- Le, B.T., Nguyen, T.T.T., Divall, S. and Davies, M.C.R. (2023). A study on large volume losses induced by EBPM tunnelling in sandy soils. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 132, pp. 104847–104847. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2022.104847.
- Goodey, R.J., Divall, S. and Le, B.T. (2022). Surface settlements arising from elliptical shaft excavation in clay. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics pp. 1–10. doi:10.1680/jphmg.21.00080.
- Rattia, V., Divall, S., Gitirana, G.F.N. and Assis, A.P. (2022). Estimating settlements due to tunnel boring machine excavation. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Geotechnical Engineering pp. 1–12. doi:10.1680/jgeen.21.00103.
- Le, B.T., Goodey, R.J. and Divall, S. (2019). Subsurface ground movements due to circular shaft construction. Soils and Foundations, 59(5), pp. 1160–1171. doi:10.1016/j.sandf.2019.03.013.
- Zhang, T., Taylor, R.N., Divall, S., Zheng, G., Sun, J., Stallebrass, S.E. … Goodey, R.J. (2019). Explanation for twin tunnelling-induced surface settlements by changes in soil stiffness on account of stress history. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 85, pp. 160–169. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2018.12.015.
- Li, Y., Chen, X., Divall, S. and Zhang, X. (2017). A study into the behaviour of the formation level of an excavation under different unloading patterns in soft deposits. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 10(19). doi:10.1007/s12517-017-3227-2.
- Divall, S., Goodey, R.J. and Stallebrass, S.E. (2017). Twin-tunnelling-induced changes to clay stiffness. Géotechnique, 67(10), pp. 906–913. doi:10.1680/jgeot.sip17.P.151.
- Divall, S., Taylor, R.N. and Xu, M. (2016). Centrifuge modelling of tunnelling with forepoling. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 16(2), pp. 83–95. doi:10.1680/jphmg.15.00019.
- Divall, S. and Goodey, R.J. (2015). Twin-tunnelling-induced ground movements in clay. Proceedings of the ICE - Geotechnical Engineering, 168(3), pp. 247–256. doi:10.1680/geng.14.00054.
- Divall, S. and Goodey, R.J. (2012). Apparatus for centrifuge modelling of twin-tunnel construction. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 12(3), pp. 102–111. doi:10.1680/ijpmg.11.00014.
- Divall, S. and Goodey, R.J. (2012). Novel apparatus for generating ground movements around sequential twin tunnels in over-consolidated clay. Online publication by Proceedings of the ICE – Geotechnical Engineering pp. 10–11.
Dr Sam Divall
Contact details
Address
Dr Sam Divall
CG12
, Tait Building [C]
City, University of London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom
Personal links
About
Overview
Dr Divall has been a Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering within the Department of Engineering at the School of Science & Technology since 2015. He is an active researcher and teaches at both undergraduate and MSc level.
Dr Divall has published papers mostly in the area of the ground's response to construction in a congested underground space. Dr Divall has worked on many collaborative research projects, both numerical and physical modelling based, often with international researchers. He is a Chartered Civil Engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). He is also an invited member of the ISSMGE Technical Committee for Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (TC104) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Dr Divall is also part of the Centre of Excellence in Temporary Works and Construction Method Engineering which is run in partnership with the Temporary Works Forum (TWf).
