Richard J. Armstrong, Ph.D., P.E.
Dr. Richard Armstrong has project and research experience in the seismic evaluation of dams and other water-resource structures. Specializing in computational mechanics and earthquake engineering, he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at CSU, Sacramento in mechanics, computer programming, and earthquake engineering. Dr. Armstrong also serves as the instructor and administrator at Geoanalysis Support providing training and learning support on geotechnical analyses, especially using FLAC®. He is a member of EERI and USSD. He serves as a committee member on the USSD Earthquakes Committee.
EDUCATION AND REGISTRATION
Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, 2010
M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 2005
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Manitoba, Canada, 2003
Registered Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Senior Engineer, California Division of Safety of Dams, Sacramento, CA (2024 - present)
Associate Professor (Professional leave), California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), CA (2020 – present)
Senior Engineer (on-call services), GEI Consultants, Rancho Cordova, CA (2018 – 2024)
Assistant Professor, California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), CA (2015 – 2020)
Design Engineer, California Division of Safety of Dams, Sacramento, CA (2009 – 2015)
TEACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
Training Courses:
Analysis of Embankment Dams and Slopes Using FLAC2D/3D, Geoanalysis Support, (June 2024)
Analysis of Embankment Dams and Slopes Using FLAC, Geoanalysis Support (9 offerings, 2020 - 2023)
Site Response and Ground Motions using Python and FLAC, Geoanalysis Support (4 offerings, 2021 - 2022)
FLAC EDU Kickstarter in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Geoanalysis Support (June 2022)
Seismic Deformation Analysis of Embankment Dams Using FLAC, Client: Dam Watch Ltd., Virtual, (2016)
Scientific Computing with Python, Client: Office of Water Programs, Sacramento, CA, (2016)
Seismic Deformation Analysis of Embankment Dams Using FLAC, Department of Water Resources, Sacramento, CA, (2013)
Instruction at California State University, Sacramento:
Mechanics of Materials (ENGR 112)
Computer Applications in Civil Engineering (CE 101)
Soil Mechanics (CE 170)
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (CE 175)
Finite Element Analysis (CE 261)
Geotechnical Modeling (CE 272)
Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (CE 274)
PROJECT AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Seismic Evaluations of Embankment Dams:
Novato Creek Dam (2010), Del Valle Dam (2013), Stevens Creek Dam (2013), Lake Orinda Dam (2014), Thermalito Afterbay (2015), Camanche Dam (2015), Chabot Dam (2015)
Non-linear Deformation Analysis (i.e., FLAC) Studies:
Piled embankment centrifuge tests (2010), Los Vaqueros Dam (2010), Stevens Creek Dam (2013), Calaveras Dam (2014), Lake Orinda Dam (2014), Camanche Dam (2015), Chabot Dam (2015), LEAP lateral spread centrifuge tests (2016), Lenihan Dam (2018), Anderson Dam (2018), Kidd Lake Auxiliary Dam (2019), El Capitan Dam (2020), Oroville Dam (2024)
Ground Motion Development Studies:
Stevens Creek Dam (2013), Lake Orinda Dam (2014), Camanche Dam (2015), Chabot Dam (2015), East Bay Municipal Utilities District Inner Harbor Crossing (2019), Santa Felicia Dam (2020)
PUBLICATIONS
Journals:
13. Armstrong, R., Kishida, T., and Park, D. (2021). Efficiency of ground motion intensity measures with earthquake-induced earth dam deformations. Earthquake Spectra. 37(1).
12. Kishida, T., Park, D., Sousa, R., Armstrong, R., and Byon, Y. (2020). Modulus reductions of dam embankment materials based on downhole array time series. Earthquake Spectra. 36(1).
11. Zeghal, M., Goswami, N., Kutter, B.L., Manzari, M.T., Abdoun, T., Arduino, P., Armstrong, R.J., Beaty, M.H., Chen, Y., Ghofrani, A., Haigh, S.K., Hung. W., Lai, S., Kokkali, P., Lee, C.J., Madabhushi, S.P., Tobita, T., Ueda, K., Zhou, Y., Ziotopoulou, K. (2018). Stress-strain response of the LEAP centrifuge tests and numerical predictions. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 113.
