Hem Bahadur Motra | Rock Mechanics | Applied Engineering Award

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Dr. Hem Bahadur Motra | Rock Mechanics | Applied Engineering Award

Lecturer, Christian Albrecht University of Kiel, Germany

Dr. Hem Bahadur Motra is a distinguished geomechanics expert and academic leader with a German nationality and South Asian roots. He currently serves as the Head of the Geomechanics Experimental Laboratory at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel and holds lecturing positions at both Kiel University and the University of Applied Sciences Kiel. His interdisciplinary expertise spans rock mechanics, structural engineering, and geotechnical testing. Renowned for his international collaborations and practical research applications, Dr. Motra has been affiliated with premier institutions across Europe, Asia, and North America. His scientific work integrates multiscale experimental modeling, anisotropic behavior of rocks, and geotechnical system responses under complex stress conditions. Beyond academia, he consults for engineering firms in Germany, Nepal, and the U.S., translating complex research into applied solutions. Dr. Motra is a forward-thinking researcher committed to developing sustainable subsurface engineering practices through innovation, data integration, and high-fidelity experimental validation.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Hem Bahadur Motra has pursued a progressive academic trajectory in civil engineering, specializing in geomechanics and structural engineering. He earned his Doctorate in Engineering (Dr.-Ing.) from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar with the highest distinction, focusing on quality assessment of structural experimental models. His Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on Geotechnics and Infrastructure was awarded by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover, with excellent academic performance. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, graduating with distinction. Dr. Motra is currently finalizing his Habilitation at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, focusing on the multiscale and multipurpose integration of rock physics and geomechanics. His education is enriched by fellowships and scholarships from prestigious organizations, including DAAD and national academic institutions. His academic foundation blends strong analytical theory with a practical, problem-solving approach, making him a leader in both scientific inquiry and real-world application.

Experience

Dr. Motra brings extensive professional and academic experience across universities, research institutes, and engineering consultancies. He leads the Geomechanics Experimental Laboratory at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, where he also teaches courses in marine and terrestrial geotechnics. He lectures at the University of Applied Sciences Kiel in civil engineering, and formerly contributed to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar as a research assistant. Internationally, he has completed multiple research stays across Europe, North America, and Asia, working with leading experts in rock physics, shale hydrocarbon exploration, and underground construction. Additionally, he co-founded Geocom International Pvt. Ltd. in Nepal, focusing on geotechnical investigation, tunneling, and subsoil surveys. His consulting experience includes collaborations with Babendererde Engineers (Germany), Engineering and Testing Service Inc. (USA), and Kastamandap Associate Pvt Ltd (Nepal). His work integrates research, teaching, consulting, and experimentation—making him an applied engineering professional with global influence and technical depth.

Research Focus

Dr. Hem Bahadur Motra’s research bridges the gap between theoretical rock mechanics and applied geotechnical engineering. His central focus is on the multiscale behavior of anisotropic rocks under true-triaxial and thermal stress environments. He investigates micromechanical properties of kerogen-rich formations, deformation in high-rank coals, and the behavior of shale under varying lithological and stress conditions. His approach emphasizes experimental validation using advanced triaxial apparatus, with applications in deep tunneling, underground energy storage, and hydrocarbon recovery. Dr. Motra also explores quality control techniques for structural experimental models and integrates numerical modeling to simulate real-world geotechnical behavior. His work has strong implications in sustainable infrastructure design, underground construction, and the geotechnical challenges of climate-resilient development. By combining laboratory precision, field knowledge, and modeling expertise, Dr. Motra contributes to safer and more efficient engineering solutions in both marine and terrestrial environments.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Elastic properties of anisotropic rocks using a stepwise loading framework in a true triaxial testing apparatus
Journal: Geoenergy Science and Engineering
Authors: Hem Bahadur Motra et al.
Summary: This study investigates the elastic response of anisotropic rocks under multiaxial loading. A custom true-triaxial apparatus was used to capture stiffness variations and directional dependency in rock specimens. Results help improve geomechanical models for underground construction and energy extraction.

Title: Influence of lithological contrast on elastic anisotropy of shales under true-triaxial stress and thermal conditions
Journal: International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences
Authors: Hem Bahadur Motra et al.
Summary: This paper examines how lithological heterogeneity affects shale behavior under combined stress and temperature conditions. Findings aid in optimizing hydraulic fracturing and subsurface fluid flow simulations.

Title: Elastic anisotropy and deformation characteristics of Pennsylvania anthracite
Journal: International Journal of Coal Geology
Authors: Hem Bahadur Motra et al.
Summary: Focuses on deformation and elastic responses of high-rank coals. The study provides insight into coal seam stability and gas extraction efficiency, with implications for mine safety.

Title: Micromechanical variation of organic matter (kerogen type I) under controlled thermal maturity progression
Journal: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Authors: Hem Bahadur Motra et al.
Summary: Analyzes the microstructural and mechanical evolution of kerogen under simulated thermal aging. Results assist in understanding source rock maturation and improving petroleum system models.

