Dr Juan Bernal-Sanchez's Recognition (15)

2015 University Medal Winner in Civil Engineering

Institute of Civil Engineers Prize

Best oral presentation at the 14th BGA Young Geotechnical Engineers� Symposium (2016)

2017 Public Speaking Competition organised by Institution of Structural Engineers

Poster and Presentation Competition 2017 organised by ICE Scottish Geotechnical Group

Edinburgh Napier Impact Magazine. From cycle paths to seismic maths

Newton Bhabha PhD Placements Programme granted by British Council in collaboration with Department of Science & Technology

Indonesia earthquake: how scrap tyres could stop buildings collapsing

Neum�ticos contra los terremotos

Terremoto en Indonesia: neum�ticos reciclados para evitar el derrumbe de edificios

Neum�ticos reciclados para evitar el derrumbe de edificios

Geotechnical Seismic Isolation technology with Rubber-Soil Trenches for earthquake resilience of existing structures (ERIES-GSIRST)
2024 - 2025

Recognition Type	Fellowships and Awards
Description	The main objective of this project is to develop a Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) system using Rubber-soil mixtures (RSm), derived from vehicle tyres, to enhance the resistance of existing civil constructions in earthquake-prone areas. This innovative and sustainable construction technology has the potential to protect human lives and reduce the economic and environmental impact of seismic events. Although some progress has been made in the use of GSI technologies to mitigate seismic accelerations, the application of such complex materials in permanent long-term constructions requires further research. The proposed approach involves testing the GSI via a field-scale foundation-structure at EUROPROTEAS facility in Thessaloniki to demonstrate its effectiveness in minimising the impact of earthquakes. Provisionally, a total of 69,000 euros have been allocated for the projects to be conducted at Thessaloniki for a duration of 1 year. An additional 5,000 euros will be allocated to host the user group from ENU, to travel and assist to the experiments when they take place between November 2024 and November 2025.
Affiliated Organisations	Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki
Research Areas	Carbon Emissions Civil Engineering Ethics and sustainability
Research Themes	AI and Technologies Environment
Research Centres/Groups	Engineering Research Group
Org Units	School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment
URL	https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058684

An Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Behaviour and Sustainability of Stabilised Peats with Rock Flour
2023 - 2023

Recognition Type	Fellowships and Awards
Description	This study will aim at conducting an experimental investigation to prove the enhanced mechanics of a stabilised peat soil with the use of glacial rock flour. Preliminary research has already been undertaken as part of a 4th year student dissertation in the current academic year. The results show that the compressive strength of stabilised peat can increase significantly (approx. ten times) with the addition of only 15% of rock flour. The latter highlights an enhanced mechanical performance. However, the investigation has been limited to only one type of peat. Additional features need to be studied including: i) state of peat degradation, ii) % of by-product, iii) curing time and conditions. Higher rock flour content, especially in the range of 0% to 30%, generally resulted in increased stresses at 10% strain. However, at 45% rock flour, stress values showed a slight decline at 21 days compared to 14 days. Moreover, analysis across different testing durations (0 days, 14 days, and 21 days) indicates a trend of increasing shear strength over time. Nevertheless, determining the optimal rock flour content for stabilisation necessitates further investigation. This project surpassed initial expectations due to robust collaboration with a significant Scottish construction company (Taylor Wimpey) and SEPA, alongside invaluable insights from a real case study. A comprehensive 60-page report authored by research assistant Mr Eshan Karunarathna, funded internally by a small research grant (£6.5k), is now accessible within ENU. Additionally, a paper has been accepted for presentation at the esteemed GeoCongress in Vancouver scheduled for March 2024, where Dr Juan Bernal-Sanchez will present the findings
Research Areas	Carbon Emissions Civil Engineering Ethics and sustainability
Research Themes	Environment Health
Research Centres/Groups	Engineering Research Group
Org Units	School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment

Environmental Impact Of Housing Construction On Peatland
2022 - 2022

Recognition Type	Fellowships and Awards
Description	Peatlands are a key asset in the drive to reduce annual carbon emissions due to their potential as a carbon sink and this is even more important in Scotland where 20% of the land is covered by peat [1]. However, peatlands have historically been considered as wastelands that needed to be re-used for other, more productive, purposes. This is the reason why circa 80% of UK peatlands are being partially degraded. The favoured foundation option for any construction has been to excavate the peat and replace it by a granular soil [2]. However, the excavation process risks drying sections of the peatland with the associated detrimental effect on the carbon stored within the peat. The current regulatory framework, e.g. National Planning Framework, seek to protect these habitats of new developments due to the high environmental value that they bring to the ecosystem [3]. Based on my Research Fellowship (June 2021), in collaboration with CSIC, Highland Council, SEPA, NatureScot, and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the project team (together with John McDougall and Daniel Barreto) identified up to six alternative foundation techniques that could be undertaken to minimise the high environmental impact of excavate-and-replace techniques. Although the results obtained demonstrated that other forms of foundation exist, the most sustainable ones are barely used in the UK. The latter is due to the fact that the current foundation technique is a proven, cost-effective, solution whereas other alternative techniques would entail higher costs and there is little experience in the UK [4]. Amongst the uncertainties, it is not entirely clear how much better the new techniques are from the environmental point of view. The project team proposed has the skills to bring light into this research investigation.
Affiliated Organisations	Edinburgh Napier University
Research Areas	Carbon Emissions Civil Engineering
Research Themes	Culture and Communities
Research Centres/Groups	Engineering Research Group
Projects	Construction on Peat
Org Units	School of Engineering and The Built Environment

Alternative Sustainable Technologies for Constructing on Peatlands
2022 - 2022

Recognition Type	Fellowships and Awards
Description	Peatlands are a key asset in the drive to reduce annual carbon emissions due to their potential as a carbon sink and this is even more important in Scotland where 20% of the land is covered by peat. However, peatlands have historically been considered as wastelands that needed to be re-used for other, more productive, purposes. This is the reason why circa 80% of UK peatlands are being partially degraded. The favoured foundation option for any construction has been to excavate the peat and replace it by a granular soil. The excavation process risks, however, drying sections of the peatland with the associated detrimental effect on the carbon stored within the peat. The current regulatory framework, e.g. National Planning Framework, seeks to protect these habitats of new developments due to the high environmental value that they bring to the ecosystem. Based on my Research Fellowship (June 2021), in collaboration with CSIC, Highland Council, SEPA, NatureScot, and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the project team (together with John McDougall and Daniel Barreto) identified up to six alternative foundation techniques that could be undertaken to minimise the high environmental impact of excavate-and-replace techniques. Although the results obtained demonstrated that other forms of foundation exist, the most sustainable ones are barely used in the UK. The latter is due to the fact that the current foundation technique is a proven, cost-effective, solution whereas other alternative techniques would entail higher costs and there is little experience in the UK. Amongst the uncertainties, it is not entirely clear how much better the new techniques are from the environmental point of view. The project team proposed has the skills to bring light into this research investigation. The results of this project highlight that the construction could indeed offer a positive effect on the overall carbon sink potential if alternatives to complete peat removal were explored. In particular, the best solution has been identified to be the partial development of the site (Scenario 2), which could result in a net carbon gain in the long-term. Partial excavation and piling (E&P) have also been identified as a better option than the non-development (Scenario 3), which is interestingly sustained to be the least sustainable option.
Research Areas	Carbon Emissions Civil Engineering
Research Themes	Environment Health
Research Centres/Groups	Engineering Research Group
Org Units	School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment