randolph, M.F., Draper, S.D., Mohr, H & Morton, J. (2017). Remote intelligent geotechnical seabed surveys – technology emerging from the RIGSS JIP. 2017 SUT OSIG Conference, London, UK.

[13] O’Loughlin, C.D., White, D.J. & Stanier, S.A. (2017). Plate anchors for mooring floating facilities – a view towards unlocking cost and risk benefits. 2017 SUT OSIG Conference, London, UK.

[12] Gourvenec, S.G., Stanier, S.A. & White, D.J. (2017). Whole-life assessment of subsea shallow foundation capacity. 2017 SUT OSIG Conference, London, UK.

[C11] Hu, P., Cassidy, M. J., Wang, D. & Stanier, S. A. (2015). Spudcan penetration analysis for three case histories in sand overlying clay. Proceedings of Jack-Up Conference 2015. London, UK.

[C10] O’Loughlin, C.D., White, D.J. & Stanier, S.A. (2015). Novel anchoring solutions for FLNG-opportunities driven by scale. Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, USA.

[C9] Kashizadeh, E., Hambleton, J.P. & Stanier, S.A. (2014). A numerical approach for modelling the ploughing process in sands. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, Kyoto, Japan.

[C8] Todeshkejoei, C., Hambleton, J.P., Stanier, S.A. & Gaudin, C. (2014). Modelling installation of helical anchors in clay. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, Kyoto, Japan.

[C7] Stanier, S.A., Breen, J. & White, D.J. (2014). A compact high-speed image capture system for a drum centrifuge. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Perth, Australia. pp 241-246.

[C6] Ullah, S.N., Stanier, S.A., White, D.J. & Hu, Y. (2014). Using the ‘step zero’ approach to design a centrifuge modelling program. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Perth, Australia, pp 397-403.

[C5] Ullah, S.N., Hu, Y., White, D.J. & Stanier, S.A. (2013). Lateral boundary effect in centrifuge tests for spudcan penetration in uniform clay. Proceedings of the 1st Australasian Conference on Computational Mechanics (ACCM 2013), Sydney, Australia.

[C4] Stanier, S.A., Hu, P., Cassidy, M.J. & Wang, D. (2012). Calibration of a model to predict the peak punch-through penetration resistance of a spudcan on sand overlying clay. Proceedings of the 2nd European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (Eurofuge 2012), Delft, Netherlands.

[C3] Stanier, S. A. & Tarantino, A. (2010). Active earth pressure in ‘cohesionless’ unsaturated soils using bound theorems of plasticity. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, Barcelona, Spain, pp 1081-1086.

[C2] Hird, C.C. & Stanier, S.A. (2010). Modelling helical screw piles in clay using a transparent soil. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Zurich, Switzerland. pp 769-774.

[C1] Black, J.A., Stanier, S.A. & Clarke, S.D. (2009). Shear wave velocity measurement of Kaolin during undrained unconsolidated triaxial compression. Proceedings of the 62nd Canadian Geotechnical Conference, Halifax, Canada.

Teaching and Supervisions

Teaching: 
  • Structural Design Course
  • IB Structures Supervisions
University Senior Lecturer
Fellow of Christ's College
Dr Sam  Stanier

Contact Details

Trumpington Street
Cambridge
CB2 1PZ
+44 (0) 7856 009042
Takes PhD students

Affiliations

Classifications: