Akshay Kumar Agarwal

Akshay Kumar Agarwal

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

School of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Innovative Civil Engineering Researcher | Expert in Geotechnical Solutions, Lunar Simulants, and Intelligent Compaction | Educator & Mentor Driving Innovation in Space Ground Engineering

My research lies at the intersection of geotechnical engineering and space exploration, with a particular focus on supporting NASA’s Artemis programme through the development of lunar infrastructure. As part of the Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources at the University of Adelaide, I investigate the mechanical behaviour of lunar regolith simulants and the feasibility of in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) for long-term human habitation on the Moon.

A key component of my work involves the use of scaled terrestrial compaction equipment to assess surface and subsurface responses of lunar highland simulants under different loading conditions. Through this research, I aim to advance the understanding of lunar soil mechanics, optimise compaction techniques for extraterrestrial applications, and contribute to the design of sustainable off-Earth infrastructure to support future deep space exploration

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2021 - ongoing Teaching Assistant The University of Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2022 Scholarship The University of Adelaide Research Scholorship The University of Adelaide Australia A$3,00,000 (Approximately)
    2020 Scholarship Global Citizenship Scholarship The University of Adelaide Australia 15% of tution fees

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    Hindi Can read, speak and understand spoken

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2020 - 2021 The University of Adelaide Australia Master of Engineering (Civil and Structural)
    2009 - 2013 Barkatullah University India Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)

  • Research Interests
    Civil Geotechnical Engineering Space sciences Planetary Science Structural Engineering

Research Agreement with Astroport Space Technologies re various compaction methods

AUD 15000

July 2022 - December 2024

Funding agency

Astroport Space technologies Inc

Principal investigator

Brendan T Scott

Co-investigators

Akshay Kumar Agarwal, Mark B. Jaksa, Kevin Farries

 

 

University of Adelaide Scholarship

AUD 120,000

June 2022 - Nov 2025


 

Bachelor Course
1st Year 
  1. CIVILENG 1002 - Introduction to Infrastructure
2nd Year
  1. CIVILENG 2004 - Introduction to Geo-engineering
  2. CIVILENG 2005 - Transportation Engineering & Survey
  3. CONMGNT 2001 - Transport and Traffic Management
3rd Year
  1. CIVILENG 3003 - Structural Steel Design
  2. CIVILENG 3006 - Geotechnical Engineering
4th Year
  1. CIVILENG 4007 - Unsaturated Soils
 
Master Course
  1. CIVILENG 7303 - Structural Steel Design
  2. CIVILENG 7306 - Geotechnical Engineering
  3. CIVILENG 7407 - Unsaturated Soils
 

 

 

 

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Lunar ground improvement using a vibrating drum roller The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Engineering Honours Full Time Daniela Jaud, Nicolette Miller, Tasha Spratling, Lane Whittaker
    2024 - 2024 Co-Supervisor The effect of vacuum on the geotechnical behaviour of lunar simulant The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Engineering Honours Full Time Dylan Croft, Alex Duffy, Ruben Carreno, Harrison Reid
    2023 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Lunar Ground Improvement The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Engineering Honours Full Time Mazen Aintarazy, Salvador Bartkowski, Michael Cerbo, Reon Evaristo

  • Mentoring
    Date Topic Location Name
    2022 - 2022 Rolling Dynamic Compaction of Lunar Regolith Simulant The University of Adelaide Wing Kit Chan, Karan Pattabiraman, Sergey Zhukovskiy

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2024 - 2025 Member AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS Geo-Institute United States

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2020 - ongoing Member Engineers Australia Australia

  • Presentation
    Date Topic Presented at Institution Country
    2024 - 2024 Compaction testing on lunar highland simulant using a vibrating drum roller 19th Biennial ASCE Earth & Space 2024 Conference, Miami, Florida Florida International University United States
    2023 - 2023 Site preperation and Ground Improvement on the Moon Second International Symposium on Off-Earth Construction, Adelaide Convention Centre The Australian Society for Off-Earth Construction (ASOC) Australia
    2023 - 2023 Density, strength and compressibility characteristics of lunar regolith simulant 14th Australia and New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics, Cairns 2023 Australian Geomechanics Society Australia
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