Geotechnics

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Since the founding of the Institute of Engineering, the Geotechnics department has contributed to works of vital importance to the economic development of Mexico, as in the case of dams to generate electricity, highway tunnels, deep drainage of the City of Mexico, coastal works, among others.

Researchers of the department have participated in the generation of new knowledge and in defining the development of geotechnical engineering in the country. The department can highlight its contributions to the foundation engineering through analysis and design of dams, modeling the behavior of earth materials and the applications of novel techniques based on neural networks combined with fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms and pattern recognition for solving a wide variety of geotechnical problems.

The vast experience developed in the department as well as the prestige of the results offered in their research projects, allow to count among its sponsors various public sector institutions and private enterprises, which, amongst others, include the Federal Electricity Commission, the Mexican Institute of Transportation, the National Water Commission, the Government of the Federal District, Ingenieros Civiles Asociados, Grupo Mexico and Petróleos Mexicanos. The academic staff of the Geotechnics department consists of seven academic researchers and four technicians. All seven researchers have doctoral degrees, five of them belong to the National System of Researchers and one is an emeritus researcher of the UNAM. One of the academic technicians has a PhD, two hold Masters in Engineering degrees and one has a B.S. degree.

This department traditionally has accommodated a large number of research assistants and currently has 6 undergraduate students, 16 masters and 14 doctoral students.

In November 2010, the Department of Geotechnics and the Department of Highways and Roads merged by agreement of the Internal Council of our institute. Thus, the Geotechnics Department was enhanced by incorporating the participation and expertise of other researchers and an additional academic technician. The Laboratory of Highways and Roads, currently under renovation and modernization, is now part of the Geotechnics Department.

The Geotechnical Laboratory is located in building 4 Raul J. Marsal, Circuito Escolar, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico DF. It also has geo information lab located in the Tower of Engineering, Circuito Escolar, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico DF. Finally, the Laboratory of Highways and Roads, is located in building 6 Fernando Espinoza, Circuito Escolar, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico DF.