Mark Jaksa

Emeritus Professor Mark Jaksa

Emeritus Professor

School of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology


Professor Mark Jaksa is Emeritus Professor of Geotechnical Engineering in the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Adelaide, Australia. After an academic career of 36 years at the University of Adelaide, Mark retired at the end of 2023 and is now serving as Emeritus Professor. Before beginning his academic career in 1988, he spent 4 years practicing as a consulting geotechnical and civil engineer in Adelaide and Canberra. He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in Civil Engineering and a PhD, both from the University of Adelaide.

He has published more than 230 papers, chapters and reports on various aspects of geotechnical engineering research and teaching. His primary areas of expertise are in the characterisation of the spatial variability of soils, probabilistic analyses, artificial intelligence, ground improvement and enhancing learning in geotechnical engineering. He has received several awards recognising his contributions to learning and teaching in geotechnical engineering.

Mark is a former Chair of the Australian Geomechanics Society and Vice-President for Australasia and Treasurer of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. He also previously served as the Chair of the ISSMGE’s Technical Committee, TC306, on Geo-engineering Education and was a member of TC304, Risk Assessment and Management.

His research interests include:
- Spatial variability of soils
- Probabilistic analysis and design in geotechnical engineering
- Artificial intelligence (ANNs, SVM, GP)
- Ground improvement using rolling dynamic compaction and dynamic compaction
- Lunar geotechnics
- Geostatistics
- Optimisation of site investigations
- Slope stability and riverbank collapse modelling
- Numerical modelling in geotechnical engineering
- Earthquake geotechnical engineering
- Expansive and unsaturated soils
- Residential footing design
- Environmental geotechnics and landfills
- In situ testing of soils (CPT, DMT, DCP, Nuclear density meter)
- Tensile capacity of small ground anchors
- Geotechnical engineering education.

Professor Mark Jaksa is Emeritus Professor of Geotechnical Engineering in the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Adelaide, Australia.  After an academic career of 36 years at the University of Adelaide, Mark retired at the end of 2023 and is now serving as Emeritus Professor.  Before beginning his academic career in 1988, he spent 4 years practicing as a consulting geotechnical and civil engineer in Adelaide and Canberra.  He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in Civil Engineering and a PhD, both from the University of Adelaide.

He has published more than 230 papers, chapters and reports on various aspects of geotechnical engineering research and teaching.  His primary areas of expertise are in the characterisation of the spatial variability of soils, probabilistic analyses, artificial intelligence, ground improvement, unsaturated soils, lunar geotechnics, and enhancing learning in geotechnical engineering.  He has received several awards recognising his contributions to learning and teaching in geotechnical engineering.

Mark is a former Chair of the Australian Geomechanics Society and Vice-President for Australasia and Treasurer of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.  He is the past Chair of the ISSMGE’s Technical Committee, TC306, on Geo-engineering Education and a member of TC304, Risk Assessment and Management.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2024 - ongoing Emeritus Professor University of Adelaide
    2013 - 2023 Professor University of Adelaide
    2012 - 2015 Head of School University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2010 - 2012 Associate Dean (Curriculum and Quality) University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2007 - 2012 Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2006 - 2008 Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2001 - 2001 Visiting Research Fellow Dalhousie University
    1998 - 2006 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    1996 - 1999 Associate Dean (Facilities) University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    1995 - 1998 Lecturer University of Adelaide
    1988 - 1991 Tutor University of Adelaide
    1985 - 1987 Civil Engineer B. C. Tonkin and Associates
    1984 - 1985 Geotechnical Engineer Coffey and Partners Pty. Ltd.
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2013 Teaching Award Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research, and Tertiary Education Award for Industry Engagement in Engineering Education Australasian Assoc. for Engineering Education Australia -
    2006 Teaching Award Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Carrick Institute (now Office for Learning and Teaching) Australia $10,000
    2005 Recognition Outstanding Reviewer Award Computers and Geotechnics, Elsevier - -
    2005 Teaching Award Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching University of Adelaide Australia -
    2005 Teaching Award Stephen Cole the Elder Prizes for Excellence in Teaching University of Adelaide Australia $5,000
    2005 Teaching Award Inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching University of Adelaide Australia -
    1996 Research Award Joint Societies Award of the Australian Geomechanics and New Zealand Geotechnical Societies Australian Geomechanics and New Zealand Geotechnical Societies Australia -
    1982 Award James Hardie Pipeline Award in Civil Engineering University of Adelaide Australia -
  • Language Competencies

