Biography
Farimah is a PhD student in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Galway. Her current research investigates the creep behaviour of peat soils under surcharged embankments. She has over six years of professional experience as the head of geotechnical departments, where she supervised soil and concrete laboratories and managed geotechnical investigations for various projects. Her previous research focused on stabilizing problematic soils, such as dispersive and expansive clays, using eco-friendly materials.
Peat soils, which cover 17% of Ireland, play a vital role in storing carbon and supporting biodiversity. However, they present challenges for construction due to their high compressibility and tendency to long-term settlement. Traditional methods, like removing and replacing peat, are costly and environmentally damaging. This research explores a more sustainable approach: applying temporary surcharge load to overconsolidate the peat before road construction. This study monitors how peat settles over time under surcharging, aiming to reduce long-term maintenance needs and provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional practices.
Role
- Postgraduate Researcher
Institution
- NUIG
Research Area
- Earth System Change