PhD Student in Transportation Geotechnics
Nariman began his PhD study in transportation geotechnics at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in September 2023. Leveraging his academic expertise, he taught Soil Mechanics and Laboratory courses as a University Lecturer and conducted research on slope and wall stability analysis, geosynthetics, reinforced soil structures, unsaturated soils, and transportation geotechnics as a Research Assistant prior to joining UTS for his PhD. Professionally, he worked as a civil design engineer, managing projects ranging from slope reinforcement design to reviewing technical civil documents and reports. He also served as a civil engineering supervisor, field engineer and a reviewer for various geotechnical journals.
Department of Environment and Science, Qld; Scenic Rim Regional Council, Qld
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
A/Prof. Sanjay Nimbalkar
Dr. Piyush Punetha
Prof. Daichao Sheng
My research project, titled ‘Use of Construction and Demolition Waste and Recycled Glass Materials in Sealed and Unsealed Roads,’ focuses on using recycled waste materials in road construction. It is one of the most important applications of waste recycling in the transport sector, as it not only deters the depletion of natural resources but also significantly reduces the accumulation of construction waste in landfills. There is a need for further investigation on the use of various mixtures of recycled aggregates derived from construction and demolition waste to assess their practicality and performance in pavement base and subbase courses. Through a comprehensive laboratory-numerical-field methodology, the project examines the performance of flexible pavements constructed using construction and demolition waste materials, such as recycled concrete aggregate and crushed brick, alongside natural gravel aggregates. Through my research, I hope to offer robust scientific proof regarding the effective utilisation of recycled construction materials in both paved and unpaved roads.
I believe that industry-driven projects are highly rewarding because they benefit various stakeholders, including industry, society, and engineering profession. The industry-led project that I am involved with, is multifaceted, giving me the chance to gain a wide range of skills. I perform laboratory testing and computational simulations of pavement systems, which means learning advanced numerical modelling techniques. Plus, I am able to witness how these systems perform in the real world through field tests. It’s an amazing blend of theory and practice, and it’s exciting to be part of something that has such an extensive impact on industry practice.
The highlights of my PhD research are truly multifaceted. I’ve been able to develop a valuable set of skills that span experimental work, numerical modelling, coding, and the use of professional software.
My research focuses on transportation infrastructure, one of the largest industries globally, with a particular emphasis on sustainability. This trend is gaining momentum worldwide, as scientists are pushing for environmental preservation and material reuse. What makes my work even more significant is the limited global research in this area. Given the project’s scope and its emphasis on sustainability, I believe it could have a major impact on my career. I want to pursue an academic career post-PhD, and this experience could open up more industry-based academic opportunities for me.
Engineering research, as I see it, is the art of combining practicality with science. After my PhD, I want to focus on industry-centred practical research projects. While continuing research is intriguing, my passion lies in collaborating with industry partners on academic research projects that yield tangible benefits for society and the engineering field.
I am eager to join multifaceted projects that involve practical approaches like conducting laboratory experiments and utilising sophisticated numerical modelling methods. Translating these findings into real-world applications through large-scale trials and meticulously comparing outcomes can provide reliable results that benefit both scientists and the general public. I view research as an opportunity to make a positive contribution to society, and I strive to be part of initiatives that lead to a better world.
My research seeks to provide scientific evidence on how well recycled aggregates perform in both sealed and unsealed roadways. This will help build confidence among local authorities to endorse their adoption through a circular economy strategy. This approach will help prevent the exploitation of natural resources and reduce the accumulation of construction waste ending up in landfills.
