Short Bio

Paulo Coelho received his PhD in Engineering from Cambridge University, UK, with a thesis entitled "In situ densification as a liquefaction resistance measure for bridge foundations", in 2007. He is currently Assistant Professor at the Geotechnical Research Group at the University of Coimbra, where he is responsible for teaching different geotechnical subjects at various academic levels, currently acting as the Head for the various subjects in the fields of Soil Mechanics, Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering and Experimental Techniques. He is also Director of the Geotechnical Laboratory of the University of Coimbra. He has been involved, mostly as a PI, in various research projects with relevant international collaborations with Cambridge University, Imperial College London and MIT, supervised various PhD and MSc students and published several papers in journals, books chapters and international and national conferences, organized various specialization courses for Geotechnical Engineers and worked as a consultant for large national and international projects, as detailed below.

Research Interests

Paulo Coelho carries out research focusing on the experimental characterization of conventional and unconventional geotechnical materials under static and dynamic conditions and on the physical (1-g and N-g) and numerical modelling of geotechnical problems, developing integrated approaches that aim at maximizing the research outcome for society benefit. Therefore, he considers unusual conditions typical of non-textbook materials or geotechnical problems, including the construction of embankments on soft organic soils, the performance of shallow foundations built on liquefiable ground, risk analysis and optimization-based decision tools for transportation infrastructures incorporating natural effects and the mechanical behaviour of contaminated soils and characterization of mining ore wastes or municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration bottom ashes. In the case of mining ore tailings and MSW incineration bottom ashes he has been actively involved in developing innovative geotechnical applications that promote the implementation of the concept of circular economy in the real world, also searching for interdisciplinary research approaches that ensure the environmental sustainability of these solutions by combining geotechnical and environmental knowledge.

Prizes

As a result of his activity, Paulo Coelho received 3 research awards from the Portuguese Geotechnical Society, including the Best MSc and PhD thesis by a Portuguese researcher in the relevant period (1 and 4 years, respectively) and the Best Journal Paper in Geotecnia, and also an Academic Award as a Laboratory Demonstrator from Cambridge University Engineering Departments Students Committee.

CV Links

CIÊNCIA Vitae: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/portal/9F1E-86BD-F018 

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6078-0393

UC: https://apps.uc.pt/mypage/faculty/dec_pac