Conclusion

Dr. Motra exemplifies the spirit of applied engineering through his blend of academic excellence, international collaboration, and field-relevant innovation. His contributions directly address challenges in geotechnical and subsurface engineering, making his candidacy highly suitable and compelling for the Research for Applied Engineering Award.

Nathanaël Savalle | Geotechnics | Young Scientist Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Nathanaël Savalle | Geotechnics | Young Scientist Award 

Lecturer, Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont Auvergne INP, CNRS, Pascal Institute, France

Dr. Nathanaël Savalle, born on December 16, 1993, is a French post-doctoral researcher at the Universidade do Minho, Portugal. He specializes in civil engineering, focusing on the seismic behavior of masonry and dry stone structures. With fluency in English, French, German, and Portuguese, Nathanaël has contributed to the development of experimental and numerical methodologies for assessing the performance of historical structures under seismic loads. He works under the supervision of Pr. Paulo B. Lourenço at the Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE). He has collaborated extensively on various high-impact projects related to masonry structures, including shaking table and dynamic tests. His dedication to structural mechanics and his multi-disciplinary expertise make him a valuable contributor to his field. Nathanaël’s research interests also include geotechnics, discrete element modeling, and limit analysis.

Profile

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Strengths for the Award

  1. Expertise in Innovative Research Areas: Nathanaël Savalle has demonstrated expertise in niche areas of civil engineering, particularly in the seismic behavior of masonry structures, dry stone retaining walls, and geotechnics. His research on dry-stone structures and their dynamic and seismic responses stands out, which is highly relevant for contemporary challenges in structural engineering, especially in the preservation of historical buildings and resilience against earthquakes.
  2. Significant Research Contributions: He has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, including publications in high-impact journals like Engineering Structures and Construction and Building Materials. His work covers both experimental and numerical aspects of structural behavior, including discrete element modeling (DEM), shaking table tests, and limit analysis. This breadth of expertise, paired with practical testing (e.g., shaking table tests), is an asset to advancing the understanding of masonry and geotechnics under seismic loads.
  3. Multidisciplinary Approach: His research utilizes a combination of advanced modeling techniques (such as DEM and Finite Element Method) and practical experimental validation (e.g., shaking table and rocking tests). This multidisciplinary approach strengthens the reliability and applicability of his findings, which are valuable not only in structural engineering but also in fields like geotechnics and seismic risk assessment.
  4. International and Collaborative Research: Nathanaël’s involvement in research at the University of Minho, Portugal, and collaborations across several institutions, including the University of Lyon, École Centrale de Lyon, and others, shows his ability to work in international teams. His participation in European research projects (e.g., ERC-funded projects) highlights his contribution to the scientific community at a global level.
  5. Teaching and Mentoring: He has shown strong teaching and mentoring abilities, guiding students at the undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. This is an important indicator of his commitment to knowledge transfer and fostering the next generation of researchers and engineers.
  6. Awards and Recognition: Nathanaël has received multiple awards, such as the 1st place at the IMC10 student competition and the jury’s congratulations for his engineering degree, which further solidify his standing as an outstanding young researcher in his field.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Wider Research Dissemination: While Nathanaël’s work has been published in high-impact journals, there may be potential to increase the dissemination of his research to broader audiences outside academia, such as in professional engineering networks, policy-making circles, and industry collaborations. Engaging more with industry applications and challenges could help bridge the gap between academic research and real-world implementation.
  2. Broader Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Though Nathanaël’s work is already multidisciplinary, expanding his research collaborations to include experts in related fields, such as urban planning, heritage preservation, or computational modeling in architecture, could enhance the applicability of his work in other domains, leading to more innovative solutions.
  3. Public Outreach and Communication: Given the technical nature of his research, there may be an opportunity for Nathanaël to increase his involvement in public outreach or public lectures to make complex engineering concepts more accessible to non-expert audiences. This could also help in highlighting the importance of preserving historical structures and enhancing building resilience against earthquakes, making his research more impactful on a societal level.

Education

Nathanaël Savalle completed his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Lyon (2016-2019), where he focused on the seismic behavior of slope dry stone retaining walls. He was supervised by Professors Éric Vincens and Stéphane Hans, receiving the prestigious MESR grant for his research. He also holds a Research Master in Civil Engineering (MEGA) from the University of Lyon, with a grade of 15.5/20, where he studied topics such as viscoelasticity and structural dynamics. In addition, Nathanaël earned an Engineering degree from École Centrale de Lyon in 2016, ranking 1st in his class (40 students) with a specialization in civil engineering. His undergraduate studies covered a broad range of topics, including reinforced concrete, soils mechanics, structural dynamics, acoustics, and renewable energies. Nathanaël’s strong academic foundation in both practical and theoretical aspects of civil engineering underpins his current research expertise.

