
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
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
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
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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
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Conference Papers
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
- CIVILENG 1002 - Introduction to Infrastructure
2nd Year
- CIVILENG 2004 - Introduction to Geo-engineering
- CIVILENG 2005 - Transportation Engineering & Survey
- CONMGNT 2001 - Transport and Traffic Management
3rd Year
- CIVILENG 3003 - Structural Steel Design
- CIVILENG 3006 - Geotechnical Engineering
4th Year
- CIVILENG 4007 - Unsaturated Soils
Master Course
- CIVILENG 7303 - Structural Steel Design
- CIVILENG 7306 - Geotechnical Engineering
- CIVILENG 7407 - Unsaturated Soils
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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
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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
Connect With Me
External Profiles