Saman Farzi Sizkow

Key Responsibilities:

• Developed detailed proposals and cost estimates for diverse geotechnical projects.
• Designed geotechnical investigation programs, including subsurface borings and electrical resistivity surveys.
• Prepared laboratory testing assignment sheets and coordinated with the testing laboratory.
• Reviewed design and construction material testing documents to assess adequacy and code compliance.
• Performed geotechnical analyses and numerical modeling to determine causes of structural and geotechnical failures.
• Managed projects to ensure adherence to scope, schedule, and budget.
• Communicated findings and project updates effectively to clients.
• Authored comprehensive geotechnical and forensic reports summarizing field findings, analysis, and recommendations.

Select Projects:

• Conducted field investigations and evaluated the design and performance of over 20 residential and commercial slab-on-grade foundations.
• Investigated and analyzed foundation failures involving excessive settlement or heave in multiple structures supported by deep foundations.
• Conducted forensic investigations of pavement failures across multiple projects, identifying geotechnical causes and design or construction deficiencies.
• Assessed the failure of a metal forging hammer foundation constructed over a Geopier-reinforced subgrade in Longview, TX.
• Investigated and modeled the failure of multiple MSE walls along a major highway corridor in Dallas, TX.
• Conducted settlement analysis of a mat foundation supporting a high-rise structure in Manhattan, NY.
• Investigated the failure of a wastewater pipeline and associated pavement settlement in Palmview, TX.
• Analyzed the failure of an underground plumbing system beneath a five-story medical facility in San Francisco, CA.
• Conducted forensic analysis of a secant pile wall failure with significant concrete overbreak during shaft construction in Seattle, WA.
• Investigated differential settlement of a concrete slab supporting a meal silo in Spiritwood, ND.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducted research on a wide range of geotechnical topics, including numerical modeling of soil-water-structure interaction, seismic liquefaction, and earthquake-induced flow failures.
• Prepared manuscripts for peer-reviewed journal and conference publications.
• Presented research findings at geotechnical conferences.
• Served as a teaching assistant, delivering lectures and leading geotechnical laboratory sessions.

Select Journal Publications:

• Farzi Sizkow, Saman, and Usama El Shamy. "Seismic response analysis of submerged slopes using coupled SPH–DEM scheme." International Journal of Geomechanics 22, no. 12 (2022): 04022223.
• Sizkow, Saman Farzi, and Usama El Shamy. "SPH-DEM modeling of the seismic response of shallow foundations resting on liquefiable sand." Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 156 (2022): 107210.
• Sizkow, Saman Farzi, and Usama El Shamy. "SPH-DEM simulations of saturated granular soils liquefaction incorporating particles of irregular shape." Computers and Geotechnics134 (2021): 104060.
• El Shamy, Usama, and Saman Farzi Sizkow. "Coupled SPH-DEM simulations of liquefaction-induced flow failure." Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 144 (2021): 106683.
• Sizkow, Saman Farzi, and Usama El Shamy. "Discrete-element method simulations of the seismic response of flexible retaining walls." Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 147, no. 2 (2021): 04020157.
• El Shamy, Usama, and Saman Farzi Sizkow. "Coupled smoothed particle hydrodynamics-discrete element method simulations of soil liquefaction and its mitigation using gravel drains." Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 140 (2021): 106460.