Qualifications
- Chartered Engineer, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), United Kingdom, Apr 2022
- PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, City, University of London, United Kingdom, Oct 2009 – May 2013
- MEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering, City, University of London, United Kingdom, Sep 2005 – May 2009
Postgraduate training
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Technology Enabled), City, University of London, United Kingdom, Oct 2015
Employment
- Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering, City, University of London, Oct 2015 – present
- Geotechnical Research Fellow, City, University of London, Oct 2013 – Sep 2015
- Academic Fellow in Civil Engineering, City, University of London, Oct 2012 – Sep 2013
- Visiting Lecturer, City, University of London, 2009 – 2012
Memberships of committees
- International Advisory Committee for Asiafuge-2021, Nov 2021
- Chair, Consortium for Research into Congested Underground Space (CoRCUS), Jan 2021 – present
- Vice-chair, Local Organising Committee for the 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG 2018), Jul 2018
Awards
- City, University of London, SMCSE (2020) SMSCE Teaching and Learning Prize
- City, University of London, Civil Engineering Department (2015) Teaching Award
- The ICE QUEST (2013) Travel Award
- International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (2013) The ISSMGE Foundation Award
- 12th BGA Young Geotechnical Engineers’ Symposium (2012) Winning Presentation
Teaching
Educational Leadership
Admissions Tutor for Engineering UG Programmes (2017 - present)
Deputy Programme Director, MSc in Temporary Works & Construction Method Engineering (2017 - present)
Module Leader, CV3502 Civil Engineering Management
Module Leader, EPM614 Geotechnical Temporary Works
Modules Taught
ET1090 Design I
CV2501 Geology & Soil Mechanics
CV2500 Design II
CV3502 Civil Engineering Management
CVM431 Civil Engineering Systems
ET3106 Individual Project
EPM614 Geotechnical Temporary Works
Major Project Students
Sarya Taqawi - Permeameter tests on Speswhite:Polwhite samples (22/23)
Jayna Gorasia - Triaxial tests on Speswhite:Polwhite samples (22/23)
Khalid Hajiali - Analysis of Strains from Elliptical Shaft Construction (22/23)
Nahom Ermeas - Slope stability using soil nails ( 21/22 & 22/23)
Umar Ahmed - Long term tunnelling induced settlements (22/23)
Bahy Khoury - Survey of congested underground space (21/22)
Paul Challinor - Openings in shafts (in London Clay) (21/22) - MSc
Richard Jabara - Long-term tunnelling-induced settlements: case studies (20/21)
Mary Davies - Slope stability using soil nails (20/21)
Abdurrahman Tamimi - Analysis of strains during twin-tunnel construction (20/21)
Fawzyah Zankawi - Does TBM face overpressure lead to excessive ground movements? (20/21)
Mouawiah.Bushaiba - Shaft-induced ground movements in clay: case studies (20/21)
Idris Sarwar - Oedometer tests on layered samples (19/20 & 20/21)
Gizem Karacam - Permeameter tests on layered samples (19/20 & 20/21)
Noshin Ahmed - Triaxial testing on different sample preparations (19/20)
Syed Danyaal Ahmed - Slope Stability Using Soil Nails in Clay (19/20)
Vimbainashe L Kanyangarara - Influence of pile stiffness on ultimate and working capacity (19/20)
Tim O'Connell - An Assessment of Stabilised Platform Performance in Promotion of Alternative Piling Platform Techniques (19/20) - MSc
Riya Patel - Influence of pile stiffness on ultimate and working capacity (18/19)
Mohannad Romman - Permeameter test on layered samples (18/19)
Amira Hussain - Case Histories: The effect of new tunnels on existing tunnels (17/18)
Mohammed Karim - Influence of pile stiffness on ultimate capacity (17/18)
Lakhvinder Singh - Development of layered models for centrifuge modelling (17/18)
Mohammed Alkhorsan - Influence of permeability on the long-term ground movements in clay (16/17)
Henry Kirkbride - Shear box tests on ribbed piles for increased capacity (16/17)
Eric Ritchie - Development of layered models for centrifuge modelling (16/17)
Ali Taha - Shaft-induced ground movements in clay (16/17)
Craig Ihezie - Modelling of tunnelling with embedded forepoles (16/17)
Hassan Butt - Centrifuge modelling of tunnelling with embedded forepoles (2015/16)
Carlota Requena - Centrifuge modelling of pore-water pressure generation around a tunnel construction (2015/16)
Sunil Vaghela - Case Histories: The effect of new deep circular and non axisymmetric excavations on existing underground services and structures (2014/15)
Junley Chan - Settlement from the Construction of Shafts in Clay (2013/14) - MSc
Rashik Bhanderi - Analysis of the subsurface deformations during a tunnel construction where forepoling has been utilised (2013/14)
Ken Hy - Case Histories: The effect of new tunnels on existing tunnels (2013/14)
Daniel Girmay - Centrifuge testing of twin-tunnelling induced settlements (2012/13)
Research
Research Interests
Areas of expertise:
• the interaction of geotechnical events in the congested underground space; including tunnelling-induced ground movements, shaft-sinking, piled foundations, and soil nailing in clay slopes
• the development of new concepts and experimental procedures for geotechnical physical modelling
• research on health and safety-critical areas of civil engineering; namely pile design and using piling platforms
Research students
Greta Sabaliauskaite
Attendance: Oct 2022 – present, full-time
Thesis title: The influence of pile stiffness on pile capacity at working load
Role: 1st Supervisor
Han Changzhi
Attendance: Sep 2022 – present, full-time
Thesis title: Hydrodynamics of Novel Scour Protection Countermeasures for Monopile Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation
Role: 2nd Supervisor
Eric Ritchie
Attendance: Oct 2018 – present, full-time
Thesis title: Development of anisotropic clay models for geotechnical centrifuge testing
Role: 1st Supervisor
Greta Tanghetti
Attendance: Mar 2017 – Jul 2021, full-time
Thesis title: Safety of working platforms for tracked plant
Role: 1st Supervisor
Publications
Featured publications
- Divall, S., Goodey, R.J. and Stallebrass, S.E. (2018). Twin-tunnelling-induced changes to clay stiffness. In Zdravković, L. (Ed.), Tunnelling in the Urban Environment (pp. 37–44). London, UK: ICE Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7277-6377-8.
