Curriculum Vitae

Publications

• Please see Gauen’s Orcid ID 0000-0002-6078-7488

Education

• BS in civil engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2015)
• MS in civil engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (2016)
• Doctoral candidate, Colorado School of Mines, advisor Marte Gutierrez (current)
• Licensed professional engineer in California

Research

Doctoral studies at Mines under the advisement of Dr. Marte Gutierrez

Funded by US DOT Grant No. 69A3551747118 and CDOT PO number 471001372

Investigating methodologies for early-stage feasibility studies of transportation tunnel projects, under grant funding from the US Department of Transportation and Colorado Department of Transportation. The project is using the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels as a case study to evaluate probabilistic back-analysis; development of risk-based metrics of excavation and support design based on uncertain geologic information; development of a ranking system for comparison of alternative alignments, excavation methods, and support systems; and impacts of parallel and skew bores on existing infrastructure.

Literature Review of Pseudo-Static Infinite Slope Stability Analyses and Development of a New Equation from First Principles

Consulting work at Geosyntec Consultants for Confidential Client

In support of client’s response to a question from a regulatory agency on a hazardous waste landfill project, Geosyntec initiated a literature review of commonly used infinite slope stability models demonstrating the equivalences and differences between various models. Common questions regarding the applicability and accuracy of these models were presented and answered. A gap in the available models was identified and filled by deriving from first principles a pseudo-static infinite slope stability model considering gas pressure, groundwater seepage, and horizontal seismic loading. Work was presented internally and via project reports to clients. The new model was used as a simple check of more complex numerical models.

Physical Properties of Various Coal Combustion Byproduct Mixtures

Consulting work at ATC Associates for Southern Company

In anticipation of a future need for better disposal or beneficial reuse techniques for coal combustion byproducts (fly ash), Southern Company contracted with ATC Associates to investigate the physical properties of a variety of mixtures of fly ash, gypsum, lime, cement, and flue gas discharge wastewater to determine possible beneficial reuse applications for these waste products. The goal was to avoid landfilling these products or alternatively, to address the most efficient way to place these products into low- or zero-liquid discharge landfills for permanent encapsulation and containment of hazardous materials. Gauen was primarily responsible for performing laboratory testing of these cementitious mixtures. Gauen devised or adapted several procedures to address the difficulties of working with this material. Gauen performed tests for resistivity, time-of-set as judged by hardening of material, unconfined compressive strength, triaxial shear strength, and time-dependent strength properties.

Work Experience

• Geosyntec Consultants
  • Senior staff engineer, July 2017 – December 2017
  • Staff engineer July 2016 – July 2017
  • Performed engineering analyses including retaining wall design, slope stability analysis, and liquefaction susceptibility.
  • Applied advanced computational tools including Octave, DEEPSOIL, SLAMMER, and Geo-Studio to evaluations of ground response analysis and slope stability.
  • Managed construction oversight for earthwork projects with QA/QC budgets up to $100,000.
  • Performed geotechnical investigations from initial site reconnaissance and proposal through geotechnical recommendations and reporting.
  • Collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists to create a $75 million dollar engineering evaluation / cost analysis for a hazardous waste landfill under consent decree with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Wrote portions of the work while assembling several parts into a cohesive whole. Performed veneer stability, waste settlement, Newmark displacement, and cost estimate calculations. Peer reviewed percolation, landfill gas emissions, and soil loss calculations.
  • Developed a new Octave / MatLab tool to perform linear least squares regression to triaxial shear data for probabilistic, strain-dependent, and non-linear analyses of geostructures. Presented results in poster form at annual internal conference.
  • Developed an input/output processing algorithm for the USEPA HELP3 model to allow pre- and post-processing of climate and percolation data in Octave / MatLab.
  • Evaluated and compared percolation through evapotranspirative, RCRA prescriptive, and RCRA alternative covers for landfill design.
• University of California, Los Angeles
  • Teaching assistant, CEE 128L Soil Mechanics Laboratory, September 2015 – June 2016
  • Taught and supervised triaxial shear, sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction, consolidation, and expansion index testing by undergraduate students.
  • Graded lab reports and homework providing advice, feedback, and constructive criticism.
  • Received positive evaluations from students for helpfulness and effectiveness.
• Cardo ATC / ATC Associates
  • Laboratory supervisor, 2014 – 2016
  • Laboratory technician, 2012 – 2014
  • Performed sample analyses of soils, bituminous compounds, and concrete according to ASTM and AASHTO specifications.
  • Collected samples and performed on-site testing in the field.
  • Prepared and reviewed daily laboratory reports.
  • Managed laboratory records, calibrations, and certifications.
  • Implemented and maintained laboratory quality systems and procedures.
  • Prepared laboratory reports in MS Excel, Humboldt, and Bentley software.
  • Provided drafting support for a team of engineers and geologists.
  • Trained and directed junior technicians in laboratory procedures.
  • Spearheaded projects in laboratory analysis of soils for slope stability, dam design, and other geotechnical and geoenvironmental projects.
  • Researched physical properties of various cementitious mixtures of fly ash, gypsum, lime, and flue gas discharge water from various coal-fired power plants to find beneficial reuse possibilities or capability for placement in zero-liquid-discharge landfills.
  • Provided laboratory testing services for geotechnical investigations of existing and proposed CCB landfills including basic soil characterization, triaxial shear strength testing, unconfined compressive strength testing, and permeability testing.
  • Conducted field explorations and laboratory analyses of soils in an earthen dam undergoing slope failure across the entire downstream face. Provided drafting and laboratory support to the design team during the investigation of remediation options, and participated in the design and installation of an emergency drawdown system (siphon) to prevent catastrophic failure while permanent solutions were investigated.