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Dr Andrew McNamara

Senior Lecturer

School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering Department of Civil Engineering

Contact details

Address

Dr Andrew McNamara CG14, Tait Building
City, University of London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

About

Overview

Andrew McNamara was employed in the civil engineering industry before undertaking PhD research that involved a major study into the influence of new techniques used to reduce ground movements around deep excavations. Upon completion of his PhD he was awarded a post doctoral research fellowship at the Geotechnical Engineering Research Centre to enable him to develop and implement construction process related centrifuge research led by industry. In this role he initiated a number of major projects and was appointed as a Senior Lecturer in 2004.

He was a member of the winning team for the Fleming Award in 2004, awarded for excellence in geotechnical design and construction in recognition of work on the Moorhouse draught relief shaft for Crossrail. In 2005 he was awarded a Diploma of the Henry Adams Award, jointly with Professor RN Taylor, by the Institution of Structural Engineers for a paper on his doctoral work and also a Telford Prize, jointly with Dr PRJ Morrison and Dr TOL Roberts by the Institution of Civil Engineers for a paper on the design and construction of a deep shaft for Crossrail.

He is currently chair of ISSMGE TC104 for Physical Modelling in Geotechnics.

Area of Expertise

- Control of ground movements around deep excavations
- Geotechnical issues related to construction processes
- Physical modelling (with special emphasis on centrifuge modelling of deep excavations and deep foundations)
- Temporary works and construction method engineering

Qualifications

  1. PhD Civil Engineering, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 2001
  2. MSc Geotechnical Engineering, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 1998
  3. BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, Kingston University, United Kingdom, 1995

Employment

  1. External Examiner, Liverpool John Moores University, 2013 – 2017
  2. STEM Ambassador, STEM Learning, 2009 – present
  3. External Examiner, University of the West of Scotland, 2008 – 2012
  4. Visiting Lecturer, University of London, 2008 – present
  5. Consultant, RKD Consultant Ltd, 2006 – present
  6. Senior Lecturer, City, University of London, 2004 – present
  7. Postdoctoral Research Fellow, City, University of London, 2001 – 2004
  8. EPSRC Research Student, City, University of London, 1998 – 2001
  9. Chief Engineer, Skanska UK Building, 1990 – present

Research

Research interests

- Use of enhanced base stiffness to control ground movements around deep excavations.
- The effectiveness of mass concrete thrust blocks as lateral support for excavations.
- Load bearing capacity of novel pile groups
- High capacity friction piles

Research students

Jignasha Panchal

Attendance: 2015 – 2018, full-time

Thesis title: MINIMISING GROUND MOVEMENTS AROUND DEEP EXCAVATIONS IN SOFT SOIL

Role: 1st Supervisor

Hitesh Halai

Attendance: 2010 – 2017, part-time

Thesis title: COMPENSATION GROUTING FOR GROUND MOVEMENT CONTROL AROUND OPEN EXCAVATIONS

Role: 1st Supervisor

Rohit Gorasia

Attendance: Oct 2009 – May 2013, full-time

Thesis title: BEHAVIOUR OF RIBBED PILES IN CLAY

Role: 1st Supervisor

Julia Witton-Dauris

Attendance: Oct 2007 – Sep 2012, part-time

Thesis title: CENTRIFUGE MODELLING OF HIGH SHEAR CAPACITY RIBBED PILES IN STIFF CLAY

Role: 1st Supervisor

Leonora Begaj

Attendance: Oct 2006 – Sep 2009, full-time

Thesis title: GEOTECHNICAL CENTRIFUGE MODEL TESTING FOR PILE FOUNDATION RE-USE

Role: 1st Supervisor

Further information: The research describes how the existing pile foundations in overconsolidated clay are likely to behave when their loading conditions are changed by unloading caused by demolition and subsequent reloading. This is done with the view to re-use the existing pile foundations for the new redevelopments. An increase in capacity was observed when single piles were subjected to load cycles. The influence of these novel pile groups on the existing pile was dependent on the number, length of the mini-piles in the group and centre to centre spacing between the existing and new pile foundation.

Publications

Publications by category

Book

  1. McNamara, A.M., Divall, S., Goodey, R.J., Taylor, R.N., Stallebrass, S.E. and Panchal, J.P. (Eds.), (2018). Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG 2018). London, UK: CRC Press/Balkema. ISBN 978-1-138-55975-2.