10. Manzari, M.T., El Ghoraiby, M., Kutter, B.L., Zeghal, M., Abdoun, T., Arduino, P., Armstrong, R.J., Beaty, M.H., Carey, T., Chen, Y., Ghofrani, A., Gutierrez, D., Goswami, N., Haigh, S.K., Hung, W., Lai, S., Kokkali, P., Lee, C.J., Madabhushi, S.P., Mejia, L., Sharp, M., Tobita, T., Ueda, K., Zhou, Y., Ziotopoulou, K. (2018). Liquefaction experiment and analysis projects (LEAP): summary of observations from the planning phase. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 113.
9. Armstrong, R. (2018). Numerical analysis of LEAP centrifuge experiments using a practice-based approach. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 113.
8. DeJong, J., Ghafghazi, M., Sturm, A., Wilson, D., den Dulk, J., Armstrong, R., Perez, A., and Davis, C. (2017). Instrumented Becker Penetration Test I: Equipment, Operation, and Performance. J. Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Eng. 143(9).
7. Armstrong, R. (2016). Procedure for selecting and modifying earthquake motions to multiple intensity measures. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 89.
6. Armstrong, R. and Malvick, E. (2016). Practical considerations in the use of liquefaction susceptibility criteria. Earthquake Spectra, EERI, EERI. 32(3).
5. Armstrong, R., Boulanger, R., and Beaty, M. (2014). Equivalent-static analysis of piled bridge abutments affected by earthquake-induced liquefaction. J. Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Eng., ASCE, 140(8).
4. DeJong, J., Ghafghazi, M., Strum, A., Armstrong, R., Perez, A., and Davis, C. (2014). A new instrumented Becker penetration test (iBPT) for improved characterization of gravelly deposits within an underlying dam. The Journal of Dam Safety, ASDSO, 12(2), 9–19.
3. Malvick, E., Armstrong, R., and Martin, K. (2014). Estimating the dynamic shear strength of soils for dam seismic safety analyses. The Journal of Dam Safety, ASDSO. 12(3), 9–20.
2. Armstrong, R., Boulanger, R., and Beaty, M. (2013). Liquefaction effects on piled bridge abutments: centrifuge tests and numerical analyses. J. Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Eng., ASCE 139(3), 433–43.
1. Armstrong, R., DeJong, J., and Yafrate, N. (2010). Engaging students with diverse learning styles in large, media-intensive geotechnical engineering classes using an integrated Tablet PC - Classroom Communication System platform. The Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 15, 1–22.
Conferences and Magazines:
30. Mejia, L., Montgomery, J., Beaty, M., Armstrong, R., and Abbaszadeh, S. (accepted). USSD Guidelines on Analysis of Seismic Deformations of Embankment Dams. Proceedings, 2024 Geocongress.
29. Kishida, T., Sousa, R., Byon, Y., Park, D., and Armstrong, R. (2019). Data processing of downhole records in embankment dams to extract insitu modulus reduction curves. Proceedings, 7th International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering.
28. Armstrong, R., Kishida, T., and Park, D. (2019). Seismic earth-dam deformation identification. Proceedings, 2019 Annual United States Society of Dams Conference.
27. Armstrong, R., Kishida, T., and Park, D. (2018). Efficiency of ground motion intensity measures with earthquake-induced earth dam deformations. Proceedings, 2018 SMIP18 Seminar on Utilization of Strong Motion Data.
26. Armstrong, R., Park, D., and Gullen, A. (2018). Cyclic soil behavior of common constitutive models used in non-linear deformation analyses of embankment dams. Proceedings, 2018 Annual United States Society of Dams Conference.
25. Armstrong, R. (2017). Relationship between earthquake ground motion intensity measures and embankment dam deformations. Proceedings, 2017 SMIP17 Seminar on Utilization of Strong Motion Data.
24. Armstrong, R. (2017). Use of the conditional mean for improved prediction of ground motion intensity measures for embankment dams. Proceedings, 2017 Annual United States Society of Dams Conference.
23. Armstrong, R. and Boulanger, R. (2015). Numerical simulations of liquefaction effects on piled bridge abutments. Proceedings, 6th International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering.
22. Kutter, B., Carey, T., Hahimoto, T., Manzari, M., Vasko, A., Zeghal, M., and Armstrong, R. (2015). LEAP Databases for verification, validation, and calibration of codes of liquefaction. Proceedings, 6th International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering.
21. Armstrong, R. (2014). Comparison of BPT-SPT correlations at gravelly alluvial dam site. Proceedings, 2014 GeoCongress Geo-Characterization and Modeling for Sustainability.