Publications by category
Book
- 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 (18)
- Divall, S., Goodey, R.J., Lalicata, L.M. and Davies, M.C.R. (2022). Centrifuge Modelling of Long-term Tunnelling Ground Movements. 10th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG 2022) 19-23 September, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea.
- De Falco, N., Bilotta, E., Divall, S. and Goodey, R.J. (2022). Numerical analysis of deep ground movements induced by circular shaft construction. 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 1-6 May, Sydney, Australia.
- Ritchie, E.P., Divall, S. and Goodey, R.J. (2022). A method for creating larger clay samples with permeability anisotropy for geotechnical centrifuge modelling. 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 1-6 May, Sydney, Australia.
- Ritchie, E., McNamara, A.M., Davies, M.C.R., Taylor, N., Lalicata, L., Stallebrass, S.E. … Panchal, A.P. (2021). A low-cost miniature immersible pore water pressure transducer. Asian Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (Asiafuge-2021) 18-19 November, Singapore.
- Le, B.T., Nguyen, N.T., Divall, S., Goodey, R.J. and Taylor, R.N. (2021). Modified gap method for prediction of TBM tunnelling-induced soil settlement in sand - a case study. doi:10.1201/9780429321559-76
- Ritchie, E., Lalicata, L., Divall, S. and Goodey, R. (2020). Tests of varied sample preparation methods for centrifuge modelling. 4th European Physical Modelling Conference in Geotechnics-ECPMG 2020 7-8 September, Luleå, Sweden.
- Tanghetti, G., Goodey, R.J., Divall, S., McNamara, A.M. and McKinley, B. (2019). Design and development of a large shear box for testing working platform material. doi:10.32075/17ECSMGE-2019-0267
- Panchal, J.P., McNamara, A.M., Halai, H. and Divall, S. (2019). Centrifuge modelling to determine the influence of pile stiffness on pile capacity. doi:10.32075/17ECSMGE-2019-0036
- 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. 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 17-20 July, London, UK. doi:10.1201/9780429438660-79
- Divall, S., Stallebrass, S.E., Goodey, R.J. and Ritchie, E.P. (2018). Development of layered models for geotechnical centrifuge tests. 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 17-20 July, London, UK. doi:10.1201/9780429438660-14
- Divall, S., Taylor, R.N., Stallebrass, S.E. and Goodey, R.J. (2017). Predictions of changes in pore-water pressure around tunnels in clay. 9th International Symposium on Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground 4-5 April, Sao Paulo, Brazil. doi:10.1201/9781315099507-31
- Divall, S. and Goodey, R.J. (2016). An apparatus for centrifuge modelling of a shaft construction in clay. 3rd European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (Eurofuge 2016) 1-3 June, Ifsttar, Nantes, France.
- Nadimi, S., Divall, S., Fonseca, J., Goodey, R.J. and Taylor, R.N. (2016). An addendum for particle image velocimetry in centrifuge modelling. Eurofuge 2016: 3rd European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 1-3 June, IFSTTAR, Nantes, France.
- Le, B.T., Divall, S. and Taylor, R.N. (2015). The effect of a forepole umbrella system on the stability of a tunnel face in clay. 16th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 13-17 September, Edinburgh, Scotland. doi:10.1680/ecsmge.60678.vol2.056
- Divall, S., Goodey, R.J. and Taylor, R.N. (2014). The influence of a time delay between sequential tunnel constructions. 8th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 14-17 January, University of Western Australia, Australia. doi:10.1201/b16200-136
- Divall, S., Goodey, R.J. and Taylor, R.N. (2012). Ground movements generated by sequential Twin-tunnelling in over-consolidated clay. 2nd European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 23-24 April, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands. doi:10.4233/uuid:f71fabea-424b-42e5-93aa-701715eed17d
- 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. doi:10.4233/uuid:72050299-d870-4da4-9465-01833a6ea70f
- Divall, S. (2010). Design and development of instrumentation and modelling equipment for simulating multi-tunnel volume loss in clay. 11th BGA Young Geotechnical Engineers' Symposium 6-8 July, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Journal articles (11)
Thesis/dissertation
- Divall, S. Ground movements associated with twin-tunnel construction in clay. (PhD Thesis)
Other (2)
- Divall, S. (2013). Major project motivator.
- Divall, S. (2010). “London 2012: Lessons Learned” BGA Evening Meeting Report.