Conference papers and proceedings (40)

  1. Tanghetti, G., Goodey, R., Divall, S., McNamara, A. and Mckinley, B. (2019). Design and development of a large shear box for testing working platform material. XVII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 2-6 September, Reykjavik, Iceland.
  2. Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A., Halai, H. and Divall, S. (2019). Centrifuge modelling to determine the influence of pile stiffness on pile capacity. XVII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 2-6 September, Reykjavik, Iceland.
  3. Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A.M. and Goodey, R.J. (2018). Influence of geometry on the bearing capacity of sheet piled foundations. 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 17-20 July, London, UK.
  4. Panchal, J.P., Stallebrass, S.E. and McNamara, A.M. (2018). Effects of wall embedment on base heave failure arising from deep excavations in soft soils.
  5. Divall, S., Stallebrass, S.E., Goodey, R.J., Taylor, R.N. and McNamara, A.M. (2018). Geotechnical centrifuge facility for teaching at City, University of London.
  6. Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A.M. and Stallebrass, S.E. (2018). A new approach to modelling excavations in soft soils. ICPMG 2018 London.
  7. Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A.M. and Goodey, R.J. (2018). Centrifuge modelling of the influence of size and geometry of hybrid foundations on bearing capacity. ICPE 2018 Kochi, Japan.
  8. Tanghetti, G., Goodey, R.J., McNamara, A.M. and Halai, H. (2018). Plate bearing tests for working platforms.
  9. Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A.M. and Stallebrass, S.E. (2017). Minimising base heave from deep excavations in soft soil conditions using underwater construction methods.
  10. Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A.M. and Goodey, R.J. (2016). Bearing Capacity of Sheet Piled Foundations. 2nd Asian Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 30 Nov 2016 – 2 Dec 2016, Shanghai, China.
  11. Panchal, J., McNamara, A.M. and Stallebrass, S. (2016). Peak extraction forces when removing temporary steel casings used in rotary bored piling. Eurofuge 2016 Nantes.
  12. Panchal, J. and McNamara, A.M. (2016). Excavation techniques to reduce ground movements in soft soils. YGES 2016 University of Strathclyde.
  13. McNamara, A.M., Gorasia, R., Bell, A. and Suckling, T. (2014). Forces involved with the extraction of casings used in rotary bored piling. 8th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 2014 (ICPMG2014) 14-17 January, Perth, Australia.
  14. McNamara, A.M., Halai, H. and Phillips, N. (2014). Reducing the driving force required for installation of tubular piles when using the gyropiler. ICPMG2014 Perth.
  15. McNamara, A.M., Divall, S., Goodey, R.J., Gorasia, R.J., Halai, H., Rose, A.V. … Xu, M. (2012). The London Geotechnical Centrifuge Centre at City University London. 2nd European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 23-24 April, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands.
  16. McNamara, A.M., Halai, H. and Stallebrass, S. (2012). Centrifuge modelling of plate bearing tests. Eurofuge 2012 Delft.
  17. McNamara, A.M., Begaj Qerimi, L. and Fernie, R. (2010). Model test analysis for pile foundation re-use.
  18. McNamara, A.M., Mascarucci, Y., Miliziano, S. and Pasqualetti, M. (2010). Investigation into the influence of pile tip geometry on soil displacements around jacked-in piles in layered ground. Proc. Int. Conf.on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Zurich, Switzerland.
  19. McNamara, A.M., Hijazi, A. and Gorasia, R. (2010). Model test analysis for pile foundation re-use. Proc. Int. Conf.on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Zurich, Switzerland.
  20. McNamara, A.M., Hijazi, A. and Gorasia, R. (2010). Model tests for reducing installation forces in jacked sheet piling.
  21. Mascarucci, Y., Miliziano, S., McNamara, A.M. and Pasqualetti, M. (2010). Influence of pile tip geometry on soil displacements around driven piles in layered ground.
  22. Qerimi, L.B. and McNamara, A.M. (2010). Physical modelling for pile foundation re-use.
  23. Taylor, R.N., Yao, J., and McNamara, A.M., (2008). The effects of loaded bored piles on existing tunnels. 6th International Symposium on Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground Shanghai, China.
  24. McNamara, A.M., Mascarucci, Y., Miliziano, S. and Pasqaletti, M. (2008). Modellazione in centrifuga dell’installazione del palo soles. Incontro Anunuale dei Ricervatori di Geotecnica 2008 – IARG 2008, Catania.
  25. Stallebrass, S., McNamara, A.M, , Taylor, R.N., and Goodey, R.J., (2007). Modelling geotechnical construction processes for urban developments. 14th European Conf. on Soil Mech. & Geo. Eng. Madrid.
  26. Stallebrass, S., Taylor, R.N., and McNamara, A.M., (2007). Proactive design of buried mass concrete thrust blocks: model studies – Panel contribution. Madrid.
  27. Taylor, R.N., Bilotta, E, , Bitetti, B, and McNamara, A.M, (2006). Micropiles to reduce ground movements induced by tunnelling. Hong Kong.
  28. Taylor, R.N., Cabrera, M, and McNamara, A.M, (2006). Inclined load capacity of buried mass concrete thrust blocks. Hong Kong.
  29. Taylor, R.N., Cabrera, M, and McNamara, A.M, (2006). Inclined load capacity of buried mass concrete thrust blocks. Hong Kong.
  30. Taylor, R.N., Qerimi, L.B., and McNamara, A.M, (2006). Preliminary model tests on re-use of pile foundations. Hong Kong.
  31. Taylor, R.N., Goodey, R.J., and McNamara, A.M., (2006). The influence of piles as a ground movement control device during deep basement construction. Hong Kong.
  32. Taylor, R.N., Yao, J., and McNamara, A.M., (2006). The effects of bored pile construction on existing tunnels. Hong Kong.
  33. Goodey, R.J., McNamara, A.M. and Taylor, R.N. (2006). The influence of piles as a ground movement control device during deep basement construction.
  34. Goodey, R.J., McNamara, A.M. and Taylor, R.N. (2005). The effectiveness of buried mass concrete thrust blocks as a means of lateral support for excavations. Osaka, Japan.
  35. McNamara, A.M., Taylor, R.N., Stallebrass, S.E. and Romano, M.C. (2003). Influence of tunnelling on the behaviour of existing piled foundations.
  36. McNamara, A.M., Taylor, R.N., Stallebrass, S.E. and Romano, M.C. (2003). Influence of tunnelling on the behaviour of existing piled foundations.
  37. Stallebrass, S., McNamara, A.M, and Taylor R N, (2003). Evalation of numerical analyses used to model the influence of heave reducing piles on excavation induced ground movements. Prague.
  38. Stallebrass, S., McNamara, A.M, , Romano, M.C., and Taylor, R.N, (2003). Influence of tunnelling on the behaviour of existing piled foundations. Dundee.
  39. Taylor, R.N. and McNamara, A.M., (2002). Use of heave reducing piles to control ground movement around deep excavations. 3rd International Symposium on Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground Toulouse, France.
  40. Taylor, R.N. and McNamara, A.M. (2002). Use of heave reducing piles to control ground movement around excavations. St John’s Canada.