20. Armstrong, R. and Malvick, E. (2014). Comparison of liquefaction susceptibility methods. Proceedings, 2014 Annual United States Society of Dams Conference.
19. Cvijanovic, V., Schultz, M., and Armstrong, R. (2014). Application of nonlinear analysis methods to hydraulic structures subject to extreme loading conditions. Proceedings, 2014 Annual United States Society of Dams Conference.
18. Ghafghazi, M., DeJong, J., Strum, A., Wilson, D., Davis, C., Perez, A., and Armstrong, R. (2014). Characterization of gravelly soils for liquefaction potential assessment at dam sites using the iBPT. Proceedings, 2014 Annual United States Society of Dams Conference.
17. Ghafghazi, M., Thurairajah, A., DeJong, J., Wilson, D., and Armstrong, R. (2014). Instrumented Becker penetration test for improved characterization of gravelly deposits. Proceedings, 2014 GeoCongress Geo-Characterization and Modeling for Sustainability.
16. Kutter, B., Manzari, M., Zeghal, Y., Zhou, G., and Armstrong, R. (2014) Proposed outline for LEAP verification and validation processes. Geotechnics for Catastrophic Flooding Events. p. 99–108.
15. Montgomery, J., Boulanger, R., Armstrong, R., and Malvick, E. (2014). Anisotropic undrained strength parameters for non-linear deformation analyses of embankment dams. Proceedings, 2014 GeoCongress Geo-Characterization and Modeling for Sustainability.
14. Malvick, E., Armstrong, R., Martin, K., and Huynh, P. (2014). An approach to evaluate the dynamic strength of soils at dam sites. Proceedings, 2014 Annual United States Society of Dams Conference.
13. Ziotopoulou, K., Maharjan, M., Boulanger, R., Beaty, M., Armstrong, R., and Takahashi, A. (2014). Constitutive modeling of liquefaction effects in sloping ground. 10th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering.
12. Armstrong, R., Malvick, E., and Hansra, H. (2013). Evaluation of empirical predictive models used to predict earthquake-induced slope deformations. Proceedings, 2013 GeoCongress, Stability and Performance of Slopes and Embankments III.
11. Ghafghazi, M., Thurairajah, A., DeJong, J., Wilson, D., and Armstrong, R. (2013). Characterization of gravelly soils for liquefaction potential assessment in dam foundations. USSD Newsletter, 159, 30–33.
10. Armstrong, R., Malvick, E., and Howard, J. (2011). Consistency of ground motion parameters from non-linear embankment analyses. 4th IASPEI/IAEE International Symposium: Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion.
9. Malvick, E., Armstrong, R., and Howard, J. (2011). Consistency of ground motion parameters from site response analyses with empirical predictions. 4th IASPEI/IAEE International Symposium: Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion.
8. Armstrong, R., Boulanger, R., and Beaty, M. (2010). Non-linear numerical modeling of centrifuge-test results for embankments underlain by liquefied soil. USSD Newsletter, 151.
7. Armstrong, R., Boulanger, R., and Beaty, M. (2010). Non-linear numerical modeling of centrifuge-test results for embankments underlain by liquefied soil. Proceedings, 30th Annual United States Society of Dams Conference.
6. Armstrong, R., Boulanger, R., and Beaty, M. (2010). Non-linear dynamic modeling of bridge embankments underlain by liquefied soil. Joint Conference Proceedings, 7th International Conference on Urban Earthquake Engineering and 5th International Conference on Earthquake Engineering.
5. Armstrong, R., DeJong, J., and Yafrate, N. (2010). Engaging students with diverse learning styles in large geotechnical engineering classes. Proceedings, Geo-Frontiers 2010 Congress.
4. Armstrong, R., Boulanger, R., Gulerce, U., Kutter, B., and Wilson, D. (2008). Centrifuge modeling of pile pinning effects. Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics IV.
3. Boulanger, R., Chang, D., Brandenberg, S., Armstrong, R., and Kutter, B. (2007). Seismic design of piled foundation for liquefaction effects. Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering, 4th International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering – Invited Lectures, K. D. Pitilakis, ed., Springer, The Netherlands, 277–302.
2. Borja, R., Andrade, J., and Armstrong, R. (2004). Combined deterministic-stochastic analysis of local site response. 13th World Conference of Earthquake Engineering.
1. Armstrong, R. and Alfaro, M. (2003). Reduction of seismic-induced pressures on rigid retaining structures using compressible inclusion: a numerical study. 56th Canadian Geotechnical Conference.