Professional activities
Collaboration (academic)
- Lead partner of MOU with Ho Chi Minh city University of Transport project (May 2021 – May 2022)
Other partners: Dr Le
Editorial activity
- Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG 2018), Co-Editor.
Events/conferences (24)
- 10th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG 2022). (Conference) Daejeon, Korea. (2022). Invited speaker.
Paper: Centrifuge Modelling of Long-term Tunnelling Ground Movements
Author: Divall, S.
Co-authors: Goodey, R.J., Lalicata, L.M. and Davies, M.C.R. - 10th International Symposium on Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground. (Conference) Cambridge, UK (2022).
Paper: Modified gap method for prediction of TBM tunnelling-induced soil settlement in sand - a case study
Author: Le, B.T.
Co-authors: Nguyen, N.T., Divall, S., Goodey, R.J. and Taylor, R.N. - BGA Annual Conference 2022. (Conference) Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, London, UK (2022).
- XVII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. (Conference) Reykjavik, Iceland (2019).
Paper: Centrifuge modelling to determine the influence of pile stiffness on pile capacity
Author: Panchal, J.P.
Co-authors: McNamara, A., Halai, H. and Divall, S. - XVII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. (Conference) Reykjavik, Iceland (2019). Invited speaker.
Paper: Design and development of a large shear box for testing working platform material.
Author: Tanghetti, G.
Co-authors: Goodey, R., Divall, S., McNamara, A. and Mckinley, B. - 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics. (Conference) London, UK (2018). Organising Committee. Invited speaker.
Paper: Development of layered models for geotechnical centrifuge tests.
Author: Divall, S.
Co-authors: Stallebrass, S.E.; Goodey, R.J.; Ritchie, E.P. - 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Getechnics. (Conference) London, UK (2018). Organising Committee. Invited speaker.
Paper: Geotechnical centrifuge facility for teaching at City, University of London.
Author: Divall, S.
Co-authors: Stallebrass, S.E.; Goodey, R.J.; Taylor, R.N.; McNamara, A.M. - Geotechique Symposium in Print 2017: tunnelling in the urban environment. (Conference) London, UK (2017). Invited speaker.
Paper: Twin-tunnelling-induced changes to clay stiffnesses
Author: Divall, S
Co-authors: Goodey, RJ & Stallebrass, SE - 14th Annual British Geotechnical Association Conference. (Conference) London, UK (2017).
- 13th Annual British Geotechnical Association Conference. London, UK (2016).
Description: (Invited speaker) - 3rd European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics. IFSTTAR, Nantes, France (2016). Invited speaker.
Paper: An apparatus for centrifuge modelling of a shaft construction in clay
Author: Divall, S.
Co-authors: Goodey, R.J.
Description: (Reviewer) - 16th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. Edinburgh, Scotland (2015).
Description: (Delegate) - Tunnelling in London: learning lessons from Crossrail. (BGA half day seminar). Imperial College, London (2015).
Description: (Delegate) - 12th Annual British Geotechnical Association Conference. London, UK (2014).
Description: (Delegate) - 8th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 2014. Perth, Australia (2014). Invited speaker.
Paper: The influence of a time delay between sequential tunnel constructions
Author: Divall, S
Co-authors: Goodey, R.J.
Description: (Delegate and Reviewer) - 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. Paris, France (2013).
Description: (Invited Speaker) - 11th Annual British Geotechnical Association Conference. London, UK (2013).
Description: (Delegate) - 10th Annual British Geotechnical Association Conference. London, UK (2012).
Description: (Invited Speaker) - 12th BGA Young Geotechnical Engineers Symposium. Leeds, UK (2012). Invited speaker.
Paper: Novel apparatus for generating ground movements around sequential twin tunnels in over-consolidated clay.
Author: Divall, S.
Co-authors: Goodey, R.J.
Description: (Presented Research Paper) - 2nd European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics. Delft, Netherlands (2012). Invited speaker.
Paper: Ground movements generated by sequential Twin-tunnelling in over-consolidated clay.
Author: Divall, S.
Co-authors: Goodey, R.J.
Description: (Presented Research Paper) - 9th Annual British Geotechnical Association Conference. London, UK (2011).
Description: (Delegate) - 11th BGA Young Geotechnical Engineers Symposium. Bristol, UK (2010). Invited speaker.
Paper: Design and development of instrumentation and modelling equipment for simulating multi-tunnel volume loss in clay
Author: Divall, S.
Description: (Presented Research Paper) - 7th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics. Zurich, Switzerland (2010).
Description: (Research Poster Presented) - 8th Annual British Geotechnical Association Conference. London, UK (2010).
Description: (Presented Research Paper)