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Rocky mountain landscape

Robert (Bob) Watters

Professor

Summary

Research Areas:

Geologic hazards involving slope instability (landslides) in varied geologic materials and geographical areas, rock mass strength characterization of weathered and hydrothermally altered rock. On-going research involves edifice and sector stability of the Cascade Range Volcanoes (Washington and Oregon), the Hawaiian Islands, the Mexican Volcanic Belt, and volcanoes in South America. Open pit mine slope research has similarities to volcano research as hydrothermal alteration adversely affects open pit stability. Rock fall from natural and man-made excavations, stability of mountain, coastal, and submarine slopes, and paleoseismic induced lateral spreading. Funded research from NSF, DOE, NEHRP, NASA, NDOT, WDOT

Relevant Past Experience:

Employed by civil and mining engineering consulting companies in the USA, UK, and Africa on varied projects involving surface and underground mine design, site construction engineering for underground hydroelectric power station, and pipeline ROW engineering in Alaska. Consultant and expert witness for companies and for attorneys and State Departments of Transportation, on slope stability, slope remediation design, risk assessment and geologic hazards.2001 Richard H Jahns Distinguished lecturer in Engineering Geology for Geological Society of America and Association of Engineering Geologists.

Education

  • Ph.D. 1972, Imperial College, London, England
  • M.S. 1970, Imperial College, London, England
  • D.I.C. 1970, Imperial College, London, England
  • B.S. 1969, University of Strathclyde, Scotland