Journal articles (12)

  1. Owen, M., McNamara, A. and Panchal, J. (2020). The risk of unexploded ordnance on construction sites in London, UK. Environmental Geotechnics, 0, pp. 1–8. doi:10.1680/jenge.18.00049.
  2. Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A.M. and Goodey, R.J. (2020). Sheet pile groups as an alternative foundation solution to cast-in-situ concrete piles. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 20(2), pp. 83–96. doi:10.1680/jphmg.18.00053.
  3. Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A.M. and Stallebrass, S.E. (2018). Physical modelling of lime stabilisation in soft soils around deep excavations. DFI Journal, 11(2-3), pp. 137–147. doi:10.1080/19375247.2018.1436254.
  4. McNamara, A. and Panchal, J. (2018). Federation of piling specialists' casing extraction review. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Geotechnical Engineering, 171(2), pp. 174–185. doi:10.1680/jgeen.17.00134.
  5. Gorasia, R.J. and McNamara, A.M. (2016). High-capacity ribbed pile foundations. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Geotechnical Engineering, 169(3), pp. 264–275. doi:10.1680/jgeen.15.00073.
  6. McNamara, A.M., Suckling, T.P., McKinley, B. and Stallebrass, S.E. (2013). A field trial of a reusable, hollow, cast-in-situ pile. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Geotechnical Engineering. doi:10.1680/geng.12.00102.
  7. Gorasia, R.J., McNamara, A.M. and Rettura, D. (2012). Reducing driving forces for pressed in piles. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Geotechnical Engineering.
  8. McNamara, A.M. and Begaj, L. (2011). Centrifuge model testing for pile foundation re-use. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 11(4), pp. 166–177.
  9. McNamara, A.M, , Goodey, R.J. and Taylor, R.N. (2009). Apparatus for centrifuge modelling of top down basement construction with heave reducing piles. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 9(1), pp. 1–14.
  10. McNamara, A.M., Roberts, T.O.L., Morrison, P.R.J. and Holmes, G. (2008). Construction of a deep shaft for Crossrail. Geotechnical Engineering, 161(GE6), pp. 299–399.
  11. Morrison, P.R.J., McNamara, A.M. and Roberts, T.O.L. (2004). Design and construction of a deep shaft for Crossrail. PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, 157(4), pp. 173–182.
  12. McNamara, A.M., and Taylor, R.N. (2004). The influence of enhanced excavation base stiffness on prop loads and ground movements during basement construction. The Structural Engineer – Int. Jour. IstructE, 82(4), pp. 30–36.

Patent

  1. McNamara, A.M., Stallebrass, S.E. and Taylor, R.N. (2007). A pile and method of constructing a pile. Patent no. WO2008047151 A1

Professional activities

Editorial activity (4)

  1. GE Editorial Panel, Member of editorial advisory board of Ground Engineering.
  2. Chair of TC104, TC104 Chair of ISSMGE Technical Committee for Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, which is one of the most active of the ISSMGE TCs and I am responsible for a committee of 49 members from 28 countries.
  3. Chair of Local Organising Committee ICPMG 2018, Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, hosted by City, University of London.
  4. Editor of ICPMG 2018, Editor of over 200 conference papers for the Proceedings of the 9th International Conference in Physical Modelling and Geotechnics.