Eric Steward

Eric Steward serves as Associate Professor of Civil/Geotechnical Engineering and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs in the College of Engineering at the University of South Alabama. He is a licensed Professional Engineer specializing in geotechnical systems and infrastructure rehabilitation.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. Engineering from Louisiana Tech University
• M.S. Civil Engineering from Louisiana Tech University
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Dr. Steward's research centers on deep foundation engineering with emphasis on pile setup mechanisms in coastal soils, LRFD design methodologies, soil-structure interaction phenomena, and trenchless pipeline rehabilitation systems. His work integrates advanced field testing, laboratory experimentation, and computational modeling to address infrastructure resilience challenges in geotechnically complex environments.

Analysis of his 15-year publication record reveals sustained focus on pile foundation behavior evolution, particularly time-dependent capacity development in soft coastal deposits across Louisiana and Alabama. His research bridges theoretical geomechanics with practical construction applications, increasingly incorporating environmental impact assessment for infrastructure rehabilitation technologies as evidenced by recent interdisciplinary collaborations.

As Faculty Advisor for the ASCE Student Chapter, he mentors undergraduate researchers. His externally funded projects include technical reports for the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LTRC Project 04-1GT), Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation (VCTIR #15-R11), and USDOT Research Project 930-839R, demonstrating strong industry-government research partnerships.