John S. Horvath, Ph.D., P.E. Consulting Engineer

Research activities...

Dr. Horvath has been involved in research since he began his doctoral studies in 1974. His doctoral research dealt with the broad
topic of soil-structure interaction (SSI) with a specific emphasis on subgrade models used for mat (raft) foundation analysis. Dr.
Horvath's research activity increased significantly when he became a full-time faculty member at Manhattan College in 1987.

Because of his strong background in engineering practice, Dr. Horvath's research has always been of a practical, applications-
oriented nature. His current research interests include:

Cellular geosynthetics (geofoams and geocombs). The term geofoam was defined by him in the early 1990s to
generically describe all types of closed-cell foams used in geotechnical applications. He independently researched and wrote
the first English-language monograph on the subject titled "Geofoam Geosynthetic" that was published in 1995. In 1996,
he personally and independently established the first World Wide Web website, The Geofoam WWW Site, devoted
exclusively and objectively to all aspects of geofoam. He personally funded and maintained this website for over four years.
In 1999, Dr. Horvath expanded his interest in the use of cellular materials in geotechnical construction and coined and
defined the term geocomb to generically describe extruded open-cell geosynthetic products with a honeycomb appearance
that complement geofoams in lightweight-fill applications. Currently, and as a continuation of his more than 20 years of
researching geofoams, Dr. Horvath is a co-principal investigator (co-PI) for National Cooperative Highway Research Program
(NCHRP) Project No. 24-11(02) titled "Guidelines for Geofoam Applications in Slope Stability Projects". This research
project, which was officially launched on 2 October 2006 at the beginning of the 2007 U.S. Federal fiscal year, is an
extension of the earlier NCHRP Project No. 24-11(01) for Fiscal Year 1998 study titled "Guidelines for Geofoam Applications
in Embankment Projects" that was managed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and for which Dr. Horvath
was also a co-PI. This new funded-research project is being managed at the University of Memphis and is again being
administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB).

Soil-structure interaction problems including mat (raft) foundations and piled rafts; all types of earth-retaining structures
(including under seismic loading); integral-abutment bridges; and vertical anchors to resist uplift loads. This is a
continuation and extension of his career-long interest in all types of SSI problems. A particular interest involves the broad
applications of geofoam compressible inclusions for controlled yielding of soil and rock adjacent to relatively rigid earth-
retaining structures to create controlled yielding and concomitant earth-pressure reduction.

Methodologies and computer software development for analysis of the load-settlement behavior of footings and driven piles
in coarse-grain soil based on soil parameters derived from site characterization using in-situ test data. This is called the
integrated site characterization and foundation analysis concept. One of Dr. Horvath's particular interests in this area
is promoting the greater awareness and use of a third deep-foundation capacity mechanism for use with tapered deep-
foundation elements (both driven and drilled piles and drilled shafts) that is based on cylindrical cavity expansion and is in
addition to the traditional mechanisms of side friction and end bearing.

Additional details about Dr. Horvath's current research activities can be found on his curriculum vitae which is available upon
request to clients and prospective clients only. Click here to access digital copies of many of Dr. Horvath's recent publications.