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

    Date Institution name Country Title
    1988 - 1995 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    1979 - 1983 University of Adelaide Australia B.E.(Hons.)
  • Certifications

    Date Title Institution name Country
    2015 Licence to Perform High Risk Work - Forklift Driver's Licence Access Training Centre Australia
    2005 Urban Service and Rescue Engineer, Level 1 Metropolitan Fire Service Australia
    2005 Urban Service and Rescue Engineer, Level 2 Metropolitan Fire Service Australia
  • Research Interests

Funded Competitive Grants ($6.81 million)

  • ARC Discovery-Projects Grant; $450,000 (3-year); J. Xue; C. Gallage; M.B. Jaksa; Y. Chen; D. Lacey; A. Shahkolahi; S. Afkar; J. Murray; Novel test and design methods for base course reinforced flexible pavements (LP220100186), 2023-2026
  • ARC Discovery-Projects Grant; $450,000 (3-year); O.P. Buzzi; J.A. Pineda; M.B. Jaksa; M. Lloret-Cabot; Infrastructure on reactive soils: fundamental advances and validation (DP230100047), 2023-2025
  • ARC Discovery-Projects Grant; $250,000 (3-year); D.W. Airey, M.B. Jaksa; Lightly loaded energy farm foundations in cracked desiccated soil (DP22013611), 2022–2024
  • ARC Linkage-Projects Grant; $691,265 (3-year); M.B. Jaksa, A.B. Fourie, A. Deng; Accelerating Consolidation and Closure of Mine Tailings Storage Facilities (LP200200216), 2021–2024
  • ARC Linkage-Projects Grant; $492,831 (3-year); N. Khalili, A. Russell, M. B. Jaksa, G. Mostyn; Experimental investigation and constitutive modelling of reactive soils subject to osmotic and matric suction alterations (LP180100235), 2019–2021
  • ARC Linkage-Projects Grant; $483,000 (3-year); M. B. Jaksa, D. W. Airey; Modelling rolling dynamic compaction (LP160101008), 2016–2019
  • University of Adelaide Equipment Round Grant; $145,000 cash; M.B. Jaksa; Tekscan Pressure mapping for engineering applications, 2016
  • Researchers in Business; $50,690 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa, B. T. Scott; Establishment of a research and development facility for modelling effectiveness of ground improvement techniques, 2014
  • Goyder Institute Research Project; $494,762 (2½-year); M. B. Jaksa, B. Ostendorf, T. Hubble, D. Petley; Riverbank collapse in the Lower River Murray (E.1.8), 2013–2015
  • Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC; $600,000 (8-year); M. Griffith, H. Derakhshan, M. Jaksa, A. Sheikh, M. Ali, T. Ozbakkaloglu, C. Ng, P. Visintin, N. Lam, H. Goldsworthy; Cost-effective mitigation strategy development for building related earthquake risk – Phase 2, 2013–2021
  • ARC Discovery-Projects Grant; $320,000 (3-year); M. B. Jaksa, D. W. Airey; Impact of rolling dynamic compaction (DP120101761), 2012–2014
  • ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Grant; $700,000 (1-year); C. Gaudin, M. J. Cassidy, M. F. Randolph, D. J. White, S. W. Sloan, J. P. Carter, B. N. Indraratna, D. J. Williams, J. K. Kodikara, M. B. Jaksa, K. Krabbenhoft, A. B. Fourie, R. S. Merifield, C. Rujikiatkamjorn, X. Geng, D. Pedroso, A. Scheuermann, A. Bouazza; The national geotechnical centrifuge facility (LE120100011), 2012
  • ALTC Innovation & Development; $199,000 (2-year); M. B. Jaksa, D. W. Airey, J. K. Kodikara, M. A. Shahin, S. T. S. Yuen; Developing engaging, effective and enlightening practical experiments in geotechnical engineering (ID11-1958), 2011–2013
  • ARC Linkage-International Grant; $17,357 (2-year); M. B. Jaksa, G. A. Fenton, D. V. Griffiths, K. K. Phoon, B. McCabe; Influence of spatial variability on the design and performance of pile foundations (LX0667328), 2006–2007
  • ARC Linkage-Projects Grant; $1,061,200 cash + $1,643,891 in-kind (5-year); S. Yuen, N. Ashwath, G. Swarbrick, P. Newman, M. Jaksa, M. Jones, J. Cox, I. Watkins, P. Lightbody, R. Stuart, M. Jorgensen, R. Yeates, M. Greenway; Phytocapping for sustainable waste containment systems and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and odour from waste disposal sites (LP0561914), 2005–2010
  • ARC Linkage-Projects Grant; $116,793 cash + $39,000 in-kind (3-year); M. B. Jaksa, S. P. Hunt, G. W. O’Brien, P. J. Boult; A new geomechanical tool for the evaluation of hydrocarbon trap integrity (LP0560741), 2005–2007
  • ARC Discovery-Projects Grant; $233,500 (3-year); M. B. Jaksa, G. A. Fenton, H. G. Poulos, W. S. Kaggwa; Reducing the risk of foundation failures by improving the effectiveness of geotechnical investigations (DP0211195), 2002–2004
  • ARC IREX Grant; $5,000 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa, G. A. Fenton; Reducing the risk of foundation failures by improving the effectiveness of geotechnical investigations (X00106724), 2001
  • University Matching Funds for Information Technology Development; $15,000 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa; Improving the effectiveness of computer aided teaching in geotechnical engineering, 2000
  • Small ARC Grant; $5,000 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa; Estimating ground surface movements in expansive soils due to the influence of trees, 2000
  • Small ARC Grant; $8,500 (1-year); W. S. Kaggwa, M. B. Jaksa; Investigation of time-dependent distress in earth-retaining structures in cohesive soils, 1998
  • Small ARC Grant; $7,000 (1-year); R. G. Jarrett, M. B. Jaksa; The analysis of data from residential foundations built on expansive soils, using a probabilistic approach, 1998
  • Small ARC Grant; $6,631 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa, W. S. Kaggwa; The effects of variations in construction practice on the performance of earth-retaining structures in cohesive soils, 1996
  • Teaching Development Grant; $2,500 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa, W. S. Kaggwa; Upgrading the existing computer aided teaching suite in geotechnical engineering, 1995
  • Teaching Development Grant; $5,000 (1-year); W. S. Kaggwa, M. B. Jaksa, T. M. Daniell; Teaching programme in geotechnical engineering using computer simulation, 1994
  • Teaching Development Grant; $4,500 (1-year); W. S. Kaggwa, M. B. Jaksa, T. M. Daniell; Teaching programme in geotechnical engineering using computer simulation, 1993
  • Small ARC Grant; $42,030 (3-year); M. B. Jaksa, P. W. Mitchell; A probabilistic approach to the design of residential foundations, 1993–1995
  • Minor URG Grant; $1,650 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa; An investigation of the spatial variability of the Keswick Clay, 1992
     

