Sai Sandeep Chitta
Postdoctoral researcher
Contact
Sai Sandeep Chitta
Postdoctoral researcher
About
Throughout his academic and professional journey, Sandeep has engaged in a wide array of projects and research topics centered on understanding soil behavior across various scales. This diverse experience has equipped him with a versatile skill set, encompassing the design and execution of bench-scale experiments, image analysis, microstructure characterization, computational modeling, and surface interferometry analysis. These skills have proven invaluable in solving complex problems in sustainable infrastructure, resource recovery, coastal resilience, geo-hazard mitigation, biomimetic geotechnics, and biologically mediated soil improvement. This wide range of applications showcases the adaptability of his expertise across diverse problem domains.
Presently, Sandeep is actively working with Professor Michelle Barry on a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded project centered on 3D printed soils. This innovative endeavor explores the concepts of biomimicry and biocementation to gain a deeper understanding of load transfer mechanisms in soil. The project combines practical experimentation with discrete element method (DEM) modeling, providing valuable insights into the subject.
Prior to his current role at UA, Sandeep served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Oregon State University (OSU), where he played an integral part in securing funding for two industry-sponsored projects ($240,000). These initiatives were specifically oriented towards the field-scale calibration of discrete element method (DEM) models, with Sandeep serving as a co-Principal Investigator. Additionally, at OSU, he actively engaged in the development and implementation of innovative biocementation techniques aimed at mitigating wind and water erosion of coastal dunes, a project funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Presently, Sandeep is actively working with Professor Michelle Barry on a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded project centered on 3D printed soils. This innovative endeavor explores the concepts of biomimicry and biocementation to gain a deeper understanding of load transfer mechanisms in soil. The project combines practical experimentation with discrete element method (DEM) modeling, providing valuable insights into the subject.
Prior to his current role at UA, Sandeep served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Oregon State University (OSU), where he played an integral part in securing funding for two industry-sponsored projects ($240,000). These initiatives were specifically oriented towards the field-scale calibration of discrete element method (DEM) models, with Sandeep serving as a co-Principal Investigator. Additionally, at OSU, he actively engaged in the development and implementation of innovative biocementation techniques aimed at mitigating wind and water erosion of coastal dunes, a project funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Research Interests:
- Granular mechanics from micro-to-macro scales
- Bio-mediation techniques for soil improvement
- Bio-inspired geotechnics
- Surface interferometry analysis
- Digital image analysis
- Material models for discrete element method (DEM)
Certifications
Engineering Intern License Oregon - 102513EI
Work experience
Postdoctoral Research Associate October 2023- Present
Civil Engineering, University of Arkansas
Developer
Learning Outcomes, Criteria and Rationale (LOCR) for general education at Oregon State University
Postdoctoral researcher December 2020- September 2023
Civil Engineering, Oregon State University
Instructor December 2021 - Present
Civil Engineering, Oregon State University
Postdoctoral researcher November 2019- November 2020
University of Oklahoma
Civil Engineering, University of Arkansas
Developer
Learning Outcomes, Criteria and Rationale (LOCR) for general education at Oregon State University
Postdoctoral researcher December 2020- September 2023
Civil Engineering, Oregon State University
Instructor December 2021 - Present
Civil Engineering, Oregon State University
Postdoctoral researcher November 2019- November 2020
University of Oklahoma
Education
Ph.D. in Civil engineering , City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (2019)
M. Tech in Geotechnical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India (2016)
B. Tech in Civil Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, India (2013)
M. Tech in Geotechnical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India (2016)
B. Tech in Civil Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, India (2013)
Research Funding & Grants
- Site-specific calibration of DEM material models (Role: Co-PI), $120,000 Sponsor: Oregon Metals Initiative & ESCO Group LLC
- Balancing cut and fill: the excavation, compaction, and engineering response of pumiceous soils (proposal submitted, Role: Co-PI)
Academic awards
- First author of Editor’s Choice Selection paper, Canadian Geotechnical Journal (2020)
- Outstanding academic performance award (2018)
- Outstanding Academic performance award (2017)
- Ringo Yu Prize for Best PhD Thesis in Geotechnical Studies by HKIE Geotechnical Division Committee (2020)
Distinctions of students supervised
- Co-supervisor of Ms LAU Tsz Ying Abby (City University), receiving "Best Final Year Project Award 2018" by ASCE Hong Kong Section.
- Co-supervisor of Ms CHAU Ka Ki (City University), receiving "Best Final Year Project Award 2019" by ASCE Hong Kong Section.
Professional Service
- Industry Exploration Program Coordinator, OSU Postdoctoral Association
- Developer for Learning Outcomes, Criteria and Rationale (LOCR) for general education at Oregon State University
Technical Reviewer
- ASCE Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
- ASME Journal of Tribology
- ASTM Journal of Testing and Evaluation
- ASTM Advances in Civil Engineering Materials
- Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment
- Construction and Building Materials Geomechanics and Geoengineering: An International Journal Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-energy and Geo-resources
- Geosynthetics International
- Géotechnique
- Granular Matter
- International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics
- Mathematical Problems in Engineering
- Scientific Reports
- Remote Sensing Letters
- Soils and Foundations