Experience

Dr. Nathanaël Savalle has extensive experience in the field of civil engineering, particularly in the seismic behavior of masonry and dry stone structures. Since 2020, he has been a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Minho, Portugal, working on the ERC-funded Stand4Heritage project. His research focuses on understanding the seismic behavior of historical buildings, specifically masonry arches, through laboratory shaking table tests, dynamic simulations, and material characterization. Nathanaël’s Ph.D. research (2016-2019) at École Centrale de Lyon addressed the seismic response of dry stone retaining walls, where he applied discrete element methods (DEM) and conducted large-scale experimental shaking table tests. He has also worked on various research projects, including those on soil mechanics, hydraulic properties, and structural behavior. His experience includes supervising doctoral students, contributing to international collaborations, and publishing numerous high-impact articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Nathanaël Savalle has received multiple honors and awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions to civil engineering research. In 2018, he was awarded the first prize at the IMC10 student competition in Milan for his innovative design of a masonry shear wall with enhanced resistance. Nathanaël also received the prestigious Jury’s Congratulations upon completing his Engineer’s degree from École Centrale de Lyon in 2016, where he ranked 1st out of 40 students. His research excellence was further acknowledged when he was awarded the MESR Ph.D. grant from the ED MEGA doctoral school for his doctoral studies on dry-stone structure behavior. Nathanaël’s achievements demonstrate his dedication to advancing the field of structural engineering, particularly in the assessment of historical and masonry structures. His research contributions continue to have a lasting impact on the academic community and industry practices.

Research Focus

Dr. Nathanaël Savalle’s primary research focus lies in understanding and improving the seismic behavior of masonry and dry stone structures, which are critical components of historical and cultural heritage. His work includes conducting both experimental and numerical studies on the dynamic and static behavior of dry-joint masonry walls, retaining systems, and masonry arches under seismic loading. He employs a combination of advanced testing techniques, such as shaking table tests, dynamic simulations, and discrete element methods (DEM), to assess the performance of these structures during earthquakes. Nathanaël’s research aims to provide accurate modeling and assessment tools for seismic design, offering guidelines for the protection of historical buildings. He is also engaged in the development of limit analysis methods and homogenization techniques to improve the efficiency and precision of structural assessments. His interdisciplinary approach spans structural dynamics, geotechnics, and material characterization, making his research highly relevant for modern engineering challenges in heritage conservation.

Publication Top Notes

  1. “Experimental characterisation of dry-joint masonry structures: Interface stiffness and interface damping” 🏛️ by Georgios Vlachakis, Carla Colombo, Anastasios I. Giouvanidis, Nathanaël Savalle, Paulo B. Lourenço 🏗️ Construction and Building Materials (2023)
  2. “Static and seismic design of Dry Stone Retaining Walls (DSRWs) following Eurocode standards” 🧱 by Nathanaël Savalle, Christine Monchal, Eric Vincens, Sten Forcioli, Paulo B. Lourenço 🏛️ Engineering Structures (2023)
  3. “A concurrent micro/macro FE-model optimized with a limit analysis tool for the assessment of dry-joint masonry structures” 🏛️ by Nathanaël Savalle 🧱 International Journal for Multiscale Computational Engineering (2022)
  4. “Dynamic behaviour of drystone retaining walls: shaking table scaled-down tests” 🏛️ by N. Savalle, J. Blanc-Gonnet, E. Vincens, S. Hans ⚒️ European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering (2022)
  5. “Dynamic Numerical Simulations of Dry-Stone Retaining Walls: Identification of the Seismic Behaviour Factor” 🧱 by Nathanaël Savalle, Eric Vincens, Stéphane Hans, Paulo B. Lourenço 🌍 Geosciences (2022)
  6. “Joint Stiffness Influence on the First-Order Seismic Capacity of Dry-Joint Masonry Structures: Numerical DEM Investigations” 🏛️ by Nathanaël Savalle, Paulo B. Lourenço, Gabriele Milani 🔧 Applied Sciences (2022)
  7. “Experimental and numerical studies on scaled-down dry-joint retaining walls: Pseudo-static approach to quantify the resistance of a dry-joint brick retaining wall” 🧱 by Nathanaël Savalle, Éric Vincens, Stéphane Hans 🔬 Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering (2020)
  8. “Pseudo-static scaled-down experiments on dry stone retaining walls: Preliminary implications for the seismic design” 🧱 by Savalle, N., Vincens, E., Hans, S. ⚒️ Engineering Structures (2018)

Conclusion

Nathanaël Savalle is highly deserving of the Research for Young Scientist Award. His solid foundation in civil engineering, particularly in the seismic analysis of dry-stone structures, and his ability to combine experimental techniques with advanced computational models, make him a valuable contributor to the field. His research has significant potential for real-world applications in structural resilience and historical preservation. With continued collaboration, broader dissemination, and enhanced outreach efforts, Nathanaël is well-positioned to make even greater contributions to his field and society as a whole.