Funded Non-competitive Grants ($170k)

  • Contract Research – Broons; $36,000; M. B. Jaksa, B. T. Scott; The impact of rolling dynamic compaction, 2012–2014
  • Contract Research – Dept. Planning, Transport and Infrastructure; $15,000 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa and M. Drechsler; Estimating in situ CBR from dynamic cone penetrometer tests using artificial neural networks, 2012
  • Contract Research – Broons; $24,000; M. B. Jaksa,  B. T. Scott; The impact of rolling dynamic compaction, 2011–2012
  • Contract Research – Dept. Transport, Energy and Infrastructure; $38,000 (1-year); W. S. Kaggwa and M. B. Jaksa; Development of methods for the design and construction of revetment structures in unsaturated clays, 2009
  • Industry Grant – Broons; $33,000 (3-year); M. B. Jaksa; The impact of rolling dynamic compaction, 2007–2009
  • Industry Grant – Technical Assessing (SA); $2,500 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa; Moisture diffusion through expansive soils, 2007
  • Industry Grant – Pentarch and DSTO; $4,000 (1-year); M. B. Jaksa; Remediation of soils contaminated with explosives, 2006
  • Footings Group, S.A. Research Grant; $2,360; M. B. Jaksa, D. A. Cameron, R. Sinclair; Estimation of tree-induced ground surface movements in expansive soils, 1998
  • Transport SA Grant; $15,000 in-kind; M. B. Jaksa; The influence of spatial variability on the geotechnical design properties of a stiff, overconsolidated clay, 1992–1993

Undergraduate Courses (Former):
Advanced Civil Geotechnical Engineering
Architecture IA

