Skip to main content
My Department

Research

Research interests

Geophysical Testing and Subsurface Imaging

  • Numerical modeling of mechanical and electromagnetic wave propagation
  • Stochastic and deterministic inversion techniques, leveraging machine learning and AI
  • Full waveform tomography, refraction tomography, migration, and surface wave methods
  • Active and passive seismic surveys, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and electrical resistivity methods

Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation

  • Full waveform tomography (FWT), synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT), reverse time migration (RTM), and time-lapse imaging methods
  • Sonic and ultrasonic testing, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and electrical resistivity techniques

Soil-Foundation Dynamics

  • Numerical modeling of soil–foundation interaction
  • Dynamic testing for assessment of pile/shaft capacity and structural integrity
  • Evaluation of pile freeze effects and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) resistance factors

Recent research projects

  1. “Drilled shaft imaging with 2D ultrasonic waveform tomography” (PI: Tran K.T), Florida Department of Transportation, $303,000, 03/2024 to 09/2026.
  2. “Collaborative Research: 3D Ambient Noise Tomography (3D ANT) for Natural Hazards Engineering” (PIs: Tran K.T., Cox B.), National Science Foundation, $778,652 CMMI-1930697/1931162, 09/2019 to 08/2024.
  3. “Determination of in-situ rock density and strength with SH-Love wave tomography” (PI: Tran K.T., Co-PI: McVay M.), Florida Department of Transportation, $252,000 09/2022 to 05/2025.
  4. “Use of 3D Seismic Waveform Tomography with SPT-source for Geotechnical Site Characterization” (PI: Tran K.T., Co-PI: Wasman S/), Florida Department of Transportation, $338,799, 04/2022 to 03/2025.
  5. “Phase II: Field Load Testing of Shallow Foundations in Florida Limestone” (PI: McVay M, co-PIs: Rodgers M & Tran K.T.), Florida Department of Transportation, $348,388, 09/2019 to 12/2022.
  6. “In-service Assessment of Road Sinkholes with 2D Ambient Noise Tomography” (PI: Tran K.T.), Florida Department of Transportation, $200,000, 09/2019 to 08/2021.
  7. “Geotechnical Site Characterization with 3-D Full Seismic Waveform Tomography”, (PI: Tran K.T.), National Science Foundation, $206,216, CMMI-1637557, 07/2016 06/2020
  8. “RAPID/Collaborative Research: Spatial Variability of Small-Strain Stiffness, Go, and Effects on Ground Movements Related to Geotechnical Construction in Urban Areas”, (PI: Finno R., co-PIs: Stokoe K., Tran K.T.), National Science Foundation, $200,000, 08/2018 to 07/2020.
  9. “Sinkhole Detection with 3-D Full Elastic Waveform Tomography”, (PI: McVay M., co-PIs Tran K.T. and Wasman S.), Florida Department of Transportation, $322,441), 10/2017 to 06/2020.