Biography

Dr. Yahya Nazhat joined the Department of Civil Engineering as an instructor in 2014. He worked as a Civil & Geotechnical Engineer in research, construction and consulting practice from 1983-2009 before pursing Ph.D. research during 2009 to 2013 from the University of Sydney (Australia). His PhD had a focus on Behaviour of Sandy Soil Subjected to Dynamic Loading, and is the first comprehensive body of research in the field of dynamic compaction that has investigated the fundamental physics of the dynamic compaction process and, importantly, has included a study of the micromechanics of particles movement.

Having held senior engineering and management positions in industry in both Australia and the Middle East, Dr. Nazhat has long experience in detailed geotechnical investigation and geotechnical studies associated with major infrastructure projects including highways, tunnels, high-rise buildings, airports and rail projects. He has years of experience in piling and deep foundation including design, construction and pile testing. He earned his BSc in Civil Engineering from University of Mosul and his MSc in Sanitary/Environmental Engineering from University of Baghdad. He is Chartered Professional Engineer in Australia, a registered professional engineer with the National Professional Engineers Register of Australia since 1997, and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

Research Interests

Ground improvement methods, specially GI by Dynamic Compaction; application of high speed photography in geotechnical research; geotechnical physical modelling

Courses

CIVL 303 Computational Tools in Civil Engineering

CIVL 410 Foundation Engineering I

CIVL 411 Foundation Engineering II

CIVL 445 Civil Engineering Design Project I

CIVL 446 Civil Engineering Design Project II

Awards & Recognitions

• 2019, Fourth Year Student Appreciation Award, UBC Civil Engineering Student Society
• 2010-2012, The Australian Postgraduate Research Award – Doctorate Scholarship
• 2010, James Kentley Memorial Scholarship, University of Sydney Grant-in-Aids
• 2010-2012, Civil Engineering Foundation Governors’ Research Scholarship, University of Sydney