Architecture Studio IB
Architecture IC
Architecture ID
Architecture IIIC
Architecture Project II
Civil & Environmental Engineering I
Civil Engineering Design Project N
Construction Management and Surveying
Design Practice

Environmental Engineering III
Geotechnical Engineering II
Geotechnical Engineering Design III
Instrumentation and Computing IV
Introduction to Geo-engineering

Introduction to Infrastructure
Landscape Design Studio III
Research Project

Technology and the Built Environment II
Unsaturated Soils

Postgraduate Courses (Former):
Advanced Civil Geotechnical Engineering PG
Geotechnical Engineering PG

Introduction to Geostatistics
Unsaturated Soils

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Co-Supervisor Dewatering of fine-grained materials using electrokinetic technique Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Qianli Zheng
    2023 Co-Supervisor Surveying the geotechnical properties of the lunar surface and subsurface using penetrometers and seismic methods. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Karlis Slumba
    2022 Co-Supervisor Site Preparation and Ground Improvement on the Moon Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Akshay Kumar Agarwal
    2019 Principal Supervisor Experimental investigation and constitutive modelling of reactive soils subject to osmotic (or solute) and matric suction alterations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Richard Anton Herraman
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Rolling Dynamic Compaction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Yue Chen
    2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor The Optimization of Geotechnical Site Investigations for Pile Design in Multiple Layer Soil Profiles using a Risk-Based Approach Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Michael Perry Crisp
    2015 - 2018 Co-Supervisor A Study of Arching Effect in Soils Incorporating Recycled Tyres Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Hamidreza Khatami
    2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Assessment and stabilization of micaceous soils Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jiahe Zhang
    2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Discrete Element Modelling of Geocell-Reinforced Railway Ballast and Experimental Examination of Geocell Failure Mechanisms Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Yang Liu
    2013 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Quantifying the Seismic Site Amplification Characteristics of Adelaide's Regolith Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Bambang Setiawan .
    2012 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Prediction of the Effectiveness of Rolling Dynamic Compaction Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques and In Situ Soil Test Data Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tharanga Ranasinghe
    2012 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Analysis of Rock Performance under Three-Dimensional Stress, to Predict Instability in Deep Boreholes Master of Engineering Science Master Full Time Mr Arash Mir
    2012 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Drilling and maintaining stable unsupported boreholes in poorly cemented sandy formations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Sam Saeed Hashemi
    2011 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Relationship Between Input and Output: A Systematic Study of the Stability of Highly Fractured Rock Slopes Using the Hoek-Brown Strength Criterion Master of Engineering Science Master Part Time Mr Qian Qian
    2010 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Spatial Simulation Based Riverbank Slope Instability and Susceptibility Assessment in the Lower River Murray Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Chen Liang
    2009 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Assessing Liquefaction Potential of Soils utilising In-Situ Testing Master of Engineering Science Master Full Time Mr Bambang Setiawan .
    2008 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Suitability of Energy Cropping on Abandoned Metal Contaminated Farmland Master of Engineering Science Master Part Time Ms Sally Rebecca Egan
    2007 - 2020 Principal Supervisor The Impact of Rolling Dynamic Compaction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Brendan Scott
    2006 - 2013 Principal Supervisor Water Balance and the Influence of Temporal Factors on Final Covers for Landfill Closure Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Melissa Salt
    2006 - 2009 Principal Supervisor Effect of Limited Site Investigations on Pile Design and Performance Master of Engineering Science Master Full Time Mr Ardy Arsyad
    2004 - 2014 Co-Supervisor An Integrated Model Risk Evaluation Model for Mineral Deposits Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Grant Deon Nicholas
    2003 - 2009 Principal Supervisor Effect of Soil Variability on the Bearing Capacity of Footings on Multi-Layered Soil' Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Yien Kuo
    2003 - 2009 Principal Supervisor Modelling the Effects of Soil Variability and Vegetation on the Stability of Natural Slopes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Yun Chok
    2002 - 2006 Principal Supervisor Quantifying the risk of Geotechnical Site Investigations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jason Goldsworthy
    1999 - 2003 Principal Supervisor USE OF ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS FOR PREDICTING SETTLEMENT OF SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS ON COHESIONLESS SOILS Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Mohamed Shahin
  • Position: Emeritus Professor
  • Phone: 83134314
  • Email: mark.jaksa@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83134359
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Engineering North, floor Second Floor
  • Room: N231E
  • Org Unit: Civil Engineering

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