Mr Akshay Kumar Agarwal

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

School of Civil Engineering and Construction

College of Engineering and Information 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

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

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

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)

Year Citation
2024 Agarwal, A. K., Jaksa, M. B., Scott, B. T., & Kuo, Y. L. (2024). Compaction Testing on Lunar Highland Simulant Using a Vibrating Drum Roller. In Proceedings of the 19th ASCE ASD Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction and Operations in Challenging Environment (Earth and Space 2024) (pp. 763-773). Miami Florida: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
DOI
2023 Agarwal, A. K., Kuo, Y. L., Jaksa, M., & Scott, B. (2023). Density, strength and compressibility characteristics of lunar regolith simulant. In Australian Geomechanics Society. Cairns.
2023 Scott, B., Kuo, Y. L., Jaksa, M., & Agarwal, A. K. (2023). Compaction trial on lunar regolith simulant. In Australian Geomechanics Society. Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns. Queensland, Australia.

Research Agreement with Astroport Space Technologies re new scale model Lunar Vibrating Drum Roller (LVDR-2)

AUD 30000

November 2024 - November 2025

Funding agency

Astroport Space technologies Inc

Principal investigator

Brendan T Scott

Co-investigators

Akshay Kumar Agarwal, William Foster-Hall, Kevin Farries

 

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
 

 

 

 

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

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

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

Date Role Membership Country
2020 - ongoing Member Engineers Australia Australia